US5569241A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Thin layer ablation apparatus
Assignee: Vidacare Inc
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Filing: 1994-07-07
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Granted: 1996-10-29
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Expires: 2014-07-07
Abstract
Abstract An ablation apparatus has a balloon that is inserted into an organ of a body and ablates all or a selected portion of the inner layer of the organ. Electrolytic solution fills the balloon, and the balloon includes a plurality of apertures from which electrolytic solution flows from the balloon. The flow rate of electrolytic solution is dependent on the pressure applied to the balloon by the electrolytic solution. A conforming member, with a conductive surface and a back side, is made of a material that substantially conforms to a shape of the inner layer of the organ and delivers the electrolytic solution and RF energy through the conductive surface to the inner layer. Advantageously, difficult to access areas are reached with the inclusion of the conforming member. Optionally positioned between the conforming member and the balloon is a porous membrane. A printed circuit can be formed in or on the conforming member, or adjacent to its back side or conductive surface, and delivers RF energy to selected sections of the inner layer. A feedback device is included and is responsive to a detected characteristic of the inner layer. The feedback device provides a controlled delivery of RF energy to segments of the circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 Stuart D. Edwards
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:03
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/148; A61B18/1485; A61B18/1492; A61M; A61M16/00; A61M16/04; A61M16/0434; A61M16/0436; A61M16/0438; A61M16/0445; A61M16/0447; A61M16/0475; A61M16/0477; A61M16/0481; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/06; A61B18/18; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022; A61B2017/00084; A61B2017/00106; A61B17/42; A61B2017/4216; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00059; A61B2018/00065; A61B2018/00071; A61B2018/00083; A61B2018/00214; A61B2018/0022; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00559; A61B2018/00571; A61B2018/00577; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00642; A61B2018/00654; A61B2018/00666; A61B2018/00678; A61B2018/00696; A61B2018/00702; A61B2018/00708; A61B2018/00761; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00791; A61B2018/00827; A61B2018/00869; A61B2018/00875; A61B2018/00886; A61B2018/00892; A61B2018/00898; A61B2018/0091; A61B2018/00916; A61B2018/00982; A61B18/1206; A61B2018/124; A61B2018/1472; A61B2218/00; A61B2218/001; A61B2218/002; A61M25/00; A61M25/10; A61M2025/1043; A61M2025/1052; A61M2025/1086; A61M25/1002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
219 words
An ablation apparatus for ablating an inner layer in an organ of a body, comprising: an inflatable member with an exterior surface including a plurality of apertures that communicate with an interior that houses an electrolytic solution, the inflatable member selectively releasing electrolytic solution through the apertures at a flow rate that is dependent on a pressure applied to the inflatable member by the electrolytic solution; a conforming member with a conductive surface coupled to an RF energy source and a back side in surrounding relationship to the exterior of the inflatable member, the conforming member being made of a material that provides substantial conformity between the conductive surface and a shape of the inner layer of the organ and receives electrolytic solution from the inflatable member and delivers it out of the conductive surface, the conductive surface delivering electrolytic solution and RF energy to the inner layer; a circuit with segments positioned at one of on the conforming member or in the conforming member for delivering RF energy to selected sections of the inner layer; and a feedback device including an apparatus for detecting a characteristic of the inner layer, the feedback device connected to the RF power source to provide a controlled delivery of RF energy to segments of the circuit in response to the detected characteristic.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
219 words
An ablation apparatus for ablating an inner layer in an organ of a body, comprising: an inflatable member with an exterior surface including a plurality of apertures that communicate with an interior that houses an electrolytic solution, the inflatable member selectively releasing electrolytic solution through the apertures at a flow rate that is dependent on a pressure applied to the inflatable member by the electrolytic solution; a conforming member with a conductive surface coupled to an RF energy source and a back side in surrounding relationship to the exterior of the inflatable member, the conforming member being made of a material that provides substantial conformity between the conductive surface and a shape of the inner layer of the organ and receives electrolytic solution from the inflatable member and delivers it out of the conductive surface, the conductive surface delivering electrolytic solution and RF energy to the inner layer; a circuit with segments positioned at one of on the conforming member or in the conforming member for delivering RF energy to selected sections of the inner layer; and a feedback device including an apparatus for detecting a characteristic of the inner layer, the feedback device connected to the RF power source to provide a controlled delivery of RF energy to segments of the circuit in response to the detected characteristic.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The ablation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the circuit with segments is formed on a support member positioned adjacent to the conductive surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The ablation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the circuit with segments is formed on a support member positioned adjacent to the back side of the conforming member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The ablation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus for detecting the characteristic is a sensor that detects an impedance of the inner layer at a segment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The ablation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus for detecting the characteristic is a sensor that detects a temperature profile of the inner layer at a segment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The ablation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inflatable member is a balloon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The ablation apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a membrane positioned between the inflatable member and the conforming member and adapted to receive electrolytic solution from the inflatable member and deliver it to the conforming member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The ablation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conforming member is made of an open and closed cell foam.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The ablation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the feedback device includes a controller coupled to the RF power source.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The ablation apparatus of claim 9, wherein the feedback device includes a multiplexer coupled to the controller.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The ablation apparatus of claim 10, wherein the multiplexer multiplexes segments of the circuit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The ablation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the circuit is a printed circuit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The ablation apparatus of claim 12, wherein the printed circuit includes one or more sensors.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The ablation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the feedback device monitors continuity of the circuit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ablation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conforming member includes a plurality of conductive filaments.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The ablation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the organ is the uterus and the inner layer is the endometrium.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The ablation apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a deposition of ions in the conforming member to improve conductivity.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The ablation apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a conductive coating on the conductive surface of the conforming member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The ablation apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: one or more ultrasound transponders positioned in or on the conforming member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The ablation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrolytic solution is a saline solution.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
170 words
An ablation apparatus for ablating an inner layer in an organ of a body comprising: a first expandable member; a second expandable member surrounding the first expandable member and attached thereto, the second expandable member having a porous structure to deliver an electrolytic solution to the inner layer of the organ; a plurality of RF electrodes positioned at one of an exterior of the first expandable member or an interior of the second expandable member; an electrical connector device connecting the plurality of RF electrodes to an RF energy source; an electrolytic solution delivery device connected to deliver electrolytic solution to the interior of the second expandable member and wherein the second expandable member expands to conform to at least a portion of the inner layer of the organ; and a feedback device including an apparatus for detecting a characteristic of the inner layer, the feedback device connected to the RF power source to provide a controlled delivery of RF energy to the electrodes in response to the detected characteristic.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
170 words
An ablation apparatus for ablating an inner layer in an organ of a body comprising: a first expandable member; a second expandable member surrounding the first expandable member and attached thereto, the second expandable member having a porous structure to deliver an electrolytic solution to the inner layer of the organ; a plurality of RF electrodes positioned at one of an exterior of the first expandable member or an interior of the second expandable member; an electrical connector device connecting the plurality of RF electrodes to an RF energy source; an electrolytic solution delivery device connected to deliver electrolytic solution to the interior of the second expandable member and wherein the second expandable member expands to conform to at least a portion of the inner layer of the organ; and a feedback device including an apparatus for detecting a characteristic of the inner layer, the feedback device connected to the RF power source to provide a controlled delivery of RF energy to the electrodes in response to the detected characteristic.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 21 wherein the second expandable member expands in response to the delivery of the electrolytic solution.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-10-29 | 2000-04-29 | 2000-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-10-29 | 2004-04-29 | 2004-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-10-29 | 2008-04-29 | 2008-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |