Ablation apparatus and system to limit nerve conduction

Abstract

A surgical system and the associated methods for use in Minimally Invasive Surgical procedures for use in the short- and long-term termination of signals through nerves. Such a procedure is an improvement over the current state-of-the-art because of the use of a tightly coupled single-needle bi-polar probe. The proximity of both electrodes, to the nerve or tissue targeted for the treatment, is such that it reduces the losses experienced with external electrodes (e.g. plates or probes). Further, the probe has features associated with locating the probe and dispensing or sampling far above the probes currently available. The resulting improvements provide a quantum leap in technology for the associated medical industries and a base line for these procedures in the future.

1 ) A System for Minimally Invasive Surgery comprising: 
 a. an electrically isolated RF Energy Generator, that delivers up to 500 watts of RF energy in amplitude or frequency modulated form with a frequency between 50 Khz and 2.5 Mhz;    b. a single-needle bi- or multi-polar probe that requires but a single puncture entranceway and has electrodes in close proximity to the extent necessary to promote precision within the procedure itself; and    c. a secondary means to locate and position said single-needle probe by illumination, the creation of electrical signal or signals, or by use of florescent dye.    
     
     
         2 ) A generator as described in claim # 1  that delivers RF energy regulate-able intelligently by use of dynamic load detection measuring the effective load-by voltage, current, phase or varying frequency comprising: 
 a. connection to the probe;    b. connection to the probe's internal microcontroller for memory and sensor reading and writing if any, and to retrieve procedural, control sequence and limitations that are in turn used for that probe's specific procedure;    c. display and sound as required for surgical functionality;    d. memory storage for record keeping of procedural information related to the operating parameters, date, time, sensor measurements taken, and voice or data recording; and    e. connection to a communication channel such as RS-232, RS485, Ethernet, Bluetooth, or any other viable communication media.    
     
     
         3 ) A single needle two electrode probe used in a bi- or multi-polar configuration for Minimally Invasive Surgery comprising: 
 a. an inner diameter electrode made of surgical grade metal of a size and shape dictated by the application requirement;    b. a voltage insulator that covers and creates an electrical isolation between the two exposed electrodes; and    c. an Outer-sleeve return-electrode made of a surgical grade metal with surface area greater than that necessary to eliminate burning of the tissue in contact;    
     
     
         4 ) A single needle multiple electrode probe used in a multi-polar configuration for Minimally Invasive Surgery comprising: 
 a. an inner diameter electrode made of surgical grade metal of a size and shape dictated by the application requirement;    b. a voltage insulator that covers and creates an electrical isolation between the two exposed electrodes; and    c. an Outer-sleeve return-electrode made of a surgical grade metal with surface area greater than that necessary to eliminate burning of the tissue in contact;    
     
     
         5 ) A single needle probe as in claim # 3  or # 4  with a inner diameter electrode hollow such that injections of medications, florescent dyes and the like can be made and samples of the surrounding tissue can be taken.  
     
     
         6 ) A single needle probe as in claims # 3 , # 4 , or # 5  that communicates, to the generator, information related to the procedure, measurements of sensors embedded within the probe and probe specific information.  
     
     
         7 ) A single needle probe as in claim # 3 , # 4 , # 5  or # 6  with an electrical isolator that is capable of illuminating the area so that placement of the probe can be facilitated;  
     
     
         8 ) A method for ablating tissues or terminating the flow of nerve impulses utilizing a single puncture probe introduced via a Minimally Invasive surgical techniques comprising: 
 a. locating probe tip in close proximity to said nerve or target tissue with a needle type probe having an exposed active area or areas on or near the distal tip, said probe and system to generate RF energy so as to ablate, destroy tissue or render nerve conduction through said nerves impossible on either semi permanent or permanent basis;    b. placing said probe tip in position so that ablative energy may be selectively delivered to target tissue thus avoiding destruction or areas and tissues that must remain intact and not be destroyed or traumatized; and    c. delivering RF energy from a tuned RF source so as to destroy target tissues in close proximity to electrode(s) at tip.    
     
     
         9 ) A method as in claim # 7  wherein guidance between auxiliary probes and ablation probes is provided via current signals, illumination or other means.  
     
     
         10 ) A method as in claim # 7  wherein positioning involves placing tip of the probe in desired general area using physiologic and anatomic landmarks with manual guidance.  
     
     
         11 ) A method as in claim # 7  wherein precise positioning is done using illumination from tip region of probe so operator can see exact location of tip through the skin and other intervening structures.  
     
     
         12 ) A method as in claim # 7  whereby the therapeutic probe is guided in to general area desired and then directed precisely under surface marking by observing the location of illumination point emanating from tip of probe.  
     
     
         13 ) A method as in claim # 7  wherein auxiliary probes are inserted into vicinity of target tissues, