Infusion array ablation apparatus

Abstract

An infusion array ablation apparatus includes an elongated delivery device having a lumen and an infusion array positionable in the lumen. The infusion array includes an RF electrode and at least a first and a second infusion member. Each infusion member has a tissue piercing distal portion and an infusion lumen. At least one of the first or second infusion members is positionable in the elongated delivery device in a compacted state and deployable from the elongated delivery device with curvature in a deployed state. Also, at least one of the first or second infusion members exhibits a changing direction of travel when advanced from the elongated delivery device to a selected tissue site. At least one infusion port is coupled to one of the elongated delivery device, the infusion array, the first infusion member or the second infusion member.

1 . A tissue ablation apparatus comprising: 
 a delivery catheter having a distal end and a proximal end;    an electrode deployment device positioned at least partially in the elongate member and including at least one retractable electrode that is adapted to be inserted into tissue, is adapted to penetrate tissue, and is adapted to extend to a selected tissue site, said at least one retractable electrode having a non-deployed state when positioned in the elongate member, and being preformed to assume a curved shape when deployed, and being operatively connected to a microwave power source; and    wherein the at least one electrode is advanceable in and out of the distal most end of the elongate member.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the delivery catheter is operatively coupled to an RF or a microwave power source.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one electrode is operatively coupled to an RF and a microwave power source or a power source switchable between RF and microwave.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein one of the delivery catheter or the at least one electrode is operatively coupled to the RF power source and the other is operatively coupled to the microwave power source.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 at least one thermal sensor coupled to at least one of the at least one electrodes.    
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising: 
 a display for displaying temperature values measured at the at least one sensor.    
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising: 
 a feedback control system operatively coupled to the at least one sensor and the RF or microwave power source.    
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , 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.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , 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 at least one electrode in response to the temperature measured at the at least one sensor.    
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one electrode comprises at least two electrodes, each being operatively coupled to the microwave power source, each of the at least two electrodes having an energy delivery surface to create an ablation volume between the energy delivery surfaces.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the at least one electrodes include at least one thermal sensor.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an insulation sleeve positioned in a surrounding relationship around at least a portion of the at least one electrode.    
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the insulation sleeve is adjustably moveable along an exterior of the at least one electrode.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one electrode is hollow and coupled to an infusion medium source to receive an infusion medium.  
     
     
         15 . A method for creating an ablation volume in a selected tissue mass, comprising: 
 providing an ablation device with a delivery catheter, at least one electrode being operatively coupled to a microwave energy source, and at least one thermal sensor coupled to at least one of the at least one electrodes;    inserting the delivery catheter into the selected tissue mass with the at least one electrode distal end positioned in the delivery catheter lumen;    advancing the at least one electrode distal end out of the delivery catheter lumen and into the selected tissue mass;    delivering electromagnetic energy from the microwave energy source to the at least one electrode; and    creating an ablation volume in the selected tissue mass.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said at least one electrode comprises at least two electrodes, each having an energy delivery surface, are advanced from the delivery catheter, and an ablation volume is created between the two electrodes energy delivery surfaces.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the at least two electrodes are advanced out of a distal end of the delivery catheter.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the at least two electrodes are advanced out of separate ports formed in the delivery catheter.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 delivering energy from an energy source to the delivery catheter, wherein the delivery catheter is operatively coupled to an energy source and has an energy delivery surface.