Vapor ablation handpiece

Abstract

A vapor ablation handpiece for assisting a physician perform vapor ablation with a vapor ablation catheter includes a vapor generating element arranged in a coil shape. A mandrel seated in the body of the handpiece affixes the vapor generating element in the coiled arrangement. A voltage difference is supplied across the length of the vapor generating element when activated, causing the vapor generating element to heat liquid therein converting the liquid to vapor. The heated condensable vapor is delivered to a target tissue through the catheter.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A vapor ablation handpiece for assisting a physician perform vapor ablation with a vapor ablation catheter, the handpiece comprising:
 a body comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is adapted to engage a proximal section of the vapor ablation catheter;   a liquid input port for receiving a liquid;   a vapor generating element comprising a first end, a second end, and an electrically conducting tube in a coiled arrangement comprising a plurality of coil turns;   a mandrel attached to the body supporting the vapor generating element in the coiled arrangement; and   a first electrical conductor in electrical communication with the first end of the vapor generating element, and a second electrical conductor in electrical communication with the second end of the vapor generating element for supplying a voltage difference across the vapor generating element when activated and causing the vapor generating element to heat liquid therein converting the liquid to vapor.   
     
     
         2 . The vapor ablation handpiece of  claim 1  wherein the mandrel maintains a gap between adjacent coil turns. 
     
     
         3 . The vapor ablation handpiece of  claim 1  wherein an axial length of the electrically conducting tube from the first end to the second end is at least 1 inch. 
     
     
         4 . The vapor ablation handpiece of  claim 1  wherein the electrically conducting tube has an inner diameter in the range from 0.05 to 0.1 inches. 
     
     
         5 . The vapor ablation handpiece of  claim 1  wherein the coiled arrangement has a diameter in the range from 1 to 1.5 inches. 
     
     
         6 . The vapor ablation handpiece of  claim 2  wherein each said gap between the coil turns is at least 0.05 inches. 
     
     
         7 . The vapor ablation handpiece of  claim 1  further comprising a switch for controlling a function of the vapor ablation catheter when the vapor ablation catheter is connected to the vapor ablation handpiece. 
     
     
         8 . The vapor ablation handpiece of  claim 7  wherein the switch activates the vapor catheter to deliver vapor continuously. 
     
     
         9 . The vapor ablation handpiece of  claim 1  further comprising at least one light device to indicate status of the handpiece. 
     
     
         10 . The vapor ablation handpiece of  claim 1  wherein the body is pistol-shaped. 
     
     
         11 . The vapor ablation handpiece of  claim 10  further comprising a hook-shaped projection for hanging the handpiece. 
     
     
         12 . The vapor ablation handpiece of  claim 1  wherein the coiled arrangement is traverse relative to the body of the handpiece. 
     
     
         13 . The vapor ablation handpiece of  claim 1  further comprising a fan aimed at the electrically conducting tube. 
     
     
         14 . The vapor ablation handpiece of  claim 1  further comprising at least one thermocouple. 
     
     
         15 . The vapor ablation handpiece of  claim 1  wherein the electrically conducting tube is a steel. 
     
     
         16 . The vapor ablation handpiece of  claim 1  further comprising a flexible electrical cable extending from the proximal end of the handle, and said cable comprising a connector for connecting to a vapor ablation controller. 
     
     
         17 . The vapor ablation handpiece of  claim 1  wherein the mandrel comprises a frame, and a plurality of receptacles, and wherein each receptacle is sized to accept an individual coil turn and hold the individual coil turn in place and to maintain a gap between adjacent coil turns. 
     
     
         18 . The vapor ablation handpiece of  claim 17  wherein the coiled arrangement includes at least 15 coil turns. 
     
     
         19 . A vapor ablation system comprises:
 a controller;   a fluid supply to supply liquid; and   a handpiece coupling the liquid to an elongate catheter wherein the handpiece comprises a vapor generating element held in a coiled arrangement by a mandrel and wherein the vapor generating element is operable with the controller to heat liquid flowing therethrough into vapor, and pass the vapor through the elongate catheter.   
     
     
         20 . A method for ablating tissue with condensable vapor comprises:
 transporting a liquid through an electrically conducting tube;   applying a voltage difference across the electrically conducting tube from a first end to a second end thereby converting the liquid to a condensable vapor; and   delivering the condensable vapor to the tissue.