U.S. patent application number 15/348610 was filed with the patent office on 2017-03-02 for tissue dissectors.
The applicant listed for this patent is COVIDIEN LP. Invention is credited to Joseph D. Brannan, Kaylen J. Haley, Casey M. Ladtkow, Richard A. Willyard.
Application Number | 20170056049 15/348610 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45531747 |
Filed Date | 2017-03-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170056049 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brannan; Joseph D. ; et
al. |
March 2, 2017 |
TISSUE DISSECTORS
Abstract
A tissue dissector is provided. The tissue dissector includes a
cannula and an introducer coaxially coupled to the cannula and
movable therein from a retracted position to an extended position.
An introducer is coaxially coupleable to the cannula and movable
therein from a retracted position to an extended position. The
introducer including a generally annular lumen disposed in fluid
communication with an inflation port operably disposed on the
introducer and in fluid communication with an inflatable balloon
that couples to the introducer. The inflatable balloon is movable
from a deflated condition for positioning the introducer adjacent
target tissue, to an inflated condition for separating the target
tissue from nearby tissue and for providing a barrier therebetween
such that the nearby tissue is not affected during the
electrosurgical procedure.
Inventors: |
Brannan; Joseph D.; (LYONS,
CO) ; Haley; Kaylen J.; (Westminster, CO) ;
Ladtkow; Casey M.; (ERIE, CO) ; Willyard; Richard
A.; (LOVELAND, CO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
COVIDIEN LP |
Mansfield |
MA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
45531747 |
Appl. No.: |
15/348610 |
Filed: |
November 10, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13024041 |
Feb 9, 2011 |
9492190 |
|
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15348610 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 17/3472 20130101;
A61B 2017/3456 20130101; A61B 2018/1869 20130101; A61B 17/3417
20130101; A61B 2017/22074 20130101; A61B 18/00 20130101; A61B 17/34
20130101; A61B 2018/00577 20130101; A61B 17/320016 20130101; A61B
2018/00791 20130101; A61B 18/1206 20130101; A61B 2017/320048
20130101; A61B 2017/3488 20130101; A61B 18/1815 20130101; A61B
2017/347 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 17/32 20060101
A61B017/32; A61B 18/18 20060101 A61B018/18; A61B 17/34 20060101
A61B017/34; A61B 18/12 20060101 A61B018/12 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A surgical device for separating tissue, comprising: a cannula
defining a longitudinal lumen therethrough; and an introducer
including: a shaft; an outer member having a first portion coupled
to the shaft and a second portion disposed in spaced relation to
the shaft to define an annular lumen between the second portion of
the outer member and the shaft; an inflatable member coupled to the
second portion of the outer member and in fluid communication with
the annular lumen, the inflatable member transitionable between a
deflated configuration permitting movement of the introducer within
the longitudinal lumen defined through the cannula and an inflated
configuration; and an inflation port in fluid communication with
the annular lumen and configured to supply an inflation fluid to
the annular lumen to transition the inflatable member between the
inflated and deflated configurations.
22. The surgical device according to claim 21, wherein the first
portion of the outer member is disposed proximal to the second
portion of the outer member.
23. The surgical device according to claim 21, further comprising
an annular projection disposed around a distal end portion of the
introducer and configured to engage the cannula.
24. The surgical device according to claim 23, wherein the annular
projection is disposed distal to the inflatable member.
25. The surgical device according to claim 21, wherein the cannula
defines a notch configured to receive the inflation port
therein.
26. The surgical device according to claim 25, wherein the
inflation port is configured to move longitudinally within the
notch upon movement of the introducer within the lumen defined
through the cannula.
27. The surgical device according to claim 21, wherein the
introducer includes a distal tip configured to pierce tissue.
28. The surgical device according to claim 21, wherein a proximal
end portion of the introducer includes a flange configured to
engage a proximal end portion of the cannula to control movement of
the introducer within the lumen defined through the cannula.
29. The surgical device according to claim 21, further comprising a
temperature sensor disposed within the inflatable member and
configured to sense a temperature of fluid within the inflatable
member.
