Patent Grant
9265555
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to surgical tools. More specifically, the present invention relates to thermally adjustable tools used in open and minimally invasive surgical procedures and interventional surgical and therapeutic procedures.
2. State of the Art
Surgery generally involves cutting, repairing and/or removing tissue or other materials. These applications are generally performed by cutting tissue, fusing tissue, or tissue destruction.
Current electrosurgery modalities used for cutting, coagulating, desiccating, ablating, or fulgurating tissue, have undesirable side effects and drawbacks.
Monopolar and bipolar electrosurgery modalities generally have disadvantages relating to “beyond the tip” effects. These effects are caused by passing alternating current through tissues in contact with conducting instruments or probes. One effect that is believed to be caused by both modalities is electrical muscle stimulation, which may interrupt surgical procedures and require administration of muscle relaxants.
Monopolar surgical instruments require electric current to pass through the patient. A return electrode is placed on the patient, often on the patient's thigh. Electricity is conducted from a “knife” electrode through the tissue and returns through the return electrode. Other forms of monopolar instruments exist, such as those which use the capacitive effect of the body to act as the return electrode or ground.
A low voltage high frequency waveform will incise, but has little hemostatic effect. A high voltage waveform will cause adjacent tissue hemostasis and coagulation. Therefore, when hemostasis is desirable, high voltage is used. The high voltage spark frequently has deeper tissue effects than the cut because the electricity must pass through the patient. The damage to the tissue extends away from the actual point of coagulation. Furthermore, there are complaints of return electrode burns. Yet, any reduction of voltage reduces the effectiveness of hemostasis. Further, the temperature of the spark or arc cannot be precisely controlled, which can lead to undesirable charring of target tissue.
Bipolar surgical instruments can produce tissue damage and problems similar to monopolar devices, such as sparking, charring, deeper tissue effects and electric current damage away from the application of energy with varying effects due to the differing electrical conductivity of tissue types, such as nerve, muscle, fat and bone, and into adjacent tissues of the patient. However, the current is more, but not completely, contained between the bipolar electrodes. These electrodes are also generally more expensive because there are at least two precision electrodes that must be fabricated instead of the one monopolar electrode.
Electrocautery resistive heating elements reduce the drawbacks associated with charring and deeper tissue damage caused by other electrosurgery methods. However, such devices often present other tradeoffs, such as the latency in controlling heating and cooling time, and effective power delivery. Many resistive heating elements have slow heating and cooling times, which makes it difficult for the surgeon to work through or around tissue without causing incidental damage.
Tissue destruction instruments generally heat tissue to a predetermined temperature for a period of time to kill, or ablate, the tissue. In some controlled heating of tissues, a laser is directed to an absorptive cap to reach and maintain a predetermined temperature for a predetermined amount of time. While this provides the benefits of thermal heating, it is expensive due to the complexity and expense of laser hardware.
In another tissue destruction procedure, a microwave antenna array is inserted into the tissue. These arrays are powered by instruments that cause microwave energy to enter and heat the tissue. While such devices are often effective at killing, or ablating, the desired tissue, they often cause deeper tissue effects than the desired area. Additionally the procedures can require expensive equipment.
Tissue destruction with resistively heated tools can produce unintended collateral tissue damage, in addition to having slow heating and cooling attributes.
Use of ferrite beads and alloy mixes in ceramics have been examined as alternatives. When excited by the magnetic field associated with high frequency current passing through a conductor, ferrite beads and alloy mixes in ceramics can reach high temperatures very quickly. However, one major problem with the use of these materials is that a large temperature differential can cause the material to fracture, especially when it comes into and out of contact with liquids. In other words, if a hot ferrite surgical instrument is quenched by a cooler pool of liquid, such as blood or other body fluids, the material's corresponding temperature drops rapidly and may cause the material to fracture. These fractures not only cause the tool to lose its effectiveness as a heat source, because the magnetic field is disrupted, but may require extraction of the material from the patient. Obviously, the need to extract small pieces of ferrite product from a patient is highly undesirable. Thus, there is a need for an improved thermal surgical tool.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved thermally adjustable surgical or therapeutic tool.
According to one aspect of the invention, a thermal surgical tool system is provided with a ferromagnetic coating over a conductor and an oscillating electrical energy source for generating heat at the location of the coating while generating an additional tissue effect through the use of a second energy mode. The oscillating electrical energy may cause inductive heating of the ferromagnetic coating (the inductive thermal mode). Moreover, the surgeon may be able to quickly turn the inductive thermal mode of the surgical or therapeutic tool on and off due to a small heat latency. This may provide the advantage of allowing the surgeon to only deliver a thermal effect at desired locations, which may also prevent the accidental delivery of undesired thermal effects while waiting for the tool to cool. At the same time, a similar or different tissue effect may be delivered simultaneously or in succession by the second mode. If similar, the use of both modes may cause an increase in efficiency. If different, the modes may complement each other such that drawbacks of a single mode may be reduced.
According to another aspect of the invention, a thermal surgical tool system may be configured so that the inductive thermal mode and/or a second mode may be altered by the surgeon in near real-time to achieve different tissue effects, including hemostasis, tissue welding and tissue destruction.
According to another aspect of the invention, controlled thermal tissue destruction may be performed by using the benefits of an inductive thermal mode combined with a second mode. The ferromagnetic coated conductor can be used as part of a cutting, lesioning or ablating probe with the ferromagnetic coating providing thermal heating, as well as a conductive path for monopolar electrosurgical energy to pass in the tissue.
According to another aspect of the invention, the second mode may include a monopolar or bipolar RF element, such as a monopolar or bipolar RF electrosurgical instrument, which may be used to cut and coagulate tissue. While RF electrosurgical instruments are highly effective, they tend to create tissue damage beyond the incision when used for sealing. Thus, an RF monopolar or bipolar electrosurgical instrument can be used in conjunction with a ferromagnetic coated conductor which seals the tissue being cut with the RF instrument.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, the multi-mode surgical tool may include a thermal and ultrasonic tool for cutting and/or treating tissue.
These and other aspects of the present invention are realized in a thermally adjustable surgical tool as shown and described in the following figures and related description.
Various embodiments of the present invention are shown and described in reference to the numbered drawings wherein:
It will be appreciated that the drawings are illustrative and not limiting of the scope of the invention which is defined by the appended claims. The embodiments shown accomplish various aspects and objects of the invention. It is appreciated that it is not possible to clearly show each element and aspect of the invention in a single figure, and as such, multiple figures are presented to separately illustrate the various details of the invention in greater clarity. Similarly, not every embodiment need accomplish all advantages of the present invention.
The invention and accompanying drawings will now be discussed in reference to the numerals provided therein so as to enable one skilled in the art to practice the present invention. The drawings and descriptions are exemplary of various aspects of the invention and are not intended to narrow the scope of the appended claims.
As used herein, the term “ferromagnetic,” “ferromagnet,” and “ferromagnetism” refers to any ferromagnetic-like material that is capable of producing heat via magnetic induction, including but not limited to ferromagnets and ferrimagnets.
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It will be appreciated that the thermal surgical tool uses heat to incise tissue and does not cut tissue in the sense of a sharp edge being drawn across the tissue as with a conventional scalpel. While the embodiments of the present invention could be made with a relatively sharp edge so as to form a cutting blade, such is not necessary as the heated coating discussed herein will separate tissue without the need for a cutting blade or sharp edge. However, for convenience, the term cutting is used when discussing separating tissue.
In the embodiment shown as thermal surgical tool system 10, a control mechanism, such as a foot pedal 20 is used to control output energy produced by a power subsystem 30. The energy from the power subsystem 30 may be sent via radio frequency (RF) or oscillating electrical energy along a cable 40 to a handheld surgical tool 50, which contains a conductor 60 having a section thereof circumferentially coated with a ferromagnetic coating 65. The ferromagnetic coating 65 may transfer the electrical energy into available thermal energy via induction and corresponding hysteresis losses in the ferromagnetic material disposed around a conductor wire 66. (While conductor wire is used for ease of reference, it will be appreciated that the conductor material need not be a wire and those skilled in the art will be familiar with multiple conductors which will work in light of the disclosure of the present invention.)
Application of a magnetic field (or magnetizing) to the ferromagnetic coating may produce an open loop B-H curve (also known as an open hysteresis loop), resulting in hysteresis losses and the resultant thermal energy. Electrodeposited films, such as a nickel-iron coating like PERMALLOY™, may form an array of randomly aligned microcrystals, resulting in randomly aligned domains, which together may have an open loop hysteresis curve when a high frequency current is passed through the conductor.
The RF energy may travel along the conductor's surface in a manner known as the “skin effect”. The alternating RF current in the conductor's surface produces an alternating magnetic field, which may excite the domains in the ferromagnetic coating 65. As the domains realign with each oscillation of the current, hysteresis losses in the coating may cause inductive heating.
The RF conductor from the signal source up to and including the tip, may form a resonant circuit at a specific frequency (also known as a tuned circuit). Changes in the tip “detune” the circuit. Thus, should the ferromagnetic coating 65 or the conductor wire 66 become damaged, the circuit may likely become detuned. This detuning should reduce the efficiency of the heating of the ferromagnetic coating 65 such that the temperature will be substantially reduced. The reduced temperature should ensure little or no tissue damage after breakage.
It should be understood that the handheld surgical tool 50 may include indicia of the power being applied and may even include a mechanism for controlling the power. Thus, for example, a series of lights 52 could be used to indicate power level, or the handheld surgical tool 50 could include a switch, rotary dial, set of buttons, touchpad or slide 54 that communicates with the power source 30 to regulate power and thereby affect the temperature at the ferromagnetic coating 65 to having varying effects on tissue. While the controls are shown on the foot pedal 20 or the handheld surgical tool 50, they may also be included in the power subsystem 30 or even a separate control instrument. Safety features such as a button or touchpad that must be contacted to power the handheld surgical tool 50 may be employed, and may include a dead man's switch.
While the ferromagnetic coating 65 heats through induction, it also provides a temperature cap due to its Curie temperature. A Curie temperature is the temperature at which the material becomes paramagnetic, such that the alignment of each domain relative to the magnetic field decreases to such an extent that the magnetic properties of the coating are lost. When the material becomes paramagnetic, the heating caused by induction may be significantly reduced or even cease. This causes the temperature of the ferromagnetic material to stabilize around the Curie temperature if sufficient power is provided to reach the Curie temperature. Once the temperature has dropped below the Curie temperature, induction may again start causing heating of the material up to the Curie temperature. Thus, the temperature in the ferromagnetic coating may reach the Curie temperature during inductive heating with the application of sufficient power, but will not likely exceed the Curie temperature.
The thermal surgical tool system 10 allows the power output to be adjustable in order to adjust the temperature of the tool and its effect on tissue. This adjustability gives the surgeon precise control over the effects that may be achieved by the handheld surgical tool 50. Tissue effects such as cutting, hemostasis, tissue welding, tissue vaporization and tissue carbonization occur at different temperatures. By using the foot pedal 20 (or some other user control) to adjust the power output, the surgeon (or other physician, etc.) can adjust the power delivered to the ferromagnetic coating 65 and consequently control the tissue effects to achieve a desired result.
Thermal power delivery can be controlled by varying the amplitude, frequency or duty cycle of the alternating current waveform, or alteration of the circuit to affect the standing wave driving the ferromagnetic coated conductor, which may be achieved by input received by the foot pedal 20, the power subsystem 30, or the controls on the handheld surgical tool 50.
One additional advantage achieved by the inductive heating is that the ferromagnetic material can be heated to a cutting temperature in a small fraction of a second (typically as short as one quarter of a second). Additionally, because of the relatively low mass of the coating, the small thermal mass of the conductor, and the localization of the heating to a small region due to construction of the handheld surgical tool 50, the material will also cool extremely rapidly (i.e. approximately one half of a second). This provides a surgeon with a precise thermal tool while reducing accidental tissue damage caused by touching tissue when the thermal tool is not activated.
It will be appreciated that the time period required to heat and cool the handheld surgical tool 50 will depend, in part, on the relative dimensions of the conductor 60 and the ferromagnetic coating 65 and the heat capacity of the structure of the surgical tool. For example, the above time periods for heating and cooling of the handheld surgical tool 50 can be achieved with a tungsten conductor having a diameter of about 0.375 mm and a ferromagnetic coating of a Nickel Iron alloy (such as NIRON™ available from Enthone, Inc. of West Haven, Conn.) about the tungsten conductor about 0.0375 mm thick and two centimeters long.
One advantage of the present invention is that a sharp edge is not needed. When power is not being supplied to the surgical tool, the tool will not inadvertently cut tissue of the patient or of the surgeon if it is dropped or mishandled. If power is not being supplied to the conductor wire 66 and coating 65, the “cutting” portion of the tool may be touched without risk of injury. This is in sharp contrast to a cutting blade which may injure the patient or the surgeon if mishandled.
Other additions may also be placed on the handpiece in various locations. This may include a sensor stem 12 including a sensor to report temperature or a light to illuminate the surgical area.
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It is our understanding that this thermal solution may provide advantages over monopolar and bipolar electrical systems currently available because the thermal damage may remain very close to the ferromagnetic surface of the coated region, whereas monopolar and bipolar electrical tissue ablation may frequently cause tissue damage for a distance away from the point of contact. It is our understanding that this method may also overcome disadvantages of other thermal devices based upon resistive heating, which may require more time to heat and cool, and thus present greater patient risk, while potentially having higher voltage requirements at the point of heating.
Furthermore, the thin ferromagnetic coating 65, disposed along a small segment of the conductor, may reduce the heating of other non-target material in the body, such as blood when working within the heart in atrial ablation—which can lead to complications if a clot is formed. The small thermal mass of the conductor wire 66, and localization of the heating to a small region provided by the construction of the tool (i.e. ferromagnetic coating 65 and adjacent structures) provides a reduced thermal path for heat transfer in directions away from the location of the ferromagnetic coating 65. This reduced thermal path may result in the precise application of heat at only the point desired. As this technology alone does not employ a spark or an arc like monopolar or bipolar technology, risks of ignition, such as by anesthetic gasses within or around the patient by sparks, are also reduced.
The thermal surgical tool system 10 may be used for a variety of therapeutic means—including sealing, “cutting” or separating tissue, coagulation, or vaporization of tissue. In one configuration, the thermal surgical tool system 10 may be used like a knife or sealer, wherein the surgeon is actively “cutting” or sealing tissue by movement of the ferromagnetic coating 65 through tissue. The thermal action of the embodiments disclosed here may have distinct advantages including substantial reduction, if not elimination, of deep tissue effects compared with those associated with monopolar and bipolar RF energy devices.
In another configuration, the ferromagnetic coated conductor 60 may be inserted into a lesion and set to a specific power delivery or variable power delivery based on monitored temperature. The thermal effects on the lesion and surrounding tissue may be monitored until the desired thermal effect is achieved or undesired effects are noticed. One advantage of the application of the ferromagnetic coated conductor is that it may be cost-effective compared to microwave or thermal laser modalities and avoids the undesired tissue effects of microwave lesion destruction. Thus, for example, a surgeon can insert the ferromagnetic coated conductor into a tumor or other tissue to be destroyed and precisely control the tissue damage that is created by activating the handheld surgical tool 50.
Sensors may be used to monitor conditions of the handheld surgical tool 50 or the tissue, such as an infrared detector or sensor stem 12. For instance, the temperature of the device or tissue may be important in performing a procedure. A sensor in the form of a thermocouple, a junction of dissimilar metals, thermistor or other temperature sensor may detect the temperature at or near the ferromagnetic coating 65 or tissue. The sensor may be part of the device, such as a thermocouple placed as a part of the conductor or near the ferromagnetic coating, or separate from the handheld surgical tool 50, such as a separate tip placed near the tissue or ferromagnetic coating 65. The temperatures may also be correlated with tissue effects, seen in
The handheld surgical tool 50 may be configured for repeat sterilization or single patient uses. More complex devices may be useful for repeat sterilization, while more simple devices may be more useful for single patient use.
A method for treating or cutting tissue may include the steps of: selecting a surgical tool having a cutting edge and a conductor disposed adjacent the cutting edge, at least a portion of which is coated with a ferromagnetic material; cutting tissue with the cutting edge; and applying oscillating electrical energy to the conductor to heat the ferromagnetic material and thereby treating the cut tissue.
Optional steps of the method may include the steps of: causing hemostasis within the cut tissue; using the heated ferromagnetic material to incise tissue; or using the heated ferromagnetic material to cause vascular endothelial welding.
Referring now to
In
The thermal surgical tool system 10 may be tuned by specifying the location of the ferromagnetic coating 65 with respect to the amplifier 140 (such as cable length) and tuning the high frequency signal to approximately a resonant standing wave such that current is maximized at the location of the ferromagnetic coating 65.
It should be recognized that the surgical tool may operate in a dynamic environment. Thus when used herein, approximately a standing wave means that a circuit may be tuned such that the signal may be near an optimal standing wave but may not achieve it, may only achieve the wave for small amounts of time, or may successfully achieve a standing wave for longer periods of time. Similarly, any use of “standing wave” without the modifier of approximate should be understood to be approximate in the context of the thermal surgical tool.
One method for achieving such current maximization is to connect the ferromagnetic coated conductor 60 to a cable 150 that is an odd multiple of one-quarter wavelengths in length and connected to the output of the amplifier 140. The design of the circuit having a resonant standing wave is intended to optimize power delivery to the ferromagnetic coating. However, in one embodiment, the power source 30 could be positioned at the location of (or closely adjacent to) the ferromagnetic coating 65, and tuning could be achieved with electrical components, all within a single handheld, battery-powered instrument. Alternatively, electrical components necessary for impedance matching can be located at the output stage of the amplifier 140. Further, electrical components, such as a capacitor or inductor, can be connected in parallel or series to the ferromagnetic coated conductor 60 at the location of the connection of the conductor wire 66 to the cable 150, in order to complete a resonant circuit.
Dynamic load issues can be caused by the interaction of the ferromagnetic coated conductor 60 with various tissues. These issues may be minimized by the standing current wave being maximized at the load location. Multiple different frequencies can be used, including frequencies from 5 megahertz to 24 gigahertz, preferably between 40 MHz and 928 MHz. In some regulated countries it may be preferable to choose frequencies in the ISM bands such as bands with the center frequencies of 6.78 MHz, 13.56 MHz, 27.12 MHz, 40.68 MHz, 433.92 MHz, 915 MHz, 2.45 GHz, 5.80 GHz, 24.125 GHz, 61.25 GHz, 122.5 GHz, 245 GHz. In one embodiment, the oscillator 130 uses an ISM Band frequency of 40.68 MHz, a class E amplifier 140, and a length of coaxial cable 150, all of which may be optimized for power delivery to a ferromagnetic coated tungsten conductor 60 with a ferromagnetic coating 65 consisting of a thickness of between 0.05 micrometer and 500 micrometers, and preferably between 1 micrometer and 50 micrometers. A useful estimate may be to start the ferromagnetic coating thickness at 10% of the conductor diameter, and up to 5 cm long. However, the ferromagnetic coating may be disposed as far along the length or along multiple regions of the conductor as where heating may be desired. (The ferromagnetic coating 65 may be formed from a Nickel Iron (NiFe) alloy, such as NIRON™ from Enthone, Inc. of West Haven, Conn., or other ferromagnetic coatings, including Co, Fe, FeOFe2O3, NiOFe2O3, CuOFe2O3, MgOFe2O3, MnBi, Ni, MnSb, MnOFe2O3, Y3Fe5O12, CrO2, MnAs, Gd, Dy, EuO, magnetite, yttrium iron garnet, aluminum, PERMALLOY™, and zinc.)
