Controller for thermal treatment of tissue

Disclosed is an apparatus for use in conjunction with an RF ablation electrode insertable into a patient to ablate body tissue, e.g., prostate tissue of a patient with a BPH condition. The apparatus includes an RF generator for outputting RF current through the ablation electrode and a second electr...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors MAURER CHRISTOPHER J, BLEWETT JEFFREY J, STONE CORBETT W
Format Patent
LanguageEnglish
Published 11.06.2002
Edition7
Subjects
DIAGNOSIS
HUMAN NECESSITIES
HYGIENE
IDENTIFICATION
MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE
SURGERY
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Summary:Disclosed is an apparatus for use in conjunction with an RF ablation electrode insertable into a patient to ablate body tissue, e.g., prostate tissue of a patient with a BPH condition. The apparatus includes an RF generator for outputting RF current through the ablation electrode and a second electrode in contact with the patient to thereby ablate body tissue in the vicinity of the ablation electrode. Temperature measuring circuitry within the apparatus is coupled to a temperature sensor in a specific body region. An input means such as a plurality of switches on the apparatus housing is provided to enable a user to input a treatment volume corresponding to a target volume of body tissue to be ablated. Delivery of RF power is automatically terminated when a treatment time corresponding to the selected treatment volume is reached. In addition, a hypertonic saline syringe is preferably housed within the controller. Saline solution is caused to flow from the syringe into the treatment region at a controlled rate both immediately prior to and during the delivery of RF power.
Bibliography:Application Number: US20000500326