30. A surgical device for separating tissue, comprising: an
elongated shaft configured to move within a cannula; an outer
member having a first portion coupled to the elongated shaft and a
second portion disposed in spaced relation to the elongated shaft
to define an annular lumen between the second portion of the outer
member and the elongated shaft; an inflatable member coupled to the
second portion of the outer member and in fluid communication with
the annular lumen, the inflatable member configured to move between
a deflated configuration and an inflated configuration; and an
inflation port in fluid communication with to the annular lumen and
configured to facilitate movement of the inflatable member between
the inflated and deflated configurations.
31. The surgical device according to claim 30, further comprising a
cannula defining a longitudinal lumen therethrough, the elongated
shaft configured to move within the longitudinal lumen defined
through the cannula.
32. The surgical device according to claim 30, wherein the first
portion of the outer member is disposed proximal to the second
portion of the outer member.
33. The surgical device according to claim 30, further comprising
an annular projection disposed around the elongated shaft distal to
the inflatable member.
34. The surgical device according to claim 33, wherein the second
portion of the outer member is disposed proximal to the annular
projection.
35. The surgical device according to claim 30, wherein the first
portion of the outer member is coupled to the elongated shaft
proximal to the inflation port.
36. The surgical device according to claim 30, wherein the
elongated shaft includes a distal tip configured to pierce
tissue.
37. The surgical device according to claim 30, wherein the
elongated shaft includes a proximal portion having a first diameter
and a distal portion having a second diameter different than the
first diameter.
38. An electrosurgical system, comprising: a fluid source; an
electrosurgical energy source; an electrosurgical instrument
operably coupled to the electrosurgical energy source and
configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to tissue; and a
surgical device for separating tissue, the surgical device
including: an elongated shaft configured to move within a cannula
for placement in tissue; an outer member having a first portion
coupled to the elongated shaft and a second portion disposed in
spaced relation to the elongated shaft to define an annular lumen
disposed between the second portion of the outer member and the
elongated shaft; an inflatable member coupled to the second portion
of the outer member and in fluid communication with to the annular
lumen, the inflatable member configured to move between a deflated
configuration and an inflated configuration; and an inflation port
in fluid communication with to the fluid source for delivering
fluid to the annular lumen to move the inflatable member between
the inflated and deflated configurations.
39. The electrosurgical system according to claim 38, further
comprising a cannula defining a longitudinal lumen therethrough,
the elongated shaft configured to move within the longitudinal
lumen defined through the cannula.
40. The surgical device according to claim 38, wherein the surgical
device includes an annular projection disposed around the elongated
shaft distal to the second portion of the outer member.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/024,041 filed on Feb. 9, 2011, the entire
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Technical Field
[0003] The present disclosure relates to tissue dissectors and,
more particularly, to percutaneously deployable tissue dissectors
including an inflatable balloon at a distal end thereof configured
to protect critical tissue structures.
[0004] Background of Related Art
[0005] During an electrosurgical procedure, e.g., a thermal
ablation procedure, target tissue is heated to high temperatures,
e.g., temperatures high enough to ablate tissue. Under certain
surgical environments, it is sometimes necessary to protect
critical tissue structures, e.g., organ, bone matter, etc. adjacent
the target tissue from the heat associated with the thermal
ablation procedure. To protect adjacent tissue, the adjacent tissue
is typically dissected, covered, shielded or otherwise treated.
[0006] For example, one technique that is commonly utilized for
protecting adjacent tissue structure during a thermal ablation
procedure includes dissecting adjacent tissue by injecting a fluid,
e.g., saline, CO2, D5W, etc., into a space between target tissue
and the adjacent tissue. While this technique works well under
certain surgical environments, this technique is limited, however,
due to the difficulties in controlling the location of the fluid
and difficulty in removing all the fluid from the body. In
addition, and in the instance where the fluid is a gas, e.g., CO2,
the CO2 often dissolves into the tissue, which requires the CO2 to
be replenished (sometimes quite frequently) during a surgical
procedure. As can be appreciated, having to replenish the CO2
during a surgical procedure may increase the length of time needed
to effectively perform the surgical procedure.
SUMMARY
[0007] The present disclosure provides a tissue dissector
configured for use during an electrosurgical procedure. The tissue
dissector includes a cannula having a longitudinal channel with a
longitudinal axis defined therethrough. The cannula has a notch
defined along a length thereof. An introducer is coaxially
coupleable to the cannula and movable therein from a retracted
position to an extended position. The introducer including a
generally annular lumen disposed in fluid communication with an
inflation port operably disposed on the introducer and in fluid
communication with an inflatable balloon that couples to the
introducer. The inflatable balloon is movable from a deflated
condition for positioning the introducer adjacent target tissue, to
an inflated condition for separating the target tissue from nearby
tissue and for providing a barrier therebetween such that the
nearby tissue is not critically affected during the electrosurgical
procedure.
[0008] The present disclosure provides a system for performing an
electrosurgical procedure. The system includes a source of
electrosurgical energy, an electrosurgical instrument that is
adapted to operably couple to the source of electrosurgical energy
and configured to electrosurgically treat tissue of interest and a
tissue dissector. The tissue dissector includes a cannula having a
longitudinal channel with a longitudinal axis defined therethrough.
The cannula has a notch defined along a length thereof. An
introducer is coaxially coupleable to the cannula and movable
therein from a retracted position to an extended position. The
introducer including a generally annular lumen disposed in fluid
communication with an inflation port operably disposed on the
introducer and in fluid communication with an inflatable balloon
that couples to the introducer. The inflatable balloon is movable
from a deflated condition for positioning the introducer adjacent
target tissue, to an inflated condition for separating the target
tissue from nearby tissue and for providing a barrier therebetween
such that the nearby tissue is not critically affected during the
electrosurgical procedure.
[0009] The present disclosure also provides a method for
electrosurgically treating tissue. A step of the method includes
positioning an introducer of a tissue dissector adjacent target
tissue. Deploying a shaft from the introducer between the target
tissue and nearby tissue is a step of the method. The method
includes inflating an expandable balloon operably coupled to the
introducer such that the nearby tissue separates from the target
tissue. The expandable balloon may be segmented into two or more
chambers that are sealed from one another by a divider membrane
extending along the elongated shaft of the introducer. And,
electrosurgically treating the target tissue is a step of the
method.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Embodiments of the presently disclosed tissue dissectors are
described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a system for performing an
electrosurgical procedure according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a tissue dissector
configured for use with the system depicted in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tissue dissector
depicted in FIG. 2 with an introducer in a deployed state;
[0014] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the area of detail depicted in
FIG. 3;
[0015] FIGS. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a tissue dissector
configured for use with the system depicted in FIG. 1 according to
another embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line
segment 6-6 in FIG. 5; and
[0017] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line
segment 7-7 in FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed
herein; however, the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of
the disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore,
specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not
to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims
and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art
to variously employ the present disclosure in virtually any
appropriately detailed structure.
[0019] In the drawings and in the descriptions that follow, the
term "proximal," as is traditional, will refer to an end of a
surgical instrument that is closer to the user, while the term
"distal" will refer to an end of a surgical instrument that is
farther from the user.
[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, a system 100 for electrosurgically
treating tissue is illustrated including a source of
electrosurgical energy, e.g., an electrosurgical generator 2, an
electrosurgical instrument, e.g., a microwave antenna assembly 4, a
fluid source 3 and a tissue dissector 6. The system 100 may be
configured to perform one or more electrosurgical procedures for
treating tissue including, but not limited to, ablating,
coagulating, and fulgurating tissue. For purposes herein, the
system 100 is described in terms of tissue ablation.
[0021] With continued reference to FIG. 1, electrosurgical
generator 2 is configured to generate electrosurgical energy
suitable for ablating tissue. Microwave antenna assembly 4 is
adapted to operably couple to the electrosurgical generator 2 and
is configured to electrosurgically treat tissue of interest
(hereinafter referred to as target tissue "T"). Examples of an
electrosurgical generator 2 and microwave antenna assembly 4 are
detailed in commonly-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/606,767 to Brannan, filed on Oct. 27, 2009.
[0022] Continuing with reference to FIG. 1, and with reference to
FIGS. 2 and 3, an embodiment of the tissue dissector 6 is shown
including a cannula 8 and an introducer 10. Cannula 8 (and
operative components associated therewith) may be made from any
suitable material including but not limited to plastic, surgical
steel, etc. In the illustrated embodiment, cannula 8 is made from
stainless steel.
[0023] Cannula 8 includes open proximal and distal ends 9 and 11,
respectively (FIGS. 2 and 3). Open proximal end 9 is of suitable
configuration to facilitate translation of the introducer 10 within
the cannula 8 (FIG. 2). A flange 13 is disposed adjacent the
proximal end 9 of the cannula 8 and functions as a handle for
sliding the cannula 8 with respect to the introducer 10 (FIGS. 2
and 3). In certain embodiments, the flange 13 may include one or
more components, e.g., hose clamp or the like (not shown), that
serve to lock or otherwise maintain the cannula 8 and introducer 10
in a relatively fixed position with respect to one another.
[0024] Distal end 11 is configured to releasably couple to the
introducer 10 to facilitate inserting the introducer 10 into
tissue. More particularly, distal end 11 "overlaps" (FIG. 2) a
distal tip 15 of the introducer 10 such that the distal tip 15 is
maintained in a relatively fixed orientation with respect to the
cannula 8 and is releasable therefrom when a predetermined pressure
is applied to the cannula 8, e.g., flange 13, and/or introducer 10.
In the illustrated embodiment, the distal end 11 and distal tip 15
of the introducer 10 releasably couple to one another via a
friction-fit or press-fit. Other coupling methods are
contemplated.
[0025] Cannula 8 includes a longitudinal channel 12 (FIGS. 2-4)
having a longitudinal axis "A-A" defined therethrough. The channel
12 is configured to receive the introducer 10 therein (FIG. 2) such
that the introducer 10 is movable, e.g., translatable and/or
rotatable, therein from a retracted position (FIG. 2) to an
extended position (FIG. 3).
[0026] A notch 14 (FIGS. 2 and 3) of suitable proportion is
operably disposed on the cannula 8. The notch 14 is configured to
movably house an inflation port 24 (FIGS. 2 and 3) of the
introducer 10 therein, as described in more detail below. That is,
the notch 14 allows translation of the inflation port 24 along the
longitudinal axis "A-A" such that a distal end 19 including an
inflatable balloon 22 of the introducer 10 may be deployed from the
cannula 8.
[0027] With continued reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the introducer 10
is illustrated. Introducer 10 (and operative components associated
therewith) may be made from any suitable material, including those
previously mentioned above. In the illustrated embodiments, a
portion of the introducer 10 may be made from stainless steel and a
portion of the introducer 10 may be made from plastic, as described
in more detail below.
[0028] Introducer 10 includes a proximal end 16 that functions as a
handle that is maneuverable by a user, e.g., a clinician, such that
a user may position the introducer 10 within the lumen 12 of the
cannula 8 (FIGS. 2 and 3). The proximal end 16 also serves as a
"stop member." That is, the proximal end 16 is configured to limit
movement of the introducer 10 past a predetermined distance with
respect to the cannula 8. To this end, the proximal end 16 is
configured to contact the flange 13 of the cannula 8 (FIG. 3).
[0029] The introducer 10 includes a generally elongated
configuration. In particular, introducer 10 includes a shaft 18
that extends from the proximal end 16 to the distal end 19, see
FIGS. 2 and 3. The introducer 10 includes a generally cylindrical
outer member 17 that couples to the shaft 18 adjacent the proximal
end 16, see FIGS. 2 and 3. Outer member 17 is disposed around and
partially along an elongated shaft 18. Outer member 17 and
elongated shaft 18 are positioned about one another to form at
least one generally annular lumen 20 therebetween, as best seen in
FIG. 4. Outer member 17 may be an integral part of the introducer
10 or, in certain embodiments, outer member 17 may be a separate
component coupled to the introducer 10 via one or more suitable
coupling devices and/or methods, such as, for example, ultrasonic
welding, brazing or the like. Outer member 17 may be made from any
suitable material, including those previously mentioned above. In
the illustrated embodiment, the outer member 17 is made from
plastic, ceramic or metal (FIGS. 2-4).