The size of the conductor, size of the ferromagnetic coating, associated thicknesses, shape, primary geometry, composition, power supply and other attributes may be selected based on the type of procedure and surgeon preferences. For example, a brain surgeon may desire a small instrument in a light handheld package designed for quick application within the brain, while an orthopedic surgeon may require a larger device with more available power for operation on muscle.
The conductor may be formed from copper, tungsten, titanium, stainless steel, platinum and other materials that may conduct electricity. Considerations for the conductor may include, but are not limited to mechanical strength, thermal expansion, thermal conductivity, electrical conduction/resistivity, rigidity, and flexibility. It may be desirable to form the conductor wire 66 of more than one material. Connection of two dissimilar metals may form a thermocouple. If the thermocouple were placed in the vicinity of or within the ferromagnetic coating, the thermocouple provides a temperature feedback mechanism for the device. Further, some conductors may have a resistivity that correlates to temperature, which may also be used to measure temperature.
The tuning of the power source 30 also reduces the amount of high frequency energy radiating into the patient to near zero, as voltage is low, and ideally zero, at the location of the ferromagnetic coating 65. This is in contrast to monopolar devices, which require a grounding pad to be applied to the patient, or bipolar devices, both of which pass current through the tissue itself. The disadvantages of these effects are well known in the literature.
In many of these embodiments discussed herein, the combination of cable length, frequency, capacitance and inductance may also be used to adjust efficiency and tool geometry by tuning the power source 30 to deliver maximum power to the ferromagnetic coating 65, and therefore, maximum heat to the tissue. A tuned system also provides for inherent safety benefits; if the conductor were to be damaged, the system would become detuned, causing the power delivery efficiency to drop, and may even shut down if monitored by an appropriate safety circuit.
The amount of power delivered to the patient tissue may be modified by several means to provide precise control of tissue effects. The power source 30 may incorporate a modulator 120 for power delivery as described above. Another embodiment uses modification of the magnetic field by altering the geometry of the conductor wire 66 and the ferromagnetic coating 65 through which it passes, such as would be caused by a magnet. Placement of the magnet nearby the ferromagnetic coating 65 would similarly alter the induction effect and thereby change the thermal effect.
While modulation has been discussed as a method to control power delivery, other methods may be used to control power delivery. In one embodiment, the output power, and correspondingly the temperature, of the tool is controlled by tuning or detuning the drive circuit, including the conductor wire 66 and ferromagnetic coated conductor 60.
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Preventing thermal spread may be desirable because the other heated portions of the handheld surgical tool 50 may cause undesired burns, even to the operator of the handheld surgical tool 50. In one embodiment, terminals 280 are used to conduct the electric current, but prevent or reduce thermal conduction beyond the ferromagnetic coated conductor.
The thermal surgical tool may also communicate wirelessly. In one embodiment, the user interface for monitoring and adjusting power levels may be housed in a remote, wirelessly coupled device 284. The wirelessly coupled device may communicate with a wireless module 286 contained within the thermal surgical tool system 10, including the handheld surgical tool 50, the control system (such as foot pedal 20), and/or the power subsystem 30. By housing the control interface and display in a separate device, the cost of the handheld surgical tool 50 portion may be decreased. Similarly, the external device may be equipped with more processing power, storage and, consequently, better control and data analysis algorithms.
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In one embodiment, the impedance matching network may be a balun 281. This may aid in power transfer as the balun 281 may match the impedance of the ferromagnetic coated conductor terminals 287 to the amplifier cable terminals 283 (shown here as a coaxial cable connection). In such a configuration, some baluns may be able to act as a heat sink and provide thermal isolation to prevent thermal spread from the thermal energy at the ferromagnetic coating 65 transferred by the wire conductor 220 to terminals 287. The appropriate matching circuitry may also be placed on a ceramic substrate to further sink heat away or isolate heat away from the rest of the system, depending on the composition of the substrate.
It should be recognized that these elements discussed in
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It should be appreciated that while the figures show a solid circular cross-section, the conductor cross-section may have various geometries. For instance, the conductor may be a hollow tubing such that it reduces thermal mass. Whether solid or hollow, the conductor may also be shaped such that it has an oval, triangular, square or rectangular cross-section.
As is also evident from
A method of using the surgical tool may include the steps of: selecting a conductor and plating a ferromagnetic coating upon the conductor.
Optional steps to the method may include: selecting a size of a conductor having a ferromagnetic coating disposed on a portion thereof according to a desired procedure; selecting a thermal mass of a conductor having a ferromagnetic coating disposed on a portion thereof according to a desired procedure; selecting a conductor from the group of loop, solid loop, square, pointed, hook and angled; configuring the oscillating electrical signal to heat the coating to between 37 and 600 degrees Centigrade; configuring the oscillating electrical signal to heat the coating to between 40 and 500 degrees Centigrade; causing the coating to heat to between about 58-62 degrees Centigrade to cause vascular endothelial welding; causing the coating to heat to between about 70-80 degrees Centigrade to promote tissue hemostasis; causing the coating to heat to between about 80-200 degrees Centigrade to promote tissue searing and sealing; causing the coating to heat to between about 200-400 degrees Centigrade to create tissue incisions; or causing the coating to heat to between about 400-500 degrees Centigrade to cause tissue ablation and vaporization. Treatment may include incising tissue, causing hemostasis, ablating tissue, or vascular endothelial welding.
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The thickness and composition of the thermal insulator may be adjusted to change the power delivery and thermal response time characteristics to a desired application. A thicker coating of thermal insulator 310 may better insulate the conductor 66 from the ferromagnetic coating 65, but may require an increased power compared with a thinner coating of thermal insulator 310 in order to induce a magnetic field sufficient to cause the ferromagnetic coating to heat.
In
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In one representative embodiment, the electrical conductor may have a diameter of 0.01 millimeter to 1 millimeter and preferably 0.125 to 0.5 millimeters. The electrical conductor may be tungsten, copper, other metals and conductive non-metals, or a combination such as two dissimilar metals joined to also form a thermocouple for temperature measurement. The electrical conductor may also be a thin coating of conductor, such as copper, dispersed around a non-metallic rod, fiber or tube, such as glass or high-temperature plastic, and the conductive material, in-turn, may be coated with a thin layer of ferromagnetic material. The magnetic film forms a closed magnetic path around the electrically conductive wire. The thin magnetic film may have a thickness about 0.01-50% and preferably of about 0.1% to 20% of the cross-sectional diameter of the wire. Due to the close proximity of the coating to the wire, a small current can produce high magnetic fields in the coating and result in significant temperatures. Since the magnetic permeability of this film is high and it is tightly coupled to the electrical conductor, low levels of current can result in significant hysteresis losses.
It is therefore possible to operate at high frequencies with low alternating current levels to achieve rapid inductive heating up to the Curie point. The same minimal thermal mass allows rapid decay of heat into tissue and/or the conductor with cessation of current. The tool, having low thermal mass, provides a rapid means for temperature regulation across a therapeutic range between about 37 degrees Celsius and 600 degrees Celsius, and preferably between 40 and 500 degrees Celsius.
While Curie point has been previously described as a temperature cap, instead, here a material with a Curie point beyond the anticipated therapeutic need may be selected and the temperature can be regulated below the Curie point.
While some tip geometries are shown in
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In another use, the snare 350 may be configured for tissue destruction. Once within the desired cavity, the snare may be extended such that a portion of the snare loop 355 touches the target tissue. The snare loop 355 may then be inductively heated such that a desired tissue effect occurs. For example, in one embodiment, the sheath may be placed near or in the heart and the snare loop 355 inductively heated to cause an interruption of abnormal areas of conduction in the heart, such as in atrial ablation.
Turning now to
A method of separating tissue may include the steps of: selecting a conductor having a ferromagnetic coating disposed on a portion thereof; placing the portion of the conductor having the ferromagnetic coating within a tube; inserting the tube into a cavity; deploying the portion of the conductor having the ferromagnetic coating within the cavity; and delivering an oscillating electrical signal to the conductor so as to heat the ferromagnetic coating while the heated ferromagnetic coating is in contact with a target tissue.
Optional steps may include: deploying step further comprises placing the ferromagnetic coating substantially around the target tissue; retracting the ferromagnetic coating portion of the conductor into the tube; causing hemostasis in the target tissue; forming the conductor into a bent geometry such that a portion of the conductor remains within the tube; and touching a ferromagnetic covered portion of the bent geometry to the target tissue.
A method of removing tissue may include the steps of: selecting a conductor having at least one portion having a ferromagnetic conductor disposed thereon; and placing the ferromagnetic conductor around at least a portion of the tissue and pulling the ferromagnetic conductor into contact with the tissue so that the ferromagnetic conductor cuts the tissue.
Optional steps may include: using a conductor having a plurality of ferromagnetic conductors in an array or passing an oscillating electrical signal through the conductor while the ferromagnetic material is in contact with the tissue.
Turning now to
In one embodiment, a loop geometry 270a may have multiple ferromagnetic coatings 65, 65′, and 65″ which are separated by gaps on a wire conductor 220. In another embodiment shown in
The conductor 220 which may be formed of an alloy having shape memory, such as Nitinol (nickel titanium alloy). A Nitinol or other shape memory alloy conductor can be bent into one shape at one temperature, and then return to its original shape when heated above its transformation temperature. Thus, a physician could deform it for a particular use at a lower temperature and then use the ferromagnetic coating to heat the conductor to return it to its original configuration. For example, a shape memory alloy conductor could be used to form snare which changes shape when heated. Likewise, a serpentine shape conductor can be made of Nitinol or other shape memory alloy to have one shape during use at a given temperature and a second shape at a higher temperature. Another example would be for a conductor which would change shape when heated to expel itself from a catheter or endoscope, and then enable retraction when cooled.
