Helical device and method for aiding the ablation and assessment of tissue

Abstract

A helical needle is attached to a surgical probe to aid in the insertion of the probe into a tissue mass. The tip of the helical needle penetrates the tissue mass in advance of the tip of the probe. The probe is rotated to push the helical shaft of the needle into the tissue mass in the direction of rotation. As the helical shaft advances into the tissue mass, the probe advances with it. Rotating the probe in the opposite direction causes the helical needle and probe to withdraw from the tissue mass. Rotation of the probe and needle is more effective in penetrating rubbery and calcified growths than the conventional method of pushing the probe, and it enables the precise placement of the probe. The helical needle also enables insertion of the probe in situations where an inconvenient angle of entry makes it difficult to push the probe along.

1 . A surgical device, comprising 
 a surgical probe having a substantially straight shaft section and a distal end; and    a helical needle having a distal end and a helical shaft section, the helical needle being affixed to the probe such that the distal end of the helical needle extends beyond the distal end of the probe and the helical shaft section encompasses the shaft section of the surgical probe.    
   
   
       2 . The surgical device of  claim 1 , wherein the surgical probe includes a source of thermal energy.  
   
   
       3 . (cancelled).  
   
   
       4 . The surgical device of  claim 2 , wherein the shaft section of the surgical probe has a diameter in the range of about 2 mm to about 5 mm.  
   
   
       5 . The surgical device of  claim 4 , wherein the helical shaft section has the shape of a circular cylindrical helix, the helical shaft section of the helical needle and the shaft section of the surgical probe being aligned along a common axis.  
   
   
       6 . The surgical device of  claim 5 , wherein the distal end of the helical needle is terminated by a sharp tip for puncturing tissue, the sharp tip being located on the common axis.  
   
   
       7 . The surgical device of  claim 2 , wherein the helical needle has a proximal end including an attachment section, said attachment section being affixed to the shaft section of the surgical probe.  
   
   
       8 . The surgical device of  claim 2 , wherein the helical shaft section of the helical needle has an exterior surface and at least one thermal sensor exposed at the exterior surface.  
   
   
       9 . The surgical device of  claim 2 , wherein the helical needle has an interior channel and at least one thermal sensor within the interior channel.  
   
   
       10 . The surgical device of  claim 1 , wherein the helical needle is made of a rigid material.  
   
   
       11 . The surgical device of  claim 1 , wherein the helical needle is made of a resilient material.  
   
   
       12 . The surgical device of  claim 1 , wherein the helical needle is made of a shape-memory alloy.  
   
   
       13 . The surgical device of  claim 1 , wherein the surgical device has a proximal end and a driving means for selectively rotating the surgical device in a first rotational direction and in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction, the driving means being located at the proximal end of the surgical device.  
   
   
       14 . The surgical device of  claim 13 , wherein the driving means comprises a handle including two opposed turning tabs.  
   
   
       15 . The surgical device of  claim 13 , wherein the driving device comprises a motorized device for rotating the surgical probe.  
   
   
       16 . The surgical device of  claim 13 , wherein the driving device comprises a ratchet assembly having a ratchet gear interconnected with a movable handle, said ratchet assembly being adapted such that the ratchet gear is rotated by movement of the handle.  
   
   
       17 . (cancelled).  
   
   
       18 . A method for inserting a surgical probe into a tissue mass, the surgical probe having a substantially straight shaft section, a distal end and a helical needle affixed to the surgical probe, the helical needle having a distal end that extends beyond the distal end of the probe, the method comprising the steps of 
 puncturing the tissue mass with the distal end of the helical needle; and    rotating the surgical device in a rotational direction such that the helical needle advances into the tissue mass in the rotational direction, thereby advancing the surgical probe in an axial direction, thereby advancing the distal end of the surgical probe into the tissue mass.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the surgical probe has a proximal end and a driving means for selectively rotating the surgical probe in a first rotational direction and in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction, the driving means being located at the proximal end of the surgical probe.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the driving means is calibrated for providing precise depth of penetration of the surgical probe.