[0030] The annular lumen 20 extends along the length of the outer
member 17 to the inflatable balloon 22 (FIGS. 2-4). The annular
lumen 20 is configured to receive one or more suitable fluids
including gases, e.g., CO.sub.2, saline, water, etc. therein. The
annular lumen 20 is in fluid communication with the inflation port
24 (FIGS. 2 and 3) and in fluid communication with the inflatable
balloon 22, as best seen in FIG. 4.
[0031] A generally annular projection in the form of a ring 26
(FIGS. 2-4) is disposed on the elongated shaft 18 and is configured
to engage the distal end 11 of the cannula 8 to maintain the
introducer 10 in a relatively fixed position as the introducer 10
is positioned adjacent target tissue "T." The ring 26 also serves
as a point of fixation for the inflatable balloon 22, as described
in more detail below.
[0032] Sharpened distal tip 15 is disposed at the distal end 19
adjacent the ring 26 and is configured to pierce tissue to
facilitate positioning the tissue dissector 6 adjacent target
tissue "T" (FIGS. 2-4). The distal tip 15 may include one or more
beveled edges (not shown) that form a relatively sharpened
peripheral outer edge. Under certain surgical scenarios, the
sharpened distal tip 15 may be configured to temporarily secure to
tissue, e.g., bone matter, for maintaining the introducer 10 in a
substantially fixed orientation with respect to the cannula 8, such
as, for example, when the cannula 8 is being "drawn back" or pulled
to deploy the inflatable balloon 22. Alternatively, distal tip 15
may be rounded or dull to prevent unintentional tissue damage as
the tissue dissector 6 is being positioned adjacent target
tissue.
[0033] With reference again to FIGS. 2-4, inflatable balloon 22 is
illustrated. Inflatable balloon 22 is configured to protect tissue
adjacent or neighboring target tissue, e.g., tissue that is to be
electrosurgically treated. More particularly, the inflatable
balloon 22 is configured to limit or diminish electrosurgical
energy, e.g., microwave field propagation, in addition to thermal
conductivity such that neighboring tissue is not critically
affected during an electrosurgical procedure. As can be
appreciated, this enables aggressive thermal treatment of lesions
near a surface of solid organs, e.g., kidney, liver, lungs, etc.,
with reduced risk of neighboring tissue damage, e.g., bowel, chest
wall, abdominal wall, diaphragm, etc.
[0034] Inflatable balloon 22 is movable from a deflated condition
(FIG. 2) for positioning the introducer 10 adjacent target tissue
"T," to an inflated condition (FIGS. 3 and 4) for separating the
target tissue "T" from nearby or neighboring tissue "NT" and for
providing a barrier therebetween such that the neighboring tissue
"NT" is not critically affected during the electrosurgical
procedure. (FIGS. 3 and 4), as described in more detail below. In
the inflated condition, the inflatable balloon may exhibit one or
more suitable shapes, spherical, oval, rectangular, etc. For
illustrative purposes, the inflatable balloon 22 is shown having a
generally spherical configuration in the expanded configuration
(FIGS. 3 and 4). As can be appreciated, the specific shape that the
inflatable balloon 22 may exhibit in the inflated condition may
vary for a different surgical procedure, the type of tissue that is
to be electrosurgically treated, the location of the tissue that is
to be treated, a manufacturer's preference, etc.
[0035] The inflatable balloon 22 operably couples to the outer
member 17 and the ring 26 of the introducer 10 by one or more
suitable coupling methods, e.g., ultrasonic welding, soldering, etc
(FIGS. 2-4).
[0036] Inflatable balloon 22 may be made from any suitable material
including but not limited to elastomers, metals or combination
thereof. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the inflatable
balloon 22 is made from a high temperature plastic, e.g., plastic
that can withstand temperatures of up to 200.degree. C. In certain
embodiments, the inflatable balloon 22 may be made from plastic and
have operably coupled thereto one or more conductive materials,
described in more detail below.
[0037] Inflatable balloon 22 is in fluid communication with the
annular lumen 20 and the inflation port 24 such that one or more
suitable fluids or gases, e.g., CO.sub.2, saline, water, D5W, DI,
etc., may be introduced to an interior of the inflatable balloon
22, as best seen in FIG. 4. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS.
1-4, an interior wall 28 of suitable proportion defines a single
reservoir or chamber 30 (FIG. 4) that is configured to be filled
with one or more of the previously described fluids, e.g.,
CO.sub.2.
[0038] In certain embodiments, the interior wall 28 of the
inflatable balloon 22 is configured to support (via one or more
suitable coupling methods) one or more temperature sensors or
probes 32 thereon (FIGS. 3 and 4). In the illustrated embodiment,
the temperature sensor 32 is selected from the group consisting of
thermocouples, thermistors and diodes. The temperature sensor 32 is
configured to monitor a temperature of the interior wall 28 of the
inflatable balloon 22, and therefore monitor temperature of tissue
in indirect contact with the interior wall 28. As can be
appreciated, this provides an additional level of safety such that
an end user may monitor dissected or separated tissue, e.g.,
neighboring tissue "NT." In the illustrated embodiment, the
temperature sensor 32 is operably coupled to an optional audio or
visual indicator 34. Moreover, the temperature sensor 32 may be in
operative communication with the generator 2 and/or one or more
modules, temperature control module (not shown), associated
therewith.
[0039] Operation of the system 100 is described in terms of use of
a method for electrosurgically treating tissue, e.g., a microwave
ablation procedure for treating target tissue "T" on a lung "L."
The introducer 10 including the distal tip 15, initially, is
utilized to pierce tissue such that the introducer 10 may be
positioned adjacent target tissue "T," FIG. 2. Subsequently, the
inflatable balloon 22 is deployed from the cannula 8 such that the
inflatable balloon 22 is between the target tissue "T" and nearby
tissue "NT" (FIGS. 3 and 4). The inflatable balloon 22 is inflated
with one or more of the aforementioned fluids, for example,
CO.sub.2, such that the inflatable balloon 22 transitions from the
non-inflated state (FIG. 2) to the inflated state (FIGS. 3 and 4).
As the inflatable balloon 22 transitions from the non-inflated
state to the inflated state, the inflatable balloon 22 separates
the nearby tissue "NT" from the target tissue "T". Thereafter, the
target tissue "T" is electrosurgically treated via the microwave
antenna assembly 4.
[0040] As can be appreciated, the tissue dissector 6 disclosed
herein effectively separates and isolates the nearby tissue "NT"
from the target tissue "T" and reduces and/or eliminates the
likelihood of the nearby tissue "NT" being critically affected as
the target tissue "T" is electrosurgically treated. This is
accomplished without the need of having to introduce any extra
fluid to the surgical environment, which, as noted above, may
increase the length of time needed to effectively perform the
surgical procedure.
[0041] With reference to FIGS. 5-7, a tissue dissector 106 is
illustrated according to another embodiment of the present
disclosure. Tissue dissector 106 is substantially similar to the
tissue dissector 6. Accordingly, only those features that are
unique to tissue dissector 106 are described in detail herein.
[0042] An annular lumen 120 defined between an outer member 117 and
an elongated shaft 118 includes a split configuration defining two
hemispherical lumens 120a and 120b (FIG. 6). Each of the
hemispherical lumens 120a and 120b is in fluid communication with
an inflation port (not explicitly shown) that is configured to
supply each hemispherical lumen 120a and 120b with a corresponding
fluid or gas. To this end, the inflation port includes a multivalve
configuration having two or more valves that selectively supply
fluid or gas to a corresponding one of the hemispherical lumens
120a and 120b. Alternatively, the inflation port may include a
lumen pair, i.e., two independent lumens, that are in fluid
communication with a respective hemispherical lumen 120a and 120b.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5-7, the inflation port is
configured to supply CO.sub.2 to hemispherical lumen 120a and
either saline or water to hemispherical lumen 120b (FIG. 6). As can
be appreciated, the specific fluid or gas supplied to either of the
hemispherical lumens 120a and 120b may vary for a different
surgical procedure, the type of tissue that is to be
electrosurgically treated, the location of the tissue that is to be
treated, a manufacturer's preference, etc.