In another embodiment, the ferromagnetic coatings may be formed in such a way that an individual coating among the linear array may receive more power by tuning the oscillating electrical energy. The tuning may be accomplished by adjusting the frequency and/or load matching performed by the power source to specific ferromagnetic coatings.
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Similarly, the snare tool 370 may be extended, as seen in
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The ferromagnetic coating 65 can be used to contact the tissue directly, or, a non-stick coating, such as TEFLON (PTFE), or similar material, could be applied over the ferromagnetic coating and conductor to prevent sticking to the tissue. Alternatively, the ferromagnetic coating could be coated with another material, such as gold, to improve biocompatibility, and/or polished, to reduce drag force when drawing through tissue. The ferromagnetic coating could also be coated by a thermally-conductive material to improve heat transfer. In fact, a single coating may be selected to have multiple desirable properties.
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As used herein, a primary geometry means a structure to which a ferromagnetic coated conductor may be attached and which defines the shape of the tool. For example, a primary geometry could be a scalpel, tines of forceps, the face of a spatula, or a ball shape at the end of a probe. The conductor geometry, therefore, may be disposed upon the primary geometry, may extend through a hole in the primary geometry, and/or be embedded in the primary geometry. For example, a primary geometry may be a scalpel, while the conductor geometry may be the serpentine shape of a ferromagnetic coated wire upon the primary geometry.
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There are several advantages to use of such a cold cutting scalpel 223. The dual-use tool does not require the cold cutting scalpel 223 operator to remove one tool and replace it with another, causing risk of further damage and delay. Due to the ferromagnetic coating 65, the cold cutting scalpel 223 may also have a quick thermal response time (the heat-up and cool-down time) in the region of the ferromagnetic coating 65 such that the cold cutting scalpel 223 may be used on the targeted area and reduce waiting time. In cases where it may be desirable to heat the entire cold cutting scalpel, thermal response time may be further reduced by removing a center portion 222 of the blade (as seen in
In one embodiment, related to
Scalpel effects may also be enhanced by the thermal effects of the ferromagnetic coated wire conductor 220. In one embodiment, the scalpel may have multiple parts with different temperature ranges addressable to each part. For example, energy to the scalpel blade may be used to cut, while energy to the sides of the blade may be used to coagulate tissue walls. In another embodiment, the ferromagnetic coated wire conductor 220 may be activated to provide additional cutting ability when moving through more difficult tissue. In another embodiment, the ferromagnetic coated conductor may be activated to provide a more smooth cutting process in conjunction with the scalpel blade. A user control may be used to select a power setting to be delivered by a power source, which may be correlated with a desired temperature or tissue effect.
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A spatula geometry may be useful for various tissue effects and procedures. In one embodiment, the spatula is used for hemostasis or tissue welding during surgery. After an incision has been made, if needed, the spatula may be applied to the incised tissue to achieve hemostasis or even tissue welding. In another embodiment, the spatula is pressed into tissue and thermal energy is used for tissue ablation.
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While some primary geometries have been shown in singular form, the primary geometries may be used in combination. This may include two or more of the same primary geometry or differing primary geometries, including forceps applications. Each primary geometry may be commonly controlled for power or have separate power controls for each primary geometry. Furthermore, solid primary geometries may be altered similar to the scalpel primary geometry shown above such that portions of the primary geometries may be removed to reduce thermal mass and correspondingly, thermal response time.
While some of the primary geometries have been shown to have symmetrical construction, the primary geometries may have asymmetrical or directional construction such that only a portion of the primary geometry would be active. This may be accomplished by placing the ferromagnetic coating only on the portion of conductor wire residing on the area of the primary geometry desired to be active. For example, the spatula geometry may be configured to be active in one area if the ferromagnetic coated conductor is not symmetrically positioned on the spatula structure. This may be further enhanced by providing a pattern, such as a zigzag or serpentine pattern, on the desired active portion of the geometry.
In another embodiment, a portion of the primary geometry may be activated. By using multiple conductors with a ferromagnetic coating 65 attached to different portions of a primary geometry, a portion of the primary geometry may be selectively activated. For example, a scalpel geometry 232 may be divided into a tip portion 234 and a face portion 236 as shown in
By using multiple conductors with a ferromagnetic coating 65 attached to different portions of a primary geometry and separately controlled power sources, different portions of the primary geometry may be activated at the same time for different uses or effects. For example, an edge portion of a primary geometry may be activated for cutting while the blade portion may be activated for hemostasis.
A method of treating tissue may thus include the steps of: selecting a primary geometry having a conductor disposed thereon, the conductor having a ferromagnetic coating disposed on a portion thereof; disposing the ferromagnetic coating into contact with the tissue; and delivering an oscillating electrical signal to the conductor so as to heat the ferromagnetic coating and treat the tissue.
Optional steps of the method may include choosing a primary geometry selected from the group of scalpel, spatula, ball and pointed geometry. Treating of the tissue may include incising, causing hemostasis, ablating or vascular endothelial welding.
A method for tissue destruction may include the steps of selecting a conductor having a ferromagnetic coating disposed on a portion thereof; and delivering an oscillating electrical signal to the conductor so as to heat the ferromagnetic coating and destroy tissue.
Optional steps of the method may include monitoring the tissue and ceasing delivery of the oscillating electrical signal to the conductor when the desired tissue destruction has occurred or undesired tissue effects are to be prevented.
A method for forming a surgical instrument may include the steps of: selecting a primary geometry; coating a conductor with ferromagnetic material; and disposing the conductor on the primary geometry.
Optional steps of the method may include providing electrical connections on the conductor configured for receiving oscillating electrical energy.
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In
It will be appreciated that the catheter 270 or an endoscope could be provided with both a bipolar electrode and/or a thermal element. Thus, the benefits of such a catheter or endoscope could be combined with the multi-mode surgical tool discussed herein.
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In another embodiment, the inside of the substrate may contain the conductor 289 and ferromagnetic coating 275 such that the thermal effects are directed internally. An internal coating may allow delivery of a meltable solid to a desired area, such as in fallopian tube sealing and osteosynthesis applications.
Alternatively, the ferromagnetic coating 275 may surround the entrance to the central channel 260, such that the thermal effects may be directed in front of the tip. Having the thermal energy be directed in front of the central channel 260 entrance may aid in taking a tissue sample or removal of material, such as a polyp.
The plating may be accomplished through multiple methods. The substrate 285 may be extruded, molded or formed from various materials including high temperature thermoplastic, glass, or other suitable substrate material. The actual plating may be accomplished through electroplating, electroless plating, vapor deposition, or etching, or some combination thereof. Thus through the plating process, a catheter tip 288 may be formed with a ferromagnetic coating 275 on a conductor 289 with a continuous path.
The catheter may also have multiple channels. One channel may be a deployment channel for the ferromagnetic coated conductor. Another channel may be used for one or more sensors or sources, or even each sensor or source in its own channel—such as a temperature sensor, illumination source and endoscope. Other channels may include delivery, irrigation or aspiration of substances, including those associated with treatment, such as in osteosynthesis or fallopian tube sealing. In fact, the ferromagnetic coating may aid in the melting of such substances.
Turning now to
In one embodiment, tumor cells are caused to be tagged with materials that fluoresce when exposed to ultra-violet light. The endoscope 240 may contain a light source 266, and sensor or optics within the channel 262 that return the detected florescence. The ferromagnetic coating 65 portion of the endoscope 240 may then be directed at the tagged tissue for destruction.
In another embodiment, materials are deposited around target tissue or bone in a solidified condition. Once delivered, the materials are melted to conformation at the site by activation by the endoscope 240 described above. Examples of use of this embodiment include fallopian tube sealing and osteosynthesis. Furthermore, such materials could be removed by melting with the same or similar endoscope 240, and aspirated through a central lumen of the endoscope 240. In yet further applications, materials may be delivered in liquid form, and cured by a thermal heating process induced by the endoscope 240.
Alternatively, the conductor may be part of a bundle of fibers. The fibers may be contained within a catheter or otherwise bundled together. The conductor may have a ferromagnetic coating, while the other fibers may have other purposes that include visual observation, sensing, aspiration, or irrigation.
A method of tissue ablation may include the steps of: selecting a catheter with a ferromagnetic covered conductor; causing the ferromagnetic covered conductor to touch tissue to be ablated; and delivering power to the ferromagnetic covered conductor.
Optional steps may include: directing the catheter to the tissue through the aid of an endoscope; selecting a ferromagnetic coated conductor disposed on the catheter; selecting a ferromagnetic coated conductor contained within the catheter; causing the ferromagnetic coated conductor to be deployed from the catheter; or touching the ferromagnetic coated conductor to the tissue to be ablated.
A method of delivering a substance into a body may include the steps of: selecting a catheter with a ferromagnetic coated conductor; placing a substance in the catheter; inserting the catheter into a body; and causing power to be sent to the ferromagnetic coated conductor.
Optional steps may include: selecting a substance for osteosynthesis; selecting a substance for fallopian tube sealing; or melting the substance in the catheter.
A method of treating tissue may include the steps of: selecting a catheter with a ferromagnetic coated conductor; placing the catheter in contact with tissue; and selecting a power setting. The temperature range may correspond to a temperature range or desired tissue effect. The desired tissue effect may be selected from the group of vascular endothelial welding, hemostasis, searing, sealing, incision, ablation, or vaporization. In fact, the power setting may correspond to a desired tissue effect.
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In one embodiment, a conductor may be contained in one or more arms or tines 295 with tips 300 that may contain ferromagnetic coatings 65. The tips 300 may be inserted into tissue and temperature controlled until tissue destruction occurs or one or more undesired tissue effects occur. The tissue effects may be monitored through sensors in the tines 295 or externally.
