US5817092A — Apparatus, system and method for delivering radio…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 82 words

An improved RF probe assembly of the type having at least one distal electrode for delivering RF energy to a treatment site and a proximal connector adapted for connection to a RF power supply, the improvement comprising: a passive electrical element for completing a control circuit within the power supply when the connector is connected to the power supply, said control circuit directly and automatcally controlling the amount of RF energy delivered to the treatment region based on said passive electrical element.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 82 words

An improved RF probe assembly of the type having at least one distal electrode for delivering RF energy to a treatment site and a proximal connector adapted for connection to a RF power supply, the improvement comprising: a passive electrical element for completing a control circuit within the power supply when the connector is connected to the power supply, said control circuit directly and automatcally controlling the amount of RF energy delivered to the treatment region based on said passive electrical element.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 25 words

The probe assembly of claim 1, wherein the control circuit comprises a timer for controlling the duration of RF energy delivered to the treatment region.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 36 words

The probe assembly of claim 2, further comprising a visual label on the connector indicating the duration of RF energy that will be supplied to the electrode upon connection of the connector to the power supply.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 26 words

The probe assembly of claim 1, wherein the control circuit comprises a power level regulator for controlling the level of RF power supplied to the electrode.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 17 words

The probe assembly of claim 1, wherein the passive electrical element comprises a resistor in the connector.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 50 words

The probe assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least a first pin and a second pin extending from the connector, with the passive element extending between the pins, and wherein the pins are adapted to be inserted into the power supply to complete the control circuit when inserted therein.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 81 words

The probe assembly of claim 6, wherein the connector includes a third pin, and wherein at least a second passive element extends between the third pin and one of the first or the second pins, and wherein the second passive element has a resistance that is different from the resistance of the first passive element, whereby the connector is adapted to be connected to the power supply to place either the first or the second passive element in the control circuit.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 25 words

The probe assembly of claim 7, wherein the connector is triangular in geometry, and wherein the pins are disposed near the corners of the triangle.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 22 words

The probe assembly of claim 1, wherein the passive element within the connector is at least partially surrounded by a RF shield.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 15 words

The probe assembly of claim 1, wherein the connector includes a single RF power lead.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 24 words

The probe assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least two distal electrodes, and wherein the connector includes a pair of RF power leads.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 52 words

The probe assembly of claim 1, further comprising a probe body having a proximal end and a distal end, with the electrode located at the distal end, and a cable connecting the connector to the proximal end of the probe body, and wherein the passive electrical element is disposed in the connector.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 24 words

The probe assembly of claim 12, wherein the cable is fixedly attached to both the connector and the proximal end of the probe body.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 20 words

The probe assembly of claim 12, wherein the cable is removably attached to the proximal end of the probe body.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 12 words

The probe assembly of claim 12, wherein the probe body is disposable.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 54 words

A radiotherapeutic system comprising: a RF power supply; a RF therapeutic probe assembly having at least one distal electrode and a proximal power supply connector; and a timing circuit which controls the duration of RF energy supplied to the electrode, the timing circuit being formed upon connection of the connector to the power supply.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 54 words

A radiotherapeutic system comprising: a RF power supply; a RF therapeutic probe assembly having at least one distal electrode and a proximal power supply connector; and a timing circuit which controls the duration of RF energy supplied to the electrode, the timing circuit being formed upon connection of the connector to the power supply.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 63 words

The system of claim 16, wherein the timing circuit comprises electrical components in the power supply and at least a first pin and a second pin in the connector, with a capacitor extending between the two pins, and wherein insertion of the two pins into the power supply places the resistor in electrical communication with the electrical components to complete the timing circuit.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 63 words

The system of claim 16, wherein the timing circuit comprises electrical components in the power supply and at least a first pin and a second pin in the connector, with a resistor extending between the two pins, and wherein insertion of the two pins into the power supply places the resistor in electrical communication with the electrical components to complete the timing circuit.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 23 words

The system of claim 18, wherein at least one of the electrical components comprises an integrated circuit timer in parallel with a capacitor.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 24 words

The system of claim 18, further comprising a switch for manually closing the timing circuit after connection of the probe to the power supply.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 74 words

