Methods and systems for controlled deployment of needles in tissue

Abstract

Needles are deployed in tissue under direct ultrasonic or other imaging. To aid in deploying the needle, a visual needle guide is projected on to the image prior to needle deployment. Once the needle guide is properly aligned, the needle can be deployed. After needle deployment, a safety boundary and treatment region are projected on to the screen. After confirming that the safety boundary and treatment regions are sufficient, the patient can be treated using the needle.

1 . A method for deploying at least one needle in tissue, said method comprising:
 deploying the needle in tissue;   providing an image of the tissue showing at least a portion of the needle and at least one anatomical feature;   overlaying the image with projected needle treatment information; and   evaluating the projected needle treatment information relative to a position of the anatomical feature.   
     
     
         2 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein providing an image comprises providing an image via ultrasound. 
     
     
         3 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the needle is deployed from a probe. 
     
     
         4 . A method as in  claim 3 , wherein the anatomical feature is selected from the group consisting of fibroids, tumors, and encapsulated or pseudoencapsulated masses. 
     
     
         5 . A method as in  claim 3 , wherein the anatomical feature includes a fibroid. 
     
     
         6 . A method as in  claim 5 , wherein the probe is positioned in a uterus and the needle is deployed to a location proximate or into the fibroid. 
     
     
         7 . A method as in  claim 4 , wherein the anatomical feature further includes a serosa. 
     
     
         8 . A method as in  claim 7 , wherein the needle information comprises a projected safety boundary. 
     
     
         9 . A method as in  claim 7 , wherein the projected needle information includes at least a projected treatment boundary of a treatment effected through the needle. 
     
     
         10 . A method as in  claim 8 , wherein evaluating comprises confirming that serosa is outside the projected safety boundary. 
     
     
         11 . A method as in  claim 10 , wherein the projected safety boundary permits a distance between the needle and the serosa of no less than 0.5 cm. 
     
     
         12 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the projected needle treatment information comprises a projected needle deployment path. 
     
     
         13 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the projected needle treatment information comprises a projected therapy region. 
     
     
         14 . A method as in  claim 1 , further comprising enabling a treatment device if sensitive anatomic features are outside of the safety boundary. 
     
     
         15 . A method as in  claim 14 , wherein enabling comprises responding to a prompt from the treatment device asking if the sensitive anatomic structures are outside of the safety boundary. 
     
     
         16 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein providing an image comprises scanning the image from a transducer on a probe which carries the needle. 
     
     
         17 . A method as in  claim 16 , wherein the transducer is fixed on the probe so that the image has a field of view which is fixed relative to the probe. 
     
     
         18 . A method as in  claim 1 , further comprising administering a therapy through the needle after the needle has been deployed. 
     
     
         19 . A method as in  claim 18 , wherein the therapy comprises delivering energy selected from the group consisting of radiofrequency, microwave, high intensity focused ultrasound, liquid infusion, vapor, and cryotherapy to a target region in the tissue. 
     
     
         20 . A method as in  claim 18 , wherein the therapy is administered through a radiofrequency power supply connected to the needle. 
     
     
         21 . A method as in  claim 20 , further comprising enabling the power supply after evaluating the projected needle treatment. 
     
     
         22 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the projected needle treatment information comprises a projected safety boundary. 
     
     
         23 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the projected needle treatment information comprises a projected therapy region, a projected safety region and a region therebetween. 
     
     
         24 . A system for deploying a needle in tissue, said system comprising:
 a probe having a deployable needle and an imaging transducer, wherein the needle is configured to be advanced into an image field produced by the imaging transducer, and a system controller including a screen for displaying the image produced by the transducer, wherein the system controller displays an overlay with projected needle treatment information on the screen.   
     
     
         25 . A system as in  claim 24 , wherein the needle treatment information comprises a projected needle path, wherein a user can manipulate the probe to align the projected needle path with a target anatomy in the image field visible on the screen. 
     
     
         26 . A system as in  claim 24 , wherein the system controller further includes a generator for producing a therapy to be delivered through the needle. 
     
     
         27 . A system as in  claim 26 , wherein the therapy generator comprises a power supply adapted to deliver energy selected from the group consisting of radiofrequency, microwave, high intensity focused ultrasound, liquid infusion, vapor, or cryotherapy. 
     
     
         28 . A system as in  claim 26 , wherein the needle information comprises a projected treatment boundary. 
     
     
         29 . A system as in  claim 26 , wherein the needle information comprises a projected safety boundary. 
     
     
         30 . A system as in  claim 29 , wherein the projected safety boundary is at least 0.5 cm from the needle. 
     
     
         31 . A system as in  claim 24 , wherein the system requires the user to confirm the actual needle position within the field of view on the screen before enabling a therapy. 
     
     
         32 . A system as in  claim 24 , wherein the system updates the projected needle treatment information based on an actual needle position. 
     
     
         33 . A method for treating an anatomical feature in a uterus, said method comprising:
 deploying at least one needle proximate the anatomical feature;   delivering radiofrequency energy through an exposed portion of the needle to the anatomical feature, wherein no exposed portion of the needle is closer than 0.5 cm to a serosa surrounding the uterus.   
     
     
         34 . A method as in  claim 33 , wherein the anatomical feature is selected from the group consisting of fibroids, tumors, and encapsulated or pseudoencapsulated masses. 
     
     
         35 . A method as in  claim 34 , wherein the anatomical feature includes a fibroid. 
     
     
         36 . A method as in  claim 33 , wherein no portion of the needle is closer than 0.7 cm. 
     
     
         37 . A method as in  claim 33 , wherein no portion of the needle is closer than 1 cm.