Sensors may be placed in multiple ways. In one embodiment, the sensor is placed in the tine and away from a ferromagnetic coated tip 300. In another embodiment, one tip 300 may have a ferromagnetic coating, while an alternate tip 300 may have no coating, but a sensor contained within. The sensors may monitor tissue effects or return signals to be observed or processed. This may include sensors such as temperature sensors, cameras and remote imaging. In another embodiment, the temperature may be monitored through external imaging.
The sensor may thus form part of a feedback loop. By monitoring one or more tissue effects, the ablation tool may self-adjust power settings. This self-adjustment may allow the system to operate below the Curie point and still maintain a desired tissue effect and/or temperature range.
In the case where more than one tip 300 is used, the tips 300 with a ferromagnetic coating 65 may be individually controlled such that the thermal profile is concentrated in the desired area. This may also allow a second tine to monitor tissue effects, while a primary tine is used to perform the thermal function.
While a diagram has been shown of a multi-tip tissue ablation tool in
Besides the advantages of uses in tissue, the surgical tool may also be self-cleaning. In one embodiment, when activated in air, the tool may achieve a temperature sufficient to carbonize or vaporize tissue debris.
While the above embodiments have disclosed a ferromagnetic conductor operating solely in an inductive heating modality, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, a thermal surgical system may be combined with other technology to form multi-mode surgical instruments. The multi-mode surgical instruments may leverage the advantages of multiple energy modalities, while potentially reducing some inherent drawbacks of either modality by itself. (While a few examples are discussed, it will be appreciated that a multi-mode surgical modality can be accomplished by modifying virtually any of the embodiments discussed above.)
As used herein, multiplex means communicating the two or more signals over a single channel. In many cases, the channel may be a wire or cable, and the signals may be imposed independently, or simultaneously, over the single channel.
Different modalities may be combined. Thermal modalities may be formed from thermal elements that produce thermal energy and include, but are not limited to, inductive heating, conductive heating and resistive heating devices. Electrosurgery modalities may be formed from electrosurgical elements that transmit electrical energy into the target tissue and include, but are not limited to, monopolar and bipolar modalities. Mechanical modalities may be formed from ultrasonic elements that transmit mechanical energy in the form of pressure waves (also known as ultrasonic energy) into the target tissue and include, but are not limited to ultrasound tissue disruption. These modalities may have different advantages in combination.
Inductive heating may be the result of a substance's resistance to magnetic or electrical forces. Inductive heating may include such effects as the ferromagnetic effect, as described above, or a ferroelectric effect in which substances may resist changes in electric fields.
As used herein, “conductive heating” or “conductive heating element” refer to the transfer of thermal energy from a heat source to an endpoint through one or more intervening elements. For example, a surgical tool may use thermal heat transfer to cause thermal energy to be transferred from a heat source, such as a ferromagnetic inductive heater, through an intervening element, such as a wire, to a surgical tip, the endpoint. The process of conductive heating may be similar to the heat sinks described above; only the thermal transfer is directed to the tissue rather than another medium. See also the description of heat sinks relative to
Resistive heating may also be used as a thermal modality. A resistance heating element may resist the passage of electrical current and thus dissipate power in the form of thermal energy.
In the monopolar surgery modality, a surgeon may use a single electrode to pass electrical current through the body. Often, a second electrode is attached to the back, legs or the surgical table to complete the circuit. However, some monopolar devices also operate without a return electrode with low-powered high frequency current because of the body's self-capacitance acting as a return path by the displacement current.
In the bipolar surgery modality, the electric current may be applied to the patient through multiple electrodes. In one embodiment, the electric current is applied through electrodes on opposite tines of forceps. The tissue between the forceps may thus be heated.
In the ultrasound tissue disruption modality, ultrasonic vibrations are used to incise or destroy or ablate tissue in a region through mechanical energy transfer. In one embodiment, a handpiece contains a vibrating component or structure that mechanically transmits the ultrasonic vibrations in tissues.
It is believed that these modalities may have advantages and disadvantages when used as a sole modality. However, when multiple modalities are used together, some disadvantages may be reduced and potential advantages gained.
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In a multiplexed embodiment, the monopolar signal may be prevented from using the cable 530 as the return path by a filter 531. The filter may prevent the monopolar signal from returning along the cable 530, but allow the thermal signal to return along the cable 530. While the filter 531 is shown between the power supply 515 and the handpiece 505, it may be integrated elsewhere along the signal path, including within the power supply, within the handpiece or on the return path just after the ferromagnetic coating.
The signal may be multiplexed in many different ways. The signal may be generated by a specialized signal generator, multiplexed before the amplifier, multiplexed after an amplifier, or even multiplexed at the handpiece.
The handpiece 505 may include a handle 520 and surgical tip 525. In some embodiments, there may be a cable 530 connection between the handpiece 505 and the power supply 515. The handpiece may also contain controls for operating the surgical tip, such as a button 535.
The surgical tip may be constructed in several different ways. One surgical tip may accept a multiplexed signal. Another surgical tip may require separate signal pathways and structures. Thus a surgical tool may have an electrosurgical electrode, such as a monopolar electrode, and a thermal element as separate structures. These structures may be totally separate, adjacent or overlap.
In the multiplexed embodiment, the surgical tip may be constructed of a single ferromagnetic coating upon a conductor. The ferromagnetic coating receives two waveforms corresponding to a monopolar modality and an inductive heating modality. The monopolar waveform is transmitted through the ferromagnetic coating to the patient, while the inductive heating waveform (or signal) is converted to thermal energy at the ferromagnetic coating. A filter may insure the transfer of the monopolar signal to the tissue as it blocks the monopolar electrical signal return path. The monopolar waveform may be between 200 kHz and 2 MHz. Preferably, the monopolar signal may be between 350 kHz and 800 kHz. The inductive heating waveform may be, for example, between 5 MHz to 24 GHz, and preferably between 40 MHz and 928 MHz.
In one embodiment, the monopolar signal is between 350 kHz and 800 kHz. The inductive heating waveform is in the 40.68 MHz ISM band. The waveforms are multiplexed by the power supply 515 and sent along the cable 530 to the handpiece 520. (Alternatively, other methods of multiplexing the waveforms may also be used, such as joining two wires carrying signals after the power supply or other multiplexing methods.)
The handpiece 520 connects the cable 530 to the surgical tip 525 which may be composed of a ferromagnetic coating on a conductor. The ferromagnetic coating converts the 40.68 MHz signal into thermal energy, while transmitting the 350 kHz to 800 kHz monopolar signal through the tissue and eventually to the secondary electrode 510.
The monopolar modality may maintain the advantages of cutting, while the inductive heating modality produces hemostasis and may reduce the force required to draw the surgical tip through tissue. Thus, when in use, the surgeon may use RF waveforms suited to cutting, while using the thermal contact of the coated portion for sealing or hemostasis. Thus deep tissue effects associated with RF coagulation or fulguration waveforms or blended waveforms may be minimized while maintaining the benefit of RF cutting. The combined instrument may also be configured with separate RF frequencies or current pathways to optimize both ferromagnetic inductive heating and electrosurgical cutting.
In a separate signal pathway embodiment, the surgical tip 525 may be composed of a monopolar electrode disposed upon a thermal structure. The heat from the thermal structure, such as a ferromagnetic coated conductor, may be transferred through the electrode to tissue. In some embodiments, the thermal structure will be separated from the monopolar electrode by an electrically insulating, thermally conductive coating. The electrode and thermal structure may have individual electrical connections such that the correct signal may be sent to each.
The electrode may also be disposed next to the thermal structure. In one embodiment, the monopolar electrode is arranged such that the electrode encounters the tissue first, thereby cutting or ablating tissue. The trailing thermal structure may then encounter the freshly cut or ablated tissue and apply thermal hemostasis. Thus, it will be apparent that the modalities may be used completely independently, simultaneously on the same tissue, or closely following one another depending on the surgical instruments configuration and the effects desired by the physician.
While the embodiments above discuss the multi-mode surgical tool 500 as using a monopolar modality for cutting and a thermal modality for hemostasis, it should be recognized that either modality may be adapted to other tissue effects, whether the same or different. For example, in one embodiment, the monopole electrode and the thermal element are active at the same time. The monopolar electrode waveform and the thermal element waveform may both be optimized for incising. This may make the incision through tissue easier and more effective. In another embodiment, the thermal structure may be used for incising and the monopolar electrode may be used for hemostasis.
The monopolar multi-mode device may use the functions of either modality in tandem or separately. In fact, the oscillators may be separately adjusted. In an embodiment, a monopolar modality and thermal modality are activated at different times. The monopolar modality is activated to incise tissue. If hemostasis is needed, the thermal portion may be activated on demand, and may remain deactivated until required by the surgeon.
The power supply 515 may control the modalities separately or in tandem. For instance, a press of button 535 may cause both modalities to activate in tandem. Or, the button 535 may be configured to activate one or both modalities. However, the power supply may also control the power delivery to each modality via separate controls 540, which may be separately adjustable.
The multi-mode surgical tool may be disposed upon a catheter. The catheter may allow more functionality such as sensing, visual feedback, irrigation, aspiration, or substance delivery. In fact, the catheter may be flexible or rigid depending on the desired application.
A process of using a thermally adjustable multi-mode surgical tool may include the steps of: generating a first oscillating electrical signal forming an approximate standing wave with maximum current and minimum voltage substantially at a first load disposed along a conductor which has a portion of the conductor coated by ferromagnetic material to create thermal effects in tissue; and generating a second oscillating electrical signal along a conductor to create electrosurgical tissue effects in tissue.
The process may include the optional steps of: creating hemostasis in the tissue; causing tissue cutting; generating the first oscillating electrical signal and the second oscillating electrical signal in a single conductor; or generating the first oscillating electrical signal and the second oscillating electrical signal during overlapping periods of time. In fact the conductor may comprise a monopolar electrode.
