Multi-modality ablation device

Abstract

An instrument for ablation of tissue. The instrument including: a body having at least one surface for contacting a tissue surface, the at least one surface being substantially planar; an ultrasonic transducer disposed in the body for generating ultrasonic energy and directing at least a portion of the ultrasonic energy to the tissue surface, the ultrasonic transducer being operatively connected to an ultrasonic generator; at least one radio-frequency electrode disposed on the at least one surface for directing radio frequency energy to the tissue surface, the at least one radio-frequency electrode being operatively connected to a power source; and one or more switches for selectively coupling at least one of the ultrasonic transducer to the ultrasonic generator and the at least one radio-frequency electrode to the power source.

1 - 12 . (canceled)  
   
   
       13 . A method for creating lesions in tissue, the method comprising: 
 providing an instrument capable of selectively directing at least one of ultrasonic and radio-frequency energy to the tissue;    measuring a tissue thickness corresponding to the tissue; and    applying at least one of ultrasonic and radio-frequency energy from the instrument to the tissue based on the measuring.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the applying comprises applying the ultrasonic and radio-frequency energy from the instrument to the tissue surface where the measured tissue thickness is greater than a first predetermined thickness.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first predetermined thickness is about 6 mm.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the applying comprises applying only the radio-frequency energy from the instrument to the tissue surface where the measured tissue thickness is less than a second predetermined thickness.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the second predetermined thickness is about 3-5 mm.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the applying comprises applying only the ultrasonic energy from the instrument to the tissue surface where the measured tissue thickness is between the first predetermined thickness and the second predetermined thickness.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the ultrasonic energy is supplied by an ultrasonic transducer and the radio-frequency energy is supplied by at least one electrode, the method further comprising cooling at least one of the ultrasonic transducer, the at least one electrode, and the tissue.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the ultrasonic energy is first applied to the tissue followed by application of the radio-frequency energy to the tissue where the measured thickness is greater than a predetermined thickness.  
   
   
       21 . A method for creating lesions in tissue, the method comprising: 
 measuring a tissue thickness corresponding to the tissue; and    applying ultrasonic and radio-frequency energy to the tissue surface where the tissue thickness is greater than a predetermined thickness.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the applying comprises applying the ultrasonic energy followed by applying the radio-frequency energy.  
   
   
       23 . A method for creating lesions in tissue, the method comprising: 
 measuring a tissue thickness corresponding to the tissue;    applying ultrasonic energy to the tissue surface to create a lesion where the tissue thickness is greater than a predetermined thickness;    determining an extent of the lesion created by the applying of the ultrasonic energy; and    applying radio-frequency energy to the tissue surface where the extent of the lesion is determined to be unsatisfactory.