Method and Apparatus for Tissue Ablation

Abstract

The present application discloses devices that ablate human tissue. The device comprises a catheter with a shaft through which an ablative agent can travel, a liquid reservoir and a heating component, which may comprise a length of coiled tubing contained within a heating element, wherein activation of said heating element causes said coiled tubing to increase from a first temperature to a second temperature and wherein the increase causes a conversion of liquid within the coiled tubing to vapor, a reusable cord connecting the outlet of the reservoir to the inlet of the heating component, and a single use cord connecting a pressure-resistant inlet port of a vapor based ablation device to the outlet of the heating component.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A tissue ablation device, comprising:
 a. A liquid reservoir, wherein said reservoir includes an outlet connector that can resist at least  1  atm of pressure for the attachment of a reusable cord;   b. A heating component comprising:
 i. a length of coiled tubing contained within a heating element, wherein activation of said heating element causes said coiled tubing to increase from a first temperature to a second temperature and wherein said increase causes a conversion of liquid within said coiled tubing to vapor; and 
 ii. an inlet connected to said coiled tubing; 
 iii. an outlet connected to said coiled tubing; and 
 iv. at least one pressure-resistant connection attached to the inlet and/or outlet; 
   c. A cord connecting the outlet of said reservoir to the inlet of the heating component;   d. A single use cord connecting a pressure-resistant inlet port of a vapor based ablation device to the outlet of said heating component.   
     
     
         2 . The tissue ablation device of  claim 1 , wherein said liquid reservoir is integrated within an operating room equipment generator. 
     
     
         3 . The tissue ablation device of  claim 1 , wherein said liquid is water and said vapor is steam. 
     
     
         4 . The tissue ablation device of  claim 1 , wherein said pressure-resistant connections are luer lock connections. 
     
     
         5 . The tissue ablation device of  claim 1 , wherein said coiled tubing is copper. 
     
     
         6 . The tissue ablation device of  claim 1 , further comprising a foot pedal, wherein only when said foot pedal is pressed, vapor is generated and passed into said single use cord. 
     
     
         7 . The tissue ablation device of  claim 1 , further comprising a foot pedal, wherein only when pressure is removed from said foot pedal, vapor is generated and passed into said single use cord. 
     
     
         8 . A vapor ablation system comprising:
 a. a container with a sterile liquid therein;   b. a pump in fluid communication with said container;   c. a first filter disposed between and in fluid communication with said container and said pump;   d. a heating component in fluid communication with said pump;   e. a valve disposed between and in fluid communication with said pump and heating container;   f. a catheter in fluid communication with said heating component, said catheter comprising at least one opening at its operational end; and,   g. a microprocessor in operable communication with said pump and said heating component, wherein said microprocessor controls the pump to control a flow rate of the liquid from said container, through said first filter, through said pump, and into said heating component, wherein said liquid is converted into vapor via the transfer of heat from said heating component to said fluid, wherein said conversion of said fluid into said vapor results is a volume expansion and a rise in pressure where said rise in pressure forces said vapor into said catheter and out said at least one opening, and wherein a temperature of said heating component is controlled by said microprocessor.   
     
     
         9 . The vapor ablation system of  claim 8 , further comprising at least one sensor on said catheter, wherein information obtained by said sensor is transmitted to said microprocessor, and wherein said information is used by said microprocessor to regulate said pump and said heating component and thereby regulate vapor flow. 
     
     
         10 . The vapor ablation system of  claim 9 , wherein said at least one sensor includes one or more of a temperature sensor, flow sensor, or pressure sensor. 
     
     
         11 . The vapor ablation system of  claim 8 , further comprising a screw cap on said liquid container and a puncture needle on said first filter, wherein said screw cap is punctured by said puncture needle to provide fluid communication between said container and said first filter. 
     
     
         12 . The vapor ablation system of  claim 8 , wherein said liquid container and said catheter are disposable and configured for a single use. 
     
     
         13 . The vapor ablation system of  claim 8 , wherein said fluid container, first filter, pump, heating component, and catheter are connected by sterile tubing and wherein the connections between said pump and said heating component and said heating component and said catheter are pressure resistant. 
     
     
         14 . A tissue ablation system comprising:
 a. a catheter with a proximal end and a distal end and a lumen therebetween, said catheter comprising: a handle proximate the proximal end of said catheter and housing a fluid heating chamber and a heating element enveloping said chamber, a wire extending distally from said heating element and leading to a controller; an insulating sheath extending and covering the length of said catheter and disposed between said handle and said heating element at said distal end of said catheter; and, at least one opening proximate the distal end of said catheter for the passage of vapor; and,   b. a controller operably connected to said heating element via said wire, wherein said controller is capable of modulating energy supplied to said heating element and further wherein said controller is capable of adjusting a flow rate of liquid supplied to said catheter;   c. wherein liquid is supplied to said heating chamber and then converted to vapor within said heating chamber by a transfer of heat from said heating element to said chamber, wherein said conversion of said liquid to vapor results in a volume expansion and a rise in pressure within said catheter, and wherein said rise in pressure pushes said vapor through said catheter and out said at least one opening.   
     
     
         15 . The tissue ablation system of  claim 14 , further comprising a pressure resistant fitting attached to said fluid supply and a one-way valve in said pressure resistant fitting to prevent a backflow of vapor into the fluid supply. 
     
     
         16 . The tissue ablation system of  claim 14 , further comprising at least one sensor on said catheter, wherein information obtained by said sensor is transmitted to said microprocessor, and wherein said information is used by said microprocessor to regulate said pump and said heating component and thereby regulate vapor flow. 
     
     
         17 . The tissue ablation system of  claim 14 , further comprising a metal frame within said catheter, wherein said metal frame is in thermal contact with said heating chamber and conducts heat to said catheter lumen, thereby preventing condensation of said vapor. 
     
     
         18 . The tissue ablation system of  claim 17 , wherein said metal frame comprises a metal skeleton with outwardly extending fins at regularly spaced intervals, a metal spiral, or a metal mesh and wherein said metal frame comprises at least one of copper, stainless steel, or another ferric material. 
     
     
         19 . The tissue ablation system of  claim 14 , wherein said heating element comprises a heating block, wherein said heating block is supplied power by said controller. 
     
     
         20 . The tissue ablation system of  claim 14 , wherein said heating element uses one of magnetic induction, microwave, high intensity focused ultrasound, or infrared energy to heat said heating chamber and the fluid therein.