A method for incising and sealing tissue may include the steps of: selecting a surgical tool, the tool having a conductor with a ferromagnetic coating disposed on a portion thereof, the tool also having an electrode; disposing the electrode in contact with tissue; disposing the ferromagnetic coating into contact with the tissue; delivering an oscillating electrical signal to the electrode so as incise the tissue; and delivering an oscillating electrical signal to the conductor so as to heat the ferromagnetic coating and seal the tissue.
The method may include the optional steps of: heating the ferromagnetic coating to provide hemostasis and selecting a monopolar electrode.
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The probe 420 may operate through the use of more than one modality. In one embodiment, an electrode may be optimized for incising for insertion into the tissue, while a thermal element is optimized for tissue ablation. Both the electrode and the thermal element may be contained in or near the tip 422. Thus the electrosurgical element may allow insertion of the instrument into the desired tissue, while the thermal portion may be used for ablation. Similarly, the tool may also be configured for RF tissue ablation and thermal incision.
In one embodiment of a method of using the probe 420, the probe 420 may be guided stereotactically into a tissue to selectively lesion a functional path. Common examples include functional stereotactic brain lesioning in the treatment of movement disorders, pain, and depression. One advantage compared against commonly employed single modality monopolar and single modality bipolar probe configurations is that the shape of the lesion may be controlled by the thermal conduction properties and/or electrical impedance properties, giving the clinician better ability to adjust the shaping effect in the tissue. Alternatively, ablation for intended gradual heat destruction of a tissue can be achieved with similar designs, typically employing higher temperatures. Such an embodiment is easily adapted for treatment of tumor metastases in various organs. Another advantage of the multiple modalities may be giving the ability to target tissue where the electrical and thermal effects overlap, rather than choosing a less perfect targeting of a single modality.
As illustrated in
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A method of tissue ablation may include the steps of: selecting a tip with electrosurgical and thermal modalities; inserting the tip into the undesired tissue; and activating one or more of the modalities within the undesired tissue.
A method for treating tissue may include the steps of: selecting a surgical handpiece and delivering thermal energy of, at least, 58 degrees Celsius to the tissue from the handpiece and delivering electrical energy from the handpiece to the tissue to thereby treat the tissue.
It should be recognized that multi-mode surgical tips with a ferromagnetic coating may have a relevant Curie point large enough to encompass a desired set of therapeutic temperature ranges without crossing the Curie point.
Turning now to
The multi-mode forceps combine thermal heating and bipolar electrosurgery modalities into a multi-mode forceps tip 560. The forceps tip 560 may allow for cutting using an electrosurgical element, and sealing with the thermal portion to thereby provide improved cutting and sealing of the tissue. The surgical tool may also allow for other tissue effects to be applied to tissue either by both modalities in tandem or as needed. In other words, the electrosurgical modality and the thermal modality may be used at different times or may overlap. For example, a physician may contact tissue with the bipolar element to incise the tissue until he or she encounters undesired bleeding, at which time he or she can dispose the thermal element adjacent the bleeding tissue and activate the thermal modality for hemostasis. This can be done after stopping the bipolar modality, or while the bipolar modality is still being used (e.g. closely following the bipolar modality as the physician incises tissue. Controls 540 can be provided to prevent both being used simultaneously or overlapping, or the user can control when each modality is used.
Similarly, the surgical tool may also use both modalities to apply similar tissue effects or different tissue effects. A control such as a handpiece control 561 may be provided to allow the physician to selectively use the bipolar modality, the thermal modality or both.
As in the monopolar multiplexed environment, the bipolar signal may be prevented from using the electrical return path of the thermal element by a filter 533. Instead, the electrosurgical signal may be directed through tissue to access the return path.
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Various adaptations to the multi-mode forceps may be used to achieve desired effects. The combined instrument may multiplex RF frequencies or use separate current pathways 404 to optimize both thermal and electrosurgical modalities. Various tip geometries may be developed for such a hybrid instrument, including coapting bipolar forceps clad at the tips with thin magnetic film. The tip may have a coating 402 or partial coating to aid in conduction of the signal or reducing the amount of coagulum buildup. The RF energy transfer may also be enhanced through the addition of conductive material during surgery, such as the addition of saline solution.
Turning now to
Adding a bipolar modality to the forceps tips 410 may improve the singular thermal modality. The sensor may continue to report temperature at the tines 414 or 414′, but its output may be used to make decisions on adjustments to both modalities.
Similar to the monopolar-thermal hybrid device, a bipolar-thermal device may contain bipolar electrodes and a thermal element. The tines 414 may include a first bipolar electrode 415a which brings current to the tine and a second or return bipolar electrode 415b for providing a return path for the current (or vice-versa). The thermal element may include a conductor 417 and a ferromagnetic coating 419, which may be sufficiently thin to avoid cracking or fracture as discussed above. As with the monopolar-thermal device, a single wire, conductor, etc., may serve as both as an electrode of the bipolar modality and the conductor of the thermal element (i.e. 415a and 417 can be the same wire) as shown in
A sensor may be placed within a multi-mode device to detect temperature or tissue effects. The information from the sensor may then be used to adjust the output of the multi-mode device. In one embodiment, the sensor may detect tissue charring. The generator may then be notified to scale back the power delivered to the bipolar or thermal system that may have caused the charring.
Turning now to
The bipolar multi-mode surgical tool may also be disposed upon a catheter. The catheter may be rigid or flexible. The catheter may also be configured for aspiration, irrigation, substance delivery, visual feedback, sensing with a sensor, or other applications.
A method of treating tissue may include the steps of: selecting a surgical tool with electrosurgical and thermal modalities; disposing a tip in contact with tissue; and activating at least one of the modalities.
The method may optionally include the steps of: selecting a desired temperature range; selecting a bipolar modality; selecting a power setting corresponding to a desired tissue effect; selecting a thermal modality with a ferromagnetic coated conductor; activating a first modality for incising; activating a second modality for at least one of vascular endothelial welding and hemostasis; activating the modalities such that the modalities' active period overlaps; or comprises activating the modalities such that the modalities' active period is prevented from overlapping.
A method of incising tissue may include the steps of: selecting a surgical tool with bipolar and inductive heating modalities; activating the bipolar modality for incising; disposing the tip adjacent contact with tissue; and activating the inductive heating modality for at least one of vascular endothelial welding and hemostasis.
The method may optionally include the steps of: comprises maintaining the bipolar modality active while activating the heating modality to thereby incise tissue and create hemostasis at substantially the same time; or using a surgical instrument having a pair of arms with a bipolar electrode and a thermal element on the same arm.
Turning now to
As the tissue is disrupted by ultrasonic (or vibrational) energy, a thermal element, such as a coated ferromagnetic wire or ferromagnetic coated conductor 436, at the tip of the body 434 may be heated to achieve a desired thermal effect, such as hemostasis. (The ferromagnetic coating acts as a load for a waveform as discussed above.)
While the above diagram is shown to operate linearly, other geometrical motions may be used. For example, in one embodiment, the body oscillates in a circular motion. The rotation may be centered around the axis shown by arrows 432. In another embodiment, the body may oscillate in both the axis direction of arrows 432 and circularly around the axis shown by arrows 432.
In use, a power source provides inductive heating signals, i.e. waveforms as discussed above, to the conductor 436 to provide a thermal modality. At the same time and/or independently, an ultrasonic signal, i.e. a signal which drives an ultrasonic transducer 433 or stack of ultrasonic transducers (433 and 433′), such as piezoelectric transducers, are provided to move the body to create ultrasonic movement. Thus, the body 434 can provide ultrasonic treatment before, during or after thermal treatment is being applied.
The tool may be used for incising, hemostasis, vascular endothelial welding, tissue ablation or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the ultrasonic modality may be used to incise, while the thermal modality may be used for hemostasis. In another embodiment, the ultrasonic modality is used to insert a tip into tissue and the thermal modality is used for tissue ablation.
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The power supply 515 may provide ultrasonic and thermal signals to drive respective loads (i.e. the body 580 and the thermal element 585). (A similar power supply could be used with the embodiment shown in
In addition to signals to create ultrasonic and thermal energy, the power supply 515 may be configured to provide suction, for example, through a lumen or aspirating bore 590, through the grip 575 of the handpiece 570 and through a tube/cable 530 to a reservoir. In the embodiment shown in
The handpiece 570 may contain a grip 575, body 580 (which forms a lumen, bore or catheter) and surgical tip 585. In one embodiment, the grip 575 contains an actuator or control 591 that causes ultrasonic vibration of tip of the body or catheter 580. The tip of the catheter 580 may include a heating element, such as a ferromagnetic coated conductor 585. As the ultrasonic or thermal energy is applied to the tissue, the catheter bore 590 may aspirate any disrupted tissue, including fat, or associated effects.
In one embodiment, the multi-mode surgical tool 569 may provide a delivery or irrigation mechanism. In one embodiment, a substance may be placed in the catheter lumen 590. The ultrasonic mode may be used to disrupt enough tissue to arrive at a targeted delivery site for the substance to be deposited. At the targeted location, the thermal element of the multi-mode surgical tool 569 may be activated such that the substance may melt and be deposited at the delivery site. If needed, the thermal element may be used for hemostasis or tissue welding during the insertion or removal of the tool.
Similarly, the tool 569 may be used for delivery of other substances through the catheter. While much of the discussion above centers on aspiration, the tool may be used to deliver substances through the catheter. For instance, the tool 569 may be used to deliver saline solution, medication, etc., including in a heated state if desired.
In one embodiment, the catheter may have a plurality of bores. One bore may be configured to aspirate, while another bore may be configured to irrigate.
Like the other embodiments discussed above, variety of sensors 593 may be used. They could be disposed in the body 580 or could be inserted through the lumen 590. This could be accomplished via a port 592. It will be appreciated that the sensors could be temperature sensors, sensors which monitor tissue condition, devices for visualization, i.e. cameras, CCD sensors or fiber-optic wires, etc. Additionally, the power source 515 could be made to react to the sensor, such as, for example, adjusting to keep heat in the thermal element 585 in a desired range for the desired effect in the tissue, i.e. hemostasis, vascular welding, searing, incision or ablation.
