Hyperthermia treatment and probe therefor

Abstract

A probe that emits energy to coagulate lesions is disclosed. The probe is constructed and arranged to emit light from its distal end, either at an angle to its longitudinal axis, or along its longitudinal axis. Optionally, an end reflector may be used to direct the energy in a beam to one side of the fiber end. An MRI system is arranged to generate a series of output signals indicative of temperature in the targeted area. The application of energy is stopped when the temperature at the boundary of the lesion reaches the required hyperthermic temperature. Cooling of the tip portion of the probe is effected by expansion of a supplied cooling fluid through a restrictive orifice into an expansion zone at the probe end to minimize collateral tissue damage.

1 . A method of destroying unwanted fat cells comprising: a) identifying fat cells to be destroyed thereby defining a target that is a volume of fat cells; b) percutaneously inserting a probe having a distal end capable emitting energy; c) positioning said probe such that said distal end is operationally proximate said target; d) emitting energy from the distal end of the probe sufficient to destroy fat cells; and e) moving the distal end of the probe through the volume of fat cells and emitting energy from the distal end, either successively or simultaneously, until the targeted volume of fat cells has been destroyed. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising cooling the distal end of the probe to prevent overheating cells not included in the volume of fat cells. 
     
     
         3 . A method of preventing blood from flowing to a lesion, comprising: a) identifying a lesion; b) percutaneously inserting a probe having a distal end capable emitting energy; c) positioning said probe such that said distal end is operationally proximate said lesion; and d) emitting energy from the distal end of the probe sufficient to destroy a lumen of a blood vessel leading to said lesion. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein steps b) and c) comprise: forming an entry hole in the skull of the patient; fastening a cannula to the skull through the entry hole, the cannula constructed and arranged to create an insertion path for the probe that is aimed directly at the lesion; and inserting the probe into the cannula such that said distal end is operationally proximate said lesion. 
     
     
         5 . A method of repairing, reconstructing or removing tissue comprising: a) identifying a target that comprises tissue to be repaired, reconstructed or removed; b) percutaneously inserting a probe having a distal end capable emitting energy; c) positioning said probe such that said distal end is operationally proximate said targeted tissue; d) emitting energy from the distal end of the probe sufficient to repair, reconstruct or remove said targeted tissue; and e) moving the distal end of the probe through the targeted tissue and emitting energy from the distal end, either successively or simultaneously, until the targeted volume has been repaired, reconstructed or removed. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  including cooling the distal end of the probe to prevent overheating tissue that is not included in the targeted tissue. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the targeted tissue is healthy tissue. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the targeted tissue is scar tissue. 
     
     
         9 . A method of destroying unwanted fat cells comprising: a) identifying fat cells to be destroyed thereby defining a target that is a volume of fat cells; b) percutaneously inserting a probe having a distal end capable emitting energy; c) positioning said probe such that said distal end is operationally proximate said target; d) emitting energy from the distal end of the probe sufficient to destroy fat cells; e) moving the distal end of the probe through the volume of fat cells and emitting energy from the distal end, either successively or simultaneously, until the targeted volume of fat cells has been destroyed; and f) cooling the distal end of the probe to prevent overheating cells not included in the volume of fat cells by (i) directing cooling fluid to an expansion zone in the distal end of the probe through a supply duct defined by the probe; (ii) allowing the cooling fluid to undergo a phase change to gas in the expansion zone; and (iii) retrieving the gas through a return duct defined by the probe, wherein heating the volume comprises directing laser energy through an optical fiber contained within the probe and deflecting the laser energy off of a chamfered end of the optical fiber located in the expansion zone. 
     
     
         10 . A method of preventing blood from flowing to a lesion, comprising: a) identifying a lesion; b) percutaneously inserting a probe having a distal end capable emitting energy; c) positioning said probe such that said distal end is operationally proximate said lesion; d) emitting energy from the distal end of the probe sufficient to destroy a lumen of a blood vessel leading to said lesion; and e) cooling the distal end of the probe by (i) directing cooling fluid to an expansion zone in the distal end of the probe through a supply duct defined by the probe; (ii) allowing the cooling fluid to undergo a phase change to gas in the expansion zone; and (iii) retrieving the gas through a return duct defined by the probe, wherein emitting energy from the distal end of the probe comprises directing laser energy through an optical fiber contained within the probe and deflecting the laser energy off of a chamfered end of the optical fiber located in the expansion zone. 
     
     
         11 . A method of repairing, reconstruction or removing tissue comprising: a) identifying a target that comprises tissue to be repaired, reconstructed or removed; b) percutaneously inserting a probe having a distal end capable emitting energy; c) positioning said probe such that said distal end is operationally proximate said targeted tissue; d) emitting energy from the distal end of the probe sufficient to repair, reconstruct or remove said targeted tissue; e) moving the distal end of the probe through the targeted tissue and emitting energy from the distal end, either successively or simultaneously, until the targeted tissue has been repaired, reconstructed or removed; and f) cooling the distal end of the probe to prevent overheating tissue that is not included in the targeted tissue by (i) directing cooling fluid to an expansion zone in the distal end of the probe through a supply duct defined by the probe; (ii) allowing the cooling fluid to undergo a phase change to gas in the expansion zone; and (iii) retrieving the gas through a return duct defined by the probe, wherein emitting energy from the distal end of the probe comprises directing laser energy through an optical fiber contained within the probe and deflecting the laser energy off of a chamfered end of the optical fiber located in the expansion zone.