Flexible rf ablation needle

Abstract

Devices, methods, and systems for the treatment of tissue using energy delivery. Specifically, certain embodiments may be used for the treatment of lung tissue, such as lung nodules, using RF ablation, via a catheter provided with a first electrode attached to a distal end of the catheter, wherein the first electrode is hollow, wherein the first electrode comprises a piercing tip configured to pierce through an airway wall and a second electrode received in a movable manner within the first electrode, wherein the second electrode is extendable from the first electrode to form a first extended configuration.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A device comprising:
 a guide sheath;   a catheter including an elongate body configured to extend through the guide sheath to a target location in a lumen within a patient;   a distal tip forming a distal end of the catheter including a distal port, the distal tip forming at least an outer surface of the distal port of the catheter;   an elongate tissue piercing implement configured to be received in a longitudinally movable manner within the catheter, wherein a distal section of the elongate tissue piercing implement forms a helical configuration upon extension out of the distal port of the catheter.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the elongate tissue piercing implement includes a piercing end formed from a superelastic material. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the distal tip includes a tissue piercing end attached to, adhered to, or integrally formed with the distal tip. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the elongate tissue piercing implement is constructed at least in part from a shape-memory material having a martensite configuration at a first lower temperature, and an austenite configuration at a second temperature above body temperature, and wherein the elongate tissue piercing implement is configured to adopt a first straight configuration while in the martensite configuration, and a bend or coil while in the austenite configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the elongate tissue piercing implement is configured to cork-screw into a target tissue upon extension out of the distal port of the catheter. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the elongate tissue piercing implement is a flexible needle. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the flexible needle is configured to deliver a medicant into the target tissue. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of the distal tip forms a first electrode; and wherein the elongate tissue piercing implement is a second electrode. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the first electrode and second electrode comprise a bipolar radiofrequency ablation electrode. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising a handle attached at a proximal end of the catheter, wherein the handle comprises an activation device configured to extend the elongate tissue piercing implement through the distal port surrounded by the distal tip. 
     
     
         12 . A system for the delivery of a tissue piercing implement, the system comprising:
 a delivery device comprising:
 an airway component configured to be inserted into an airway, the airway component comprising an elongate body including a channel, a distal tip, and the tissue piercing implement; and 
 a handle attached at a proximal end of the airway component, the handle comprising a first activation toggle configured to extend the tissue piercing implement from within the channel, 
 wherein the tissue piercing implement is received in a movable manner within the channel and a distal portion of the tissue piercing implement is extendable through the distal tip to form a helical or a coiled configuration upon exiting the channel. 
   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the tissue piercing implement is in a straight configuration when within the channel. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein when the distal portion of the tissue piercing implement is extended out of the channel the distal portion transitions from the straight configuration to the helical or coiled configuration to engage a target tissue in a cork-screw manner. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the distal tip forms at least a portion of an outer surface of a distal end of the elongate body and surrounds a distal end of the channel. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein at least a portion of the distal tip forms a first electrode, and wherein a distal end of the tissue piercing implement forms a second electrode. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising a power source connected to the first electrode and the second electrode, the power source configured to deliver bipolar RF energy. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the tissue piercing implement includes a piercing end formed from a superelastic material. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the distal tip includes a tissue piercing end attached to, adhered to, or integrally formed with the distal tip. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the tissue piercing implement is constructed at least in part from a shape-memory material having a martensite configuration at a first lower temperature, and an austenite configuration at a second temperature above body temperature, and wherein the elongate tissue piercing implement is configured to adopt a first straight configuration while in the martensite configuration, and a bend or coil while in the austenite configuration. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the tissue piercing implement is a flexible needle configured to deliver a fluid to the target tissue.