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 vapor ablation system comprising:
 a container with a sterile liquid therein;   a pump in fluid communication with said container;   a first filter disposed between and in fluid communication with said container and said pump;   a heating component in fluid communication with said pump;   a valve disposed between and in fluid communication with said pump and heating container;   a catheter in fluid communication with said heating component, said catheter comprising at least one opening at its operational end; and,   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.   
     
     
         2 . The vapor ablation system of  claim 1 , 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. 
     
     
         3 . The vapor ablation system of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one sensor includes one or more of a temperature sensor, flow sensor, or pressure sensor. 
     
     
         4 . The vapor ablation system of  claim 1 , 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. 
     
     
         5 . The vapor ablation system of  claim 1 , wherein said liquid container and said catheter are disposable and configured for a single use. 
     
     
         6 . The vapor ablation system of  claim 1 , wherein said liquid 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. 
     
     
         7 . The vapor ablation system of  claim 1 , further comprising a metal frame within said catheter, wherein said metal frame is in thermal contact with said heating component and conducts heat to said catheter lumen, thereby preventing condensation of said vapor. 
     
     
         8 . The vapor ablation system of  claim 7 , 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. 
     
     
         9 . The vapor ablation system of  claim 1 , wherein said heating component comprises a heating block, wherein said heating block is supplied power by said controller. 
     
     
         10 . The vapor ablation system of  claim 1 , wherein said heating component uses one of magnetic induction, microwave, high intensity focused ultrasound, or infrared energy to heat said fluid.