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 facilitating treatment of uterine anatomy, the method comprising:
 positioning a probe proximate to the uterine anatomy;   using the probe to provide an image of the uterine anatomy;   overlaying the image with projected treatment region and a safety boundary based on an estimated or actual position of a tissue treatment device, wherein the projected treatment region includes at least a portion of uterine anatomy to be treated; and   aligning the projected treatment region on the image so that the projected treatment region includes at least a portion of the uterine anatomy to be treated and so that a sensitive anatomical structure is outside of the safety boundary.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein aligning the projected treatment region comprises positioning the tissue treatment device to align with the projected treatment region. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising overlaying the image with a projected position of the tissue treatment device. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tissue treatment device comprises a deployable needle configured to ablate the uterine anatomy. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the probe comprises the tissue treatment device. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the tissue treatment device comprises a RF ablation needle. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the probe is delivered transvaginally into a uterus of a subject comprising the uterine anatomy. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein using the probe to provide the image of the uterine anatomy comprises using the probe to provide a real time image of a uterine fibroid to be treated, wherein the sensitive anatomical structure comprises serosa, and wherein the projected treatment region includes at least a portion of a uterine fibroid to be treated. 
     
     
         9 . A method for facilitating treatment of uterine anatomy, the method comprising:
 positioning a probe proximate to the uterine anatomy;   using the probe to provide an image of the uterine anatomy;   overlaying the image with a projected treatment region based on an estimated or actual position of a tissue treatment device, wherein the projected treatment region includes at least a portion of uterine anatomy to be treated; and   aligning the projected treatment region on the image so that the projected treatment region includes at least a portion of the uterine anatomy to be treated.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein aligning the projected treatment region comprises positioning the tissue treatment device to align with the projected treatment region. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising overlaying the image with a projected position of the tissue treatment device. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the probe is used to provide an image of a uterine fibroid to be treated, and the projected treatment region includes at least a portion of a uterine fibroid to be treated. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the tissue treatment device comprises a deployable needle configured to ablate uterine anatomy. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the tissue treatment device is included on the probe. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the probe is delivered transvaginally into a uterus of a subject comprising the uterine anatomy. 
     
     
         16 . A method for facilitating treatment of uterine anatomy, the method comprising:
 positioning a probe proximate to the uterine anatomy;   using the probe to provide an image of the uterine anatomy including a sensitive anatomical structure;   overlaying the image with a safety boundary based on an estimated or actual position of a tissue treatment device; and   adjusting the safety boundary on the image so that the sensitive anatomical structure is outside of the safety boundary.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the probe comprises the tissue treatment device. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the tissue treatment device comprises an array of RF ablation needles. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the tissue treatment device comprises a deployable needle configured to ablate the uterine anatomy. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the safety boundary is based on a position of the deployable needle prior to the needle being deployed. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the safety boundary is based on a position of the deployable needle after the needle is deployed. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein adjusting the safety boundary on the image comprises positioning the tissue treatment device to adjust the safety boundary. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising overlaying the image with a projected position of a tissue treatment device. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the sensitive anatomical structure comprises serosa. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the uterine anatomy comprises a uterine fibroid. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the safety boundary comprises an oval line. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the safety boundary is between 1 cm and 3 cm outward of a projected treatment region boundary. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the probe is delivered transvaginally into a uterus of a subject comprising the uterine anatomy. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the probe comprises the tissue treatment device, wherein the tissue treatment device comprises an array of RF ablation needles, wherein the uterine anatomy comprises a uterine fibroid, and wherein the sensitive anatomical structure comprises serosa.