Systems and methods of measuring temperature of tissue during an ablation procedure

Abstract

The present invention provides systems and methods for radiometrically measuring temperature during ablation. An interface module includes a processor; a first input/output (I/O) port configured to receive digital radiometer and thermocouple signals from an integrated catheter tip (ICT) that includes a radiometer; a second I/O port configured to receive ablative energy from an electrosurgical generator; a temperature display; a patient relay in communication with the first and second I/O ports and the processor; and a computer-readable medium storing radiometer and thermocouple operation parameters and instructions for causing the processor to: calculate a temperature adjacent to the ICT based on the radiometer and thermocouple signals and the operation parameters, causing the temperature display to display the calculated temperature, and closing the patient relay so as to pass ablative energy received on the second I/O port to the first I/O port.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A patient interface module configured to operatively couple an ablation catheter and an energy delivery module, comprising:
 a first connector configured to connect to an ablation catheter, the ablation catheter comprising an ablation member for providing ablative energy to targeted tissue of a subject, wherein the ablation catheter comprises at least one temperature sensor for determining a temperature associated with the targeted tissue during an ablation procedure;   circuitry configured to receive at least one signal from the at least one temperature sensor of the ablation catheter, wherein the at least one temperature sensor comprises a radiometer;   wherein the circuitry further comprises at least one signal filter for filtering out residual ablative energy from the at least one signal obtained by the at least one temperature sensor; and   a second connector for operatively coupling to an energy delivery module.   
     
     
         23 . The module of  claim 22 ,
 wherein the at least one signal received by the circuitry comprises an analog signal, wherein the circuitry comprises an analog-to-digital converter that is configured to convert the analog signal to at least one digital signal;   wherein the energy delivery module comprises a radiofrequency (RF) generator, wherein the at least one signal filter is configured to filter out residual RF energy; and   wherein the circuitry is additionally configured to receive electrocardiogram signals obtained from the ablation catheter.   
     
     
         24 . The module of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one signal received by the circuitry comprises an analog signal. 
     
     
         25 . The module of  claim 24 , wherein the circuitry comprises an analog-to-digital converter that is configured to convert the analog signal to at least one digital signal. 
     
     
         26 . The module of  claim 22 , wherein the circuitry is configured to receive at least one radiometric temperature signal from the at least one temperature sensor of the catheter. 
     
     
         27 . The module of  claim 22 , wherein the energy delivery module comprises a radiofrequency (RF) generator, wherein the at least one signal filter is configured to filter out residual RF energy. 
     
     
         28 . The module of  claim 22 , wherein the ablation member comprises one of a radiofrequency (RF) electrode, an ultrasound transducer, a microwave emitter and a cryoablation source. 
     
     
         29 . The module of  claim 22 , wherein the circuitry is configured to receive electrocardiogram signals obtained from the ablation catheter. 
     
     
         30 . An ablation system for facilitating delivery of ablative energy to targeted tissue of a subject, comprising:
 an energy delivery module; and   a patient interface module comprising:
 a connector configured to operatively couple to an ablation catheter, the ablation catheter comprising an ablation member for providing ablative energy to targeted tissue of a subject, wherein the ablation catheter comprises at least one temperature sensor for determining a temperature associated with the targeted tissue, wherein the at least one temperature sensor comprises a radiometer; and 
 circuitry configured to receive a signal from the at least one temperature sensor of the ablation catheter; 
 wherein the circuitry further comprises at least one signal filter for filtering out residual ablative energy from the signal obtained by the at least one temperature sensor; and 
   wherein the patient interface module is configured to operatively couple to an energy delivery module.   
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 30 , further comprising an ablation catheter configured to operatively couple to the patient interface module. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the signal received by the circuitry of the patient interface module comprises an analog signal, and wherein the circuitry comprises an analog-to-digital converter that is configured to convert the analog signal to at least one digital signal. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the energy delivery module comprises a radiofrequency (RF) generator, wherein the at least one signal filter is configured to filter out residual RF energy. 
     
     
         34 . The module of  claim 30 , wherein the ablation member comprises one of a radiofrequency (RF) electrode, an ultrasound transducer, a microwave emitter and a cryoablation source. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the circuitry is configured to receive electrocardiogram signals obtained from the ablation catheter. 
     
     
         36 . A method of operating an ablation system using a patient interface module, the method comprising:
 receiving a signal from at least one temperature sensor of a catheter, wherein the at least one temperature sensor is configured to determine a temperature associated with the targeted tissue, wherein the at least one temperature sensor comprises a radiometer;   providing the signal from the at least one temperature sensor to a circuitry of a patient interface module, wherein the patient interface module operatively couples the catheter to an energy delivery module; and   passing ablative energy from an energy delivery module via the patient interface module to at least one ablation member of the catheter to treat the targeted tissue.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising filtering out residual ablative energy from the signal obtained by the at least one temperature sensor using at least one signal filter of the circuitry. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the signal provided from the at least one temperature sensor to the circuitry of the patient interface module comprises an analog signal, and further comprising converting the signal provided from the at least one temperature sensor from an analog signal to a digital signal using an analog-to-digital converter. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising:
 filtering out residual ablative energy from the signal obtained by the at least one temperature sensor using at least one signal filter of the circuitry; and   wherein the signal provided from the at least one temperature sensor to the circuitry of the patient interface module comprises an analog signal; and   converting the signal provided from the at least one temperature sensor from an analog signal to a digital signal using an analog-to-digital converter;   wherein the energy delivery device comprises a radiofrequency generator.   
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the ablation member comprises a radiofrequency (RF) electrode. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the ablation member comprises one of an ultrasound transducer, a microwave emitter and a cryoablation source.