A process of delivering power to a thermally adjustable multi-mode surgical tool may include the steps of: delivering a first oscillating signal to a conductor configured such that the first oscillating electrical signal forming an approximate standing wave with maximum current and minimum voltage substantially at a first load comprising a portion of the conductor coated by ferromagnetic material; and delivering a second oscillating signal to a second electrical connection configured such that a second oscillating electrical signal will drive an ultrasonic transducer to thereby move a second load ultrasonically.
The process may include the optional steps of: placing the first load adjacent tissue and wherein the first oscillating electrical signal heats a thermal element to a temperature causing hemostasis in the tissue and the second oscillating electrical signal causes the second load to incise tissue; applying suction adjacent the first load and second load to aspirate incised tissue; or multiplexing the first oscillating signal and the second oscillating signal in a communications channel to the first load and second load.
A method for incising and sealing tissue may include the steps of: selecting a surgical tool having a conductor with a ferromagnetic coating disposed on a portion thereof and a transducer which drives a body; disposing the body and ferromagnetic coating into contact with the tissue; delivering an oscillating electrical signal to the transducer so as to incise the tissue; and delivering an oscillating electrical signal to the conductor so as to heat the ferromagnetic coating and apply heat to the tissue.
The method may also include the optional steps of: heating the ferromagnetic coating to promote tissue hemostasis or selecting an ultrasonic transducer.
A method for tissue ablation may include the steps of: selecting a tip with ultrasonic and thermal modalities; inserting the tip into the undesired tissue; and activating one or more of the modalities within the undesired tissue.
The method may include the optional steps of: selecting a ferromagnetic coating as the thermal modality and aspirating residue from an area proximate to the undesired tissue.
It will be appreciated that the various waveforms discussed for the thermal element may be used with each of the embodiments discussed herein. Additionally, it will be appreciated that aspects such as sensors and control responsive to sensors may be applied to each of the embodiments and are therefore not repeated in detail with respect to each. Likewise, aspects of the thermal element, such as the use of a non-stick coating, and formation of the thermal element may be used across embodiments if desired.
Several advantages may be noted in use of embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment, optimal thermal hemostatic effect in association with tissue ultrasound disruption and suction can be achieved for tumor debulkment as applied in solid organs, like the brain. Alternatively, laparoscopic vascular dissection and detachment can be more optimally achieved compared to ultrasonic effects alone.
While a catheter has been discussed only with respect to the ultrasonic modality, it should be noted that the catheter embodiment may be applied to any of the multi-mode energy modalities and achieve each of the benefits provided by the aspiration, sensors, etc. Similarly many of the benefits of the ultrasonic and thermal multi-mode catheter embodiment may be achieved with the other multi-mode embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate modifications to such embodiments to provide these multiple modalities of treatment.
Turning now to
According to the spectrum disclosed above, power delivery settings corresponding to the desired temperature range may be included in the power delivery switch. In one embodiment, the foot pedal may have several stops that indicate to the surgeon the likely tip temperature range of the current setting.
It will be appreciated that the thermal surgical tool system in accordance with the present invention will have a wide variety of uses. Not only can it be used on humans, it can also be use to cut tissue of other animals, such as in the context of a veterinarian or simply cutting tissues or biomaterials, such as those used for implantation, into smaller pieces for other uses.
Certain embodiments of the surgical system may have broad application within surgery as well. A loop geometry may have advantages in cutting, coagulation and biopsy applications. A blade geometry may have advantages for cutting and hemostasis applications. The point geometry may have advantages in dissection and coagulation applications, and in particular, neurodissection and coagulation. However, the application of a geometry may be further configured and tailored to an application by diameter, length, material characteristics and other characteristics discussed above.
While the present invention has been described principally in the area of surgical tools and the treatment of live tissue (though it can be used on dead tissue as well), it will be understood that a tool made in accordance with the present invention and the methods discussed herein may have other uses. For example, a cutting tool could be formed for butchering meat. Whether the meat is fresh or frozen, the tool can be useful. For example, a cutting blade which is heated to a high temperature will cut through frozen meat. However, when power is no longer supplied, the “cutting” edge is safe to the touch. Likewise, cutting meat with a hemostasis setting would slightly sear the exterior of the meat, locking in juices. Other uses of the instruments discussed herein will be understood by those skill in the art in light of the present description.
There is thus disclosed an improved multi-mode thermally adjustable surgical tool. It will be appreciated that numerous changes may be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the claims.
A surgical tool according with the present disclosure may include: an electrosurgical electrode and a thermal element. Additionally, the tool may include one or more of the following: the electrosurgical electrode being a monopolar electrode; the thermal element being a ferromagnetic coated conductor; the thermal element being separate from the electrosurgical electrode; the electrosurgical electrode being configured to operate as a monopolar electrode and wherein the thermal element being a conductor having a ferromagnetic coating; the thermal element also functions as the electrosurgical electrode; it uses a multiplexed signal; it includes means for generating a multiplexed signal; the multiplexed signal further comprises a monopolar signal; the monopolar signal being between 200 kHz and 2 MHz; the monopolar signal being between 350 kHz and 800 kHz; an inductive heating signal; the inductive heating signal being between 5 MHz and 24 GHz; the inductive heating signal being between 40 MHz and 928 MHz; a catheter, wherein electrode and element are disposed upon the catheter; the catheter being rigid; the catheter being flexible; the catheter being configured for aspiration; the catheter being configured for substance delivery; the catheter further comprises at least one sensor; and/or the catheter further comprises means for generating visual feedback.
Likewise, a multi-mode surgical tool may include: a tip comprising an electrical conductor; a ferromagnetic coating covering at least a portion of the electrical conductor, the ferromagnetic coating being selected from ferromagnetic coatings which will convert some frequencies of oscillating electrical energy into thermal energy and will pass other frequencies of oscillating electrical energy into tissue. The tool may be configured to include one or more of the following: means for sending a multiplexed signal into the electrical conductor; the tip further comprising an electrosurgical electrode; the electrosurgical electrode being a monopolar electrode; and/or the ferromagnetic coating being configured to simultaneously disperse thermal energy and oscillating electrical energy into tissue.
A process of using a thermally adjustable multi-mode surgical tool may include: generating a first oscillating electrical signal forming an approximate standing wave with maximum current and minimum voltage substantially at a first load disposed along a conductor which has a portion of the conductor coated by ferromagnetic material to create thermal effects in tissue; and generating a second oscillating electrical signal along a conductor to create electrosurgical tissue effects in tissue. The process may also include one or more of the following: the first oscillating electrical signal creating hemostasis in the tissue and the second oscillating electrical signal being configured to result in tissue cutting; generating the first oscillating electrical signal and the second oscillating electrical in a single conductor; wherein the method comprises generating the first oscillating electrical signal and the second oscillating electrical signal during overlapping periods of time; and/or the conductor comprising a monopolar electrode.
A multi-mode surgical lesioning probe may include: a tip having an electrical conductor; and a ferromagnetic coating covering a portion of the conductor. The probe may also include one or more of the following: a second coating covering at least a portion of the ferromagnetic coating; a power source delivering an oscillating current to the tip; a second tip, wherein the second tip comprises a sensor; the power source being configured to react to the sensor; the sensor being configured to measure temperature; the sensor being configured to measure transferred heat; the sensor being configured to measure tissue properties; the sensor being configured to allow visual observation of tissue; the power supply being configured to measure a temperature indicator of the ferromagnetic coating and adjust an output to maintain a predetermined therapeutic temperature range in tissue; the second coating comprising a thin layer of high temperature resistant, non-stick material; and/or the second coating comprises a highly thermally conductive, biocompatible material.
A thermally adjustable multi-mode surgical tip may include, for example: a cable; a small diameter electrical conductor having a proximal and distal end, wherein the proximal end being configured to receive radiofrequency energy from the cable; a thin plating of ferromagnetic material disposed circumferentially about the electrical conductor, wherein the ferromagnetic material being configured with a Curie point sufficiently high to encompass a desired set of therapeutic temperature ranges; and an electrosurgical element connected configured to receive power from the cable and configured to release radiofrequency energy into nearby tissue. The tip may also include: the electrosurgical element being a monopolar element.
A method for incising and sealing tissue may include: selecting a surgical tool, the tool having a conductor with a ferromagnetic coating disposed on a portion thereof, the tool also having an electrode; disposing the electrode in contact with tissue; disposing the ferromagnetic coating into contact with the tissue; delivering an oscillating electrical signal to the electrode so as incise the tissue; and delivering an oscillating electrical signal to the conductor so as to heat the ferromagnetic coating and seal the tissue. The method may also include: the ferromagnetic coating being heated to promote tissue hemostasis; or the electrode being a monopolar electrode.
A method for tissue ablation, may include: selecting a tip with electrosurgical and thermal modalities; inserting the tip into the undesired tissue; and activating one or more of the modalities within the undesired tissue.
A method for treating tissue may include: selecting a surgical handpiece and delivering thermal energy at, at least, 58 degrees Celsius to the tissue from the handpiece and delivering electrical energy from the handpiece to the tissue to thereby treat the tissue. The method may also include the thermal element being configured to reach sufficient temperature for self cleaning when a power source is being applied thereto.
