METHOD OF TREATING TISSUE WITH RADIO FREQUENCY VASCULAR ELECTRODE ARRAY

Abstract

A method of treating a patient is provided. The method comprises delivering an electrically conductive material within a vascular network, wherein the electrically conductive material embolizes in a region of the vascular network to form a vascular electrode array that assumes a geometry of the embolized region of the vascular network. The method may optionally comprise delivering a containment agent within the vascular network proximal to the delivered electrically conductive material to stabilize the vascular electrode array. The method further comprises applying electrical energy (e.g., radio frequency (RF) energy) to the vascular electrode array to therapeutically conduct electrical energy into a region of the targeted tissue adjacent the embolized region of the vascular network.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate the design and utility of preferred embodiments of the present invention, in which similar elements are referred to by common reference numerals. In order to better appreciate how the above-recited and other advantages and objects of the present inventions are obtained, a more particular description of the present inventions briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of tissue treatment system constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present inventions;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tissue treatment kit arranged in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present inventions;

FIGS. 3A-3F illustrate views of one preferred method of using the tissue treatment system of FIG. 1 to treat a vascularized tumor;

FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate views of one preferred method of using the tissue treatment kit of FIG. 2 to treat a vascularized tumor.

Claims

1. A method of treating targeted tissue adjacent a physiological vascular network contoured to the general shape and size of the targeted tissue, comprising: delivering an electrically conductive material within the vascular network, wherein the electrically conductive material embolizes in a region of the vascular network to form a vascular electrode array that assumes a geometry of the embolized region of the vascular network; andapplying electrical energy to the vascular electrode array to therapeutically conduct electrical energy into a region of the targeted tissue adjacent the embolized region of the vascular network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the embolized region of the vascular network comprises the entirety of the vascular network, and the adjacent region of the targeted tissue comprises the entirety of the targeted tissue.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the vascular network carries blood.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the vascular network supplies blood to the targeted tissue.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive material is introduced into the vascular network and the electrical energy is applied to the vascular electrode array via a single probe.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrical energy is radio frequency (RF) energy.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the adjacent region of the targeted tissue is ablated in response to the conduction of the electrical energy.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the vascular network comprises vessels that reduce in size at a periphery of the targeted tissue, and wherein the electrically conductive material comprises particles, each of which is sized to lodge within a vessel at the periphery of the targeted tissue.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive material comprises embolic particles suspended within an electrically conductive solution.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive material comprises embolic particles doped with metallic sub-particles.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the embolic material has a viscosity that, when introduced into the vascular network, allows the embolic material to naturally flow through the vascular network.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the embolic material has a viscosity that, when the electrical energy is applied, prevents the vascular network from closing.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the vascular electrode array comprises a main shaft and an array of tines extending from the main shaft.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the embolic material is biologically non-resorbable, so that the vascular electrode array is permanent or semi-permanent, the method further comprising applying additional electrical energy to the vascular electrode array, whereby the additional electrical energy is therapeutically conducted into any anomalies in the corresponding region of targeted tissue region that have occurred after the previous application of electrical energy.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising delivering a containment agent within the vascular network proximal to the delivered electrically conductive material to stabilize the vascular electrode array.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the targeted tissue is a tumor.

17. A method of treating a patient, comprising: delivering an electrically conductive material within a vascular network, wherein the electrically conductive material embolizes in the vascular network to form a vascular electrode array that assumes a geometry of the vascular network; andapplying electrical energy to the vascular electrode array to therapeutically conduct electrical energy into the vascular network.

18.-33. (canceled)

34. A method of treating a patient, comprising: delivering an electrically conductive material within a vascular network, wherein the electrically conductive material has a viscosity that, when introduced into the vascular network, allows the electrically conductive material to naturally flow through the vascular network;delivering a containment agent within the vascular network proximal to the delivered electrically conductive material to stabilize the electrically conductive material, thereby forming a vascular electrode array that assumes a geometry of the vascular network; andapplying electrical energy to the vascular electrode array to therapeutically conduct electrical energy into the vascular network.

35.-46. (canceled)