US5827276A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for volumetric tissue ablation
Assignee: University of Nebraska System
•
Filing: 1996-12-12
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Granted: 1998-10-27
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Expires: 2016-12-12
Abstract
Abstract A volumetric tissue ablation apparatus includes a probe having a plurality of wires journaled through a catheter with a proximal end connected to the active terminal of a generator and a distal end projecting from a distal end of the catheter. The probe wire distal ends are arranged in an array with the distal ends located generally radially and uniformly spaced apart from the catheter distal end. A conductor connected to the return terminal of the generator is located relative to the probe wire array to form a closed electrical circuit through tissue to be ablated. Preferably, the probe wire array includes 10 wires, each formed in an arch from the catheter distal end. The conductor can be either a conventional ground plate upon which the tissue is supported, or a conductor wire extending through the probe and electrically insulated from the probe wires.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert F. Leveen
- 👤 Randy Fox
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 09:50
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61N; A61N5/00; A61N5/02; A61N5/04; A61N5/045; A61B18/14; A61B18/1477; A61B18/1485; A61B18/1492; A61B18/18; A61B18/1402; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00214; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/1425; A61B2018/143; A61B2018/1432; A61B2018/1475
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A probe system for penetrating a plurality of electrodes into solid tissue, said probe system comprising: an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end; means for introducing the elongate member through solid tissue; and at least two solid-tissue-penetrating electrode elements having distal ends reciprocatably attached to the elongate member so that said electrode elements may be advanced into tissue after said elongate member has been introduced through solid tissue to a target site within the tissue, wherein the distal ends of at least some of the electrode elements are shaped so that they assume an outwardly everted configuration as they are axially extended beyond the distal end of the elongate member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A probe system for penetrating a plurality of electrodes into solid tissue, said probe system comprising: an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end; means for introducing the elongate member through solid tissue; and at least two solid-tissue-penetrating electrode elements having distal ends reciprocatably attached to the elongate member so that said electrode elements may be advanced into tissue after said elongate member has been introduced through solid tissue to a target site within the tissue, wherein the distal ends of at least some of the electrode elements are shaped so that they assume an outwardly everted configuration as they are axially extended beyond the distal end of the elongate member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A probe system as in claim 1, wherein the elongate member is a tube having an axial lumen which reciprocatably receives the tissue-penetrating electrode elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A probe system as in claim 2, wherein the introducing means comprises an obturator and sheath assembly, wherein the obturator may be removed from the sheath to leave a lumen within the sheath for receiving the elongate member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A probe system as in claim 3, wherein the obturator is a stylet having a sharpened distal end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A probe system as in claim 2, wherein the introducing means comprises a self-penetrating element disposed at the distal end of the elongate member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
69 words
A probe system as in claim 1, wherein the tissue-penetrating electrode elements comprise wires which extend through an axial lumen of the elongate member and which have shaped distal ends, wherein the shaped distal ends assume a radially constrained configuration when the wires are axially retracted within said lumen and assume a radially divergent configuration when the wires are axially extended beyond the distal end of the elongate member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A probe system as in claim 1, further comprising at least three electrode elements which are configured in a first group and which extend from a first axial position along the elongate member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A probe system as in claim 7, further comprising at least a second group of three electrode elements which extend from one or more additional axial positions along the elongate member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A probe system as in claim 1, wherein the electrode elements are partially insulated over their regions which are advanced into tissue to define a plurality of active electrode surfaces.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
82 words
A probe system for penetrating a plurality of electrodes into solid tissue, said probe system comprising: an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end; and at least three solid-tissue-penetrating wires reciprocatably attached to the elongate member, wherein said wires have shaped distal ends which assume a radially constrained configuration when the wires are axially retracted within said lumen and which assume an outwardly everted configuration when the wires are axially extended in a distal direction from the elongate member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
82 words
A probe system for penetrating a plurality of electrodes into solid tissue, said probe system comprising: an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end; and at least three solid-tissue-penetrating wires reciprocatably attached to the elongate member, wherein said wires have shaped distal ends which assume a radially constrained configuration when the wires are axially retracted within said lumen and which assume an outwardly everted configuration when the wires are axially extended in a distal direction from the elongate member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
A probe system as in claim 10, wherein the at least three electrode elements are configured in a first group and which extends from a first axial position along the elongate member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
A probe system as in claim 11, further comprising at least a second group of three electrode elements which extend from the elongate member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
A probe system as in claim 12, wherein the at least second group of three electrode elements extends from a second axial position spaced-apart from the first axial position of the elongate member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
A probe system as in claim 10, further comprising means for introducing the elongate member through solid tissue.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
A probe system as in claim 14, wherein the elongate member is a tube having an axial lumen which reciprocatably receives the tissue-penetrating electrode elements.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
A probe system as in claim 15, wherein the introducing means comprises an obturator and sheath assembly, wherein the obturator may be removed from the sheath to leave a lumen within the sheath for receiving the elongate member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
A probe system as in claim 10, wherein the electrode elements are partially insulated over their regions which are advanced into tissue to define a plurality of active electrode surfaces.
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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) | 2001-10-26 | 2002-04-27 | 2002-10-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-10-26 | 2006-04-27 | 2006-10-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-10-26 | 2010-04-27 | 2010-10-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |