US5928159A
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US
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Apparatus and method for characterization and treatment of tumors
Assignee: Intact Medical Corp
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Filing: 1997-04-23
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Granted: 1999-07-27
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Expires: 2017-04-23
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and methods are provided for performing an in situ characterization of a tissue mass which may be normal, malignant, or benign, and, based on the measured characteristics of the tissue mass, therapeutically treating the tissue mass to cause necrosis of the tissue. In an illustrative preferred embodiment, the characterization of the tissue is accomplished by measuring an electrical property of the tissue, such as electrical impedance, while treatment is accomplished by supplying heat to the tissue to induce cauterization.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip E. Eggers
- 👤 Ascher Shmulewitz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:28
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1402; A61B5/00; A61B5/05; A61B5/053; A61B5/0531; A61B18/1206; A61B18/1477; A61B18/1482; A61B18/1485; A61B18/1487; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00214; A61B2018/0022; A61B2018/00571; A61B2018/00577; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00666; A61B2018/00678; A61B2018/00696; A61B2018/00702; A61B2018/00708; A61B2018/00761; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00827; A61B2018/00875; A61B2018/00886; A61B2018/0091; A61B2018/00916; A61B2018/1246; A61B2018/126; A61B2018/1273; A61B2018/128; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/1425; A61B18/16; A61B2018/162
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
Apparatus for in situ diagnosis of biological tissue comprising: an RF generator that outputs an alternating current voltage waveform; a probe coupled to the RF generator, the probe comprising an elongate member including first and second electrodes disposed on the elongate member, the second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode, the probe having a first mode of operation in which the first electrode senses a first value of a parameter indicative of a property of a biological tissue for a first region of tissue adjacent to the first electrode, and the second electrode senses a second value of the parameter for a second region of tissue adjacent to the second electrode; first circuitry coupled to the first and second electrodes for sensing the first and second values during the first mode of operation, and for comparing the first and second values to enable differentiation of the tissue in the second region from among normal biological tissue, malignant tumorous biological tissue, and nonmalignant tumorous biological tissue; and means for coupling the probe to the first circuitry and the RF generator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
Apparatus for in situ diagnosis of biological tissue comprising: an RF generator that outputs an alternating current voltage waveform; a probe coupled to the RF generator, the probe comprising an elongate member including first and second electrodes disposed on the elongate member, the second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode, the probe having a first mode of operation in which the first electrode senses a first value of a parameter indicative of a property of a biological tissue for a first region of tissue adjacent to the first electrode, and the second electrode senses a second value of the parameter for a second region of tissue adjacent to the second electrode; first circuitry coupled to the first and second electrodes for sensing the first and second values during the first mode of operation, and for comparing the first and second values to enable differentiation of the tissue in the second region from among normal biological tissue, malignant tumorous biological tissue, and nonmalignant tumorous biological tissue; and means for coupling the probe to the first circuitry and the RF generator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the probe further comprises a selectable second mode of operation causing in situ necrosis of the biological tissue, the probe further comprising: second circuitry coupled to the second electrode for inducing necrosis of the biological tissue in the second region during the second mode of operation; and means for coupling the probe to the second circuitry.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the elongate member further comprises a third electrode interposed between the first and second electrodes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the probe further comprises a switch for selectively activating the first and second modes of operation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the second circuitry induces necrosis of the biological tissue by supplying a voltage to the second electrode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising: a user interface for providing a sensory indication responsive to an output of the first circuitry.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein the user interface provides a sensory indication corresponding to a degree of vascularity of the biological tissue in the second region to enable characterization of the degree of malignancy.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein the user interface comprises a visual display or an auditory device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the parameter indicative of a property of the biological tissue is selected from the group consisting of electrical impedance and dielectric constant.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the first electrode comprises a material selected from the group consisting of platinum, silver, gold, stainless steel, or other biocompatible electrically conductive materials.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for in situ diagnosis of biological tissue comprising steps of: inserting a probe having first and second spaced apart electrodes in a biological tissue in situ; applying an RF voltage to the biological tissue; sensing a first value of a parameter indicative of a property of the biological tissue for a first region of tissue adjacent to the first electrode; sensing a second value of the parameter for a second region of tissue adjacent to the second electrode; comparing the first and second values to differentiate the tissue in the second region among normal biological tissue, malignant tumorous biological tissue, and nonmalignant tumorous biological tissue; and characterizing the tissue in the second region based upon a result of comparing the first and second values.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for in situ diagnosis of biological tissue comprising steps of: inserting a probe having first and second spaced apart electrodes in a biological tissue in situ; applying an RF voltage to the biological tissue; sensing a first value of a parameter indicative of a property of the biological tissue for a first region of tissue adjacent to the first electrode; sensing a second value of the parameter for a second region of tissue adjacent to the second electrode; comparing the first and second values to differentiate the tissue in the second region among normal biological tissue, malignant tumorous biological tissue, and nonmalignant tumorous biological tissue; and characterizing the tissue in the second region based upon a result of comparing the first and second values.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as defined in claim 11 further including a step of in situ treatment of the biological tissue comprising: selectively actuating the probe to cause necrosis of the second region of biological tissue.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 12, wherein the step of selectively actuating the probe to cause necrosis induces elevated temperatures in the second region of biological tissue.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 13, wherein the elevated temperatures are in a range of 60° C. to 100° C.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the step of characterizing comprises assessing the degree of malignancy of the second region.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the parameter is selected from a group consisting of electrical impedance and dielectric constant.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 16, wherein the step of sensing measures the electrical impedance of the biological tissue at one or more frequencies in the range of 20 kHz to 20 MHz.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
151 words
An apparatus for use with an RF generator for in situ diagnosis of biological tissue comprising: a handle; a support member removably connected to the handle; first and second electrodes disposed on the support member in spaced-apart relation, the first and second electrodes adapted to be coupled to an RF generator, the first electrode sensing a first value of a parameter indicative of a property of a biological tissue for a first region of tissue adjacent to the first electrode, and the second electrode for sensing a second value of the parameter for a second region of tissue adjacent to the second electrode; and circuitry coupled to the first and second electrodes for sensing the first and second values, and for comparing the first and second values to enable differentiation of the tissue in the second region from among normal biological tissue, benign tumorous biological tissue, and malignant tumorous biological tissue.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
151 words
An apparatus for use with an RF generator for in situ diagnosis of biological tissue comprising: a handle; a support member removably connected to the handle; first and second electrodes disposed on the support member in spaced-apart relation, the first and second electrodes adapted to be coupled to an RF generator, the first electrode sensing a first value of a parameter indicative of a property of a biological tissue for a first region of tissue adjacent to the first electrode, and the second electrode for sensing a second value of the parameter for a second region of tissue adjacent to the second electrode; and circuitry coupled to the first and second electrodes for sensing the first and second values, and for comparing the first and second values to enable differentiation of the tissue in the second region from among normal biological tissue, benign tumorous biological tissue, and malignant tumorous biological tissue.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The probe as defined in claim 18 further comprising means, disposed from the support member, for causing in situ necrosis of the biological tissue in the second region.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
42 words
A probe as defined in claim 19 further comprising a switch, operatively coupled to the second electrode and the means for causing in situ necrosis, the switch selectively activating the second electrode for sensing or the means for causing in situ necrosis.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 18 further comprising a user interface to provide a sensory indication corresponding to a degree of vascularity of the biological tissue in the second region to enable characterization of the degree of malignancy.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
A probe as defined in claim 18, wherein the first and second electrodes comprises a material selected from the group consisting of platinum, silver, gold, stainless steel, and other biocompatible electrically conductive materials.
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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) | 2002-07-26 | 2003-01-25 | 2003-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-07-26 | 2007-01-25 | 2007-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-07-26 | 2011-01-25 | 2011-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |