Multiple antenna ablation apparatus and method with multiple sensor feedback

Abstract

An ablation apparatus includes an ablation energy source producing an electromagnetic energy output. A monopolar multiple antenna device is included and has a primary antenna with a longitudinal axis, a central lumen and a distal end, and a secondary antenna with a distal end. The secondary antenna is deployed from the primary antenna central lumen in a lateral direction relative to the longitudinal axis. The primary antenna and secondary antennas are each electromagnetically coupled to the electromagnetic energy source.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An ablation treatment apparatus, comprising: 
 an introducer having a distal portion and a proximal portion: and at least one antenna positioned in the introducer as the introducer is introduced through tissue and exhibiting a changing direction of travel when deployed from the introducer at a selected tissue mass, said at least one antenna being operatively coupled to a microwave energy source; and    at least one thermal sensor coupled to at least one of (i) the introducer. or (ii) at least one of the at least one antennas.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of a distal end of the at least one antenna is constructed to be structurally less rigid than the introducer, and the introducer is constructed to be rigid enough to be introduced through tissue.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a feedback control system operatively coupled to the at least one sensor and the microwave energy source.    
     
     
         4 - 6 . (canceled)  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one antenna comprises at least two antennas, each of the antennas having an energy delivery surface to create an ablation volume between the energy delivery surfaces.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each antenna includes at least one thermal sensor to measure temperature.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one antenna comprises at least three antennas, each of the antennas having an energy delivery surface to create an ablation volume between the energy delivery surfaces.  
     
     
         10 . (canceled)  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an insulation sleeve positioned in a surrounding relationship around at least a portion of at least one of (i) the introducer, or (ii) the at least one antenna.    
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the insulation sleeve is adjustably moveable along an exterior of the introducer or the at least one antenna.  
     
     
         13 - 14 . (canceled)  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a ground pad electrode.  
     
     
         16 - 17 . (canceled)  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the introducer is hollow and coupled to an infusion medium source to receive an infusion medium.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: a cooling element coupled to the introducer.  
     
     
         20 . A method for creating an ablation volume in a selected tissue mass, comprising: 
 providing an ablation device with an introducer at least one antenna with a distal end and being operatively coupled to a microwave energy source, and at least one thermal sensor coupled to at least one of (i) the introducer, or (ii) at least one of the at least one antennas;    inserting the introducer into the selected tissue mass with the at least one antenna distal end positioned in the introducer lumen;    advancing the at least one antenna distal end out of the introducer lumen and into the selected tissue mass;    delivering electromagnetic energy from the microwave energy source to the at least one antenna; and    creating an ablation volume in the selected tissue mass.    
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said at least one antenna comprises at least two antennas, each having an energy delivery surface, are advanced from the primary antenna, and an ablation volume is created between the two antennas energy delivery surfaces.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the at least two antennas are advanced out of a distal end of the introducer  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the at least two antennas are advanced out of separate ports formed in the introducer.  
     
     
         25 - 29 . (canceled)  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the introducer is operatively coupled to an energy source and has an energy delivery surface.  
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the feedback control adjusts at least one of (i) a power level, (ii) a duty cycle, and (iii) an energy delivery in response to the temperature measured at the at least one sensor.  
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a display for displaying temperature values measured at the at least one sensor.    
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said introducer is an antenna operatively coupled to an energy source.  
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein said introducer is coupled to a RF energy source.  
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the introducer includes a tissue piercing distal end.  
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 a controller coupled to the energy source and at least one of (i) the at least one thermal sensor and (ii) the feedback control to adjust the energy supplied to the antennas in response to the temperature measured at the at least one sensor.    
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , further comprising: 
 adjusting the energy supplied to the at least one antenna in response to a temperature measured at the at least one sensor.