The system of claim 18, wherein the connector includes a third pin, and wherein at least a second resistor extends between the third pin and one of the first or the second pins, and wherein the second resistor has a resistance that is different from the resistance of the first resistor, whereby the connector can be connected to the power supply to place either the first or the second resistor in the timing circuit.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 24 words

The system of claim 21, wherein the connector is triangular in geometry, and wherein the pins are disposed near the corners of the triangle.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 17 words

The system of claim 18, wherein the pins are at least partially surrounded by a RF shield.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 39 words

The system of claim 18, further comprising a power level control circuit for controlling the amount of RF power delivered to the electrode, the power level control circuit being formed upon connection of the connector to the power supply.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 42 words

The system of claim 24, wherein the power level control circuit comprises a passive electrical element in the power supply connector that controls the gain of a RF amplifier in the power supply when the connector is connected to the power supply.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 56 words

The system of claim 25, wherein the probe assembly further comprises a probe body having a proximal end and a distal end, with the electrode located at the distal end, and a cable connecting the proximal connector to the proximal end of the probe body, and wherein the passive electrical element is disposed in the connector.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 11 words

The system of claim 26, wherein the probe body is disposable.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 19 words

The system of claim 26, wherein the cable is removably attached to the proximal end of the probe body.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 23 words

The system of claim 26, wherein the cable is fixedly attached to both the connector and the proximal end of the probe body.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 14 words

The system of claim 16, wherein the connector includes a single RF power pin.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 24 words

The system of claim 16, wherein the probe includes at least two electrodes, and wherein the connector includes a pair of RF power pins.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 34 words

The system of claim 16, wherein the probe includes a visual label indicating the duration of RF energy that will be supplied to the electrode upon connection of the probe to the power supply.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 13 words

The system of claim 32, wherein the visual label is on the connector.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 23 words

The system of claim 16, further comprising means on the power supply for adjusting the amount of RF energy supplied to the electrode.

Claim 37

Independent Claim 90 words

A method for treating region with RF current, comprising: providing a probe assembly having at least one distal electrode and a proximal power supply connector; attaching the probe to a RF power supply by inserting the connector into the power supply, wherein connection of the connector to the power supply completes a control circuit; introducing the electrode to the treatment region; establishing RF current flow from the electrode; and controlling the amount of RF energy delivered to the treatment region with at least one passive electrical element within the connector.

Claim 38

Independent Claim 90 words

A method for treating region with RF current, comprising: providing a probe assembly having at least one distal electrode and a proximal power supply connector; attaching the probe to a RF power supply by inserting the connector into the power supply, wherein connection of the connector to the power supply completes a control circuit; introducing the electrode to the treatment region; establishing RF current flow from the electrode; and controlling the amount of RF energy delivered to the treatment region with at least one passive electrical element within the connector.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method of claim 35, wherein the controlling step comprises forming a timing circuit upon attachment of the probe assembly to the RF power supply to control the duration of RF current flow.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 35 words

The method of claim 36, wherein the timing circuit comprises an RC circuit that is formed by placing in parallel a resistor with a capacitor upon connection of the probe assembly to the power supply.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method of claim 37, further comprising detecting a voltage drop across the capacitor and stopping the supply of RF current to the electrode when the detected voltage is less than a predetermined amount.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 37, wherein the capacitor is within the connector.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 37, wherein the resistor is within the connector.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method of claim 35, wherein the probe assembly includes at least two electrodes at the distal end, and wherein the establishing step further comprises establishing current flow between the at least two electrodes.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method of claim 35, wherein the establishing step further comprises establishing current flow between the electrode and a common electrode.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method of claim 35, wherein the control circuit comprises a timing circuit which controls the duration of RF current flow.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method of claim 35, wherein the control circuit comprises a power level control circuit which controls the level of RF power delivered to the electrode.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 44, wherein the power level control circuit includes a power amplifier.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method of claim 35, wherein the control circuit controls both the duration of RF current flow to the electrode and the level of RF power delivered to the electrode.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2001-10-05	2002-04-06	2002-10-06	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2005-10-05	2006-04-06	2006-10-06	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2009-10-05	2010-04-06	2010-10-06	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Apparatus, system and method for delivering radio frequency energy to a treatment site

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