[0043] FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an inflatable
balloon 122. Inflatable balloon 122 includes two segmented
reservoirs or chambers 130a and 130b that are sealed from one
another by a divider membrane 132 that extends along the elongated
shaft 118 of the introducer 110. The divider membrane 132 may be
made from any suitable material, e.g., an elastomeric material. The
divider membrane 132 is configured to provide a fluid-tight seal
between the two chambers 130a and 130b such that the respective
fluids CO.sub.2 and saline do not mix during inflation and
deflation of the inflatable balloon 122. The chamber 130a with the
CO.sub.2 therein is configured to provide thermal insulation from
the heated saline in the chamber 130b when the target tissue "T" is
heated. Moreover, the chamber 130b with the saline therein provides
a medium that allows the electrosurgical energy, e.g., microwave
energy, to attenuate rapidly therein when the target tissue "T" is
heated.
[0044] Unlike inflatable balloon 22, one or more suitable
conductive materials, such as, for example, metal, is operably
disposed on the inflatable balloon 122. More particularly, a
portion or side, e.g., a hemisphere of the inflatable balloon that
corresponds to a chamber that is configured to receive the
CO.sub.2, is made from or configured to operably couple to one or
more suitable conductive materials. For example, and in one
particular embodiment, a coating of one or more suitable metals
134, e.g., a thin film 134 of copper or stainless steel, conductive
polymer, titanium, gold, etc., is disposed on an exterior (or in
some instances both an exterior and interior) surface along a side
of the inflatable balloon 122 that corresponds to the chamber 130a
(FIG. 7). In another embodiment, the conductive material may be
disposed on the interior wall of the inflatable balloon 122 that
corresponds to the chamber 130a. The conductive metal 134 is
configured to reflect a majority of the microwave energy such that
the microwave energy does not critically affect neighboring tissue
"NT."
[0045] In certain instances, it may prove advantageous to coat the
divider membrane 132 with a thin metal film or conductive material
to achieve the same or similar effect as coating the exterior
and/or interior surface of the inflatable balloon 122. In this
instance, the CO.sub.2 hemisphere provides space, the saline
hemisphere attenuates the microwave energy and the divider membrane
132 reflects microwave energy back toward target tissue "T" and
away from neighboring tissue "NT."
[0046] In use, the chamber 130a, i.e., the chamber that includes
the conductive material 134 and, thus, configured to receive the
CO.sub.2 therein, is positioned adjacent the neighboring tissue
"NT" and chamber 130b, i.e., the chamber that is configured to
receive the saline therein, is positioned adjacent the target
tissue "T," see FIG. 5. Subsequently, each of the chambers 130a and
130b are filled respectively with CO.sub.2 and saline to separate
target tissue "T" from the neighboring tissue "NT." Thereafter, the
target tissue "T" is electrosurgically treated via the microwave
antenna assembly 4. The conductive material 134 reflects the
microwave energy that is not absorbed or attenuated by the saline
in the chamber 130b.
[0047] From the foregoing and with reference to the various figure
drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain
modifications can also be made to the present disclosure without
departing from the scope of the same. For example, in certain
embodiments, the inflatable balloons 22/122 may be configured to
inflate or "fill" in a specific manner to conform to a specific
tissue structure. For example, and in certain instances, the
inflatable balloon 22/122 may be configured to have a cupped
surface in an inflated configuration that conforms to a shape of a
kidney. In certain instances, the inflatable balloon 22/122 may be
configured to have a flat or slightly curved surface in an inflated
configuration that conforms to a shape of a liver.
[0048] While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown
in the drawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited
thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope
as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise.
Therefore, the above description should not be construed as
limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments.
Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within
the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.
* * * * *