Soft tissue heating apparatus with independent, cooperative heating sources
This invention relates generally to medical probes used for contracting soft tissue, and more particularly, to medical probes for shrinking damaged collagen tissue by applying heat. A medical probe for the heating of soft tissue, such as collagen tissue, wherein the medical probe has an elongated bo...
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| Main Authors | , , |
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| Format | Patent |
| Language | English |
| Published |
19.03.2002
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| Online Access | Get full text |
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| Summary: | This invention relates generally to medical probes used for contracting soft tissue, and more particularly, to medical probes for shrinking damaged collagen tissue by applying heat.
A medical probe for the heating of soft tissue, such as collagen tissue, wherein the medical probe has an elongated body with a proximal and distal end, a heating source, an RF electrode. Optional components include a thermocouple, and an insulative sleeve. The probe's elongated body is preferably hollow and flexible. The RF electrode and the heating source are powered by independently controlled power sources and cooperate to maintain a constant and smooth temperature to the distal end of the RF electrode. The heating source may be a contained liquid, such as saline, or an electrothermal mass, such as a ferrite, a toroid, a resistive element, or the like. Current induced from the conductor to the heating source creates heat in the heating source. The thermocouple measures the temperature of the heating source and adjusts the power to the conductor to maintain the heating source's temperature. |
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