In accordance with the present disclosure, a multi-mode surgical tool may include a bipolar electrode and a thermal element. The multi-mode tool may also include one or more of following: the thermal element being a ferromagnetic coated conductor; the thermal element being separate from the electrosurgical electrode; the thermal element functioning as the bipolar electrode; a multiplexed signal; means for generating a multiplexed signal; the multiplexed signal including a bipolar signal; the bipolar signal being between 200 kHz and 2 MHz; the bipolar signal being between 350 kHz and 800 kHz; the multiplexed signal further including an inductive heating signal; the inductive heating signal being between 5 MHz and 24 GHz; the inductive heating signal being between 40 MHz and 928 MHz; a catheter, wherein the electrode and element are disposed upon the catheter; the catheter being rigid; the catheter being flexible; the catheter being configured for aspiration; the catheter being configured for substance delivery; the catheter being configured for irrigation; the catheter having a meltable substance disposed therein which can be released from the catheter by generating heat in the thermal element; the catheter having at least one sensor disposed therein; the catheter having a visualization device; a power supply for providing an energy waveform to the bipolar electrode and a different energy waveform to the create heat in the thermal element; a conductor for providing energy to the bipolar electrode and a thermal element and means for providing a multiplexed signal in the conductor; a power supply and a control for selectively activating the bipolar electrode and the thermal element individually or in combination; the thermal element being disposed on the bipolar electrode; a nonstick coating disposed on at least one of the bipolar electrode and the thermal element; a biocompatible coating disposed over at least a portion of the thermal element; and the thermal element being self cleaning.
In accordance with the present disclosure, multi-mode surgical forceps may include: at least two tips; a bipolar electrode disposed on at least one of the at least two tips; and a thermal element disposed on at least one of the at least two tips. The forceps may also include one or more of: the thermal element and the bipolar electrode being disposed on the same tip; the thermal element and the bipolar electrode being disposed on separate tips; a non-stick coating disposed on at least one of the at least two tips; a power source for delivering a multiplexed signal to the thermal element and bipolar electrode; the thermal element being separate from the bipolar electrode; the thermal element functions as the bipolar electrode; and the thermal element comprises a ferromagnetic coating.
A method of treating tissue according to the present disclosure may include: selecting a surgical tool with electrosurgical and thermal modalities; disposing a tip in contact with tissue; and activating at least one of the modalities. The method may also include one or more of the following: the electrosurgical modality further comprising a bipolar modality; selecting a desired temperature range; the temperature range corresponding to a desired tissue effect; selecting a power setting corresponding to a desired tissue effect; the thermal modality further comprising a ferromagnetic coated conductor; the activating step further comprising, activating a first modality for incising; and activating a second modality for at least one of vascular endothelial welding and hemostasis; the activating step further comprising, activating the modalities such that the modalities' active period overlaps; and the activating step further comprising activating the modalities such that the modalities active period is prevented from overlapping.
In accordance with the present disclosure, a method of incising tissue, may include: selecting a surgical tool with bipolar and inductive heating modalities; activating the bipolar modality for incising; disposing the tip adjacent contact with tissue; activating the inductive heating modality for at least one of vascular endothelial welding and hemostasis. The method may also include one or more of the following: maintaining the bipolar modality active while activating the heating modality to thereby incise tissue and create hemostasis at substantially the same time; and using a surgical instrument having a pair of arms with a bipolar electrode and a thermal element on the same arm.
Multi-mode surgical forceps may include: at least two arms; a bipolar electrode disposed on one of the at least two arms; a return bipolar electrode disposed upon one of the at least two arms; and at least one ferromagnetic coated conductor disposed upon at least one of the at least two arms. The forceps may also include one or more of: a power supply; a sensor disposed on one of the at least two arms; the sensor being configured to measure tissue effects; and the tissue effect further comprising temperature; the power supply being configured to adjust a power output in response to the sensor's measurement.
A multi-mode surgical tool may include: a bipolar electrode and a thermal element and further comprising a sensor disposed adjacent at least one of the bipolar electrode and thermal element. Likewise, a multi-mode surgical tool may include a bipolar electrode and a thermal element and wherein at least one of the bipolar electrode and thermal element are disposed on a device selected from the group consisting of a catheter and an endoscope.
In accordance with the present disclosure, a multi-mode adjustable surgical tool may include, for example: a body configured to oscillate; a conductor placed around at least a portion of the body; a ferromagnetic coating covering a portion of the conductor; and a power source delivering an oscillating current to the conductor. The tool may also include one or more of the following: the body comprising an ultrasonic horn; a power source for providing oscillating electrical energy to thereby oscillate the body and provide heating of the ferromagnetic coating; the power source further comprising independent sources for providing energy to oscillate the body and for providing heating of the ferromagnetic coating; the independent sources being configured to operate during overlapping periods of time; the independent sources being configured to operate during separate periods of time; the body having a bore; the body having a plurality of bores; a first bore of the plurality of bores being configured to aspirate and a second bore of the plurality of bores being configured to irrigate; and the power source having power settings corresponding to desired tissue effects.
A multi-mode surgical tool according to the present disclosure may include an ultrasonic transducer and a thermal element. The tool may also include one or more of: the thermal element being a ferromagnetic coated conductor; the ultrasonic transducer having a piezoelectric transducer; a power source for generating a multiplexed signal; the multiplexed signal having an ultrasonic signal; the multiplexed signal having an inductive heating signal; the inductive heating signal being between 5 MHz and 24 GHz; and the inductive heating signal being between 40 MHz and 928 MHz.
A multi-mode surgical tool may include, for example: a tip comprising an electrical conductor; an ultrasonic transducer; and a ferromagnetic coating covering at least a portion of the electrical conductor. The tool may also include one or more of the following: means for generating a multiplexed signal; the tip being part of an oscillating body; the body having an aspirating bore; and the oscillating body having an ultrasonic horn.
Alternatively, a multi-mode surgical tool may include: a lesioning probe having a tip comprising an electrical conductor; a ferromagnetic coating covering a portion of the conductor; and an ultrasonic transducer. The tool may also include one or more of the following: a power source delivering an oscillating current to the tip; a second tip, wherein the second tip comprises a sensor; the power source being configured to react to the sensor; a sensor being configured to measure temperature; a sensor being configured to measure transferred heat; a sensor being configured to measure tissue properties; a sensor configured to allow visual observation of tissue; a power supply configured to measure a temperature indicator of the ferromagnetic coating and adjust an output to maintain predetermined therapeutic temperature range in tissue; the tip and conductor of the tool being coated with a thin layer of high temperature resistant, non-stick material; and the tip of the tool being covered by a highly thermally conductive, biocompatible material.
In accordance with the present disclosure, a multi-mode surgical catheter may include a catheter comprising: a surgical tip; a thermal element disposed on the surgical tip; and an ultrasonic transducer configured to provide ultrasonic energy to the surgical tip. The catheter may also include one or more of the following: at least one lumen; means for developing suction within the lumen; a substance disposed in the lumen for delivery into a patient; at least one sensor for sensing tissue condition; and means for providing visual feedback.
In accordance with the present disclosure, a thermally adjustable multi-mode surgical tool may include: a cable; a small diameter electrical conductor having a proximal and distal end, wherein the proximal end being configured to receive radiofrequency energy from the cable; a thin plating of ferromagnetic material disposed circumferentially about the electrical conductor, wherein the ferromagnetic material being configured with a Curie point sufficiently high to encompass a desired set of therapeutic temperature ranges; and an ultrasonic element connected configured to receive power from the cable and configured to release ultrasonic energy into nearby tissue.
In accordance with the present disclosure, a process of delivering power to a thermally adjustable multi-mode surgical tool may include: delivering a first oscillating signal to a conductor configured such that the first oscillating electrical signal forming an approximate standing wave with maximum current and minimum voltage substantially at a first load comprising a portion of the conductor coated by ferromagnetic material; and delivering a second oscillating signal to a second electrical connection configured such that a second oscillating electrical signal will drive an ultrasonic transducer to thereby move a second load ultrasonically. The process may also include one or more of the following: placing the first load adjacent tissue and the first oscillating electrical signal heating a thermal element to a temperature causing hemostasis in the tissue and the second oscillating electrical signal causes the second load to incise tissue; applying suction adjacent the first load and second load to aspirate incised tissue; multiplexing the first oscillating signal and the second oscillating signal in a communications channel to the first load and second load; and heating the ferromagnetic material to a sufficient temperature to self-clean the coating.
A method for incising and sealing tissue may include: selecting a surgical tool having a conductor with a ferromagnetic coating disposed on a portion thereof and a transducer which drives a body; disposing the body and ferromagnetic coating into contact with the tissue; delivering an oscillating electrical signal to the transducer so as to incise the tissue; and delivering an oscillating electrical signal to the conductor so as to heat the ferromagnetic coating and apply heat to the tissue. The method may also include one or more of the following: the ferromagnetic coating being heated to promote tissue hemostasis; and the transducer being an ultrasonic transducer.
A method for tissue ablation may include: selecting a tip with ultrasonic and thermal modalities; placing the tip in contact with the undesired tissue; and activating one or more of the modalities within the undesired tissue. The method may also include one or more of the following: the thermal modality having a ferromagnetic coating; aspirating residue from an area proximate to the undesired tissue; and heating the ferromagnetic material to a sufficient temperature to self-clean the coating.
The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/647,374, filed Dec. 24, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,491,578, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/170,203, filed Apr. 17, 2009, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/170,220, filed Apr. 17, 2009, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/170,207, filed Apr. 17, 2009 which are incorporated hereby by references in their entirety. The present application is also a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/647,376, filed Dec. 24, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,523,851, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/170,203, filed Apr. 17, 2009, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/170,220, filed Apr. 17, 2009, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/170,207, filed Apr. 17, 2009. The present application is also a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/647,380, filed Dec. 24, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,414,569, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/170,203, filed Apr. 17, 2009, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/170,220, filed Apr. 17, 2009, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/170,207, filed Apr. 17, 2009. The present application is also a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/764,636, filed Feb. 11, 2013, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 12/647,329, filed Dec. 24, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,372,066, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/170,203, filed Apr. 17, 2009, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/170,220, filed Apr. 17, 2009, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/170,207, filed Apr. 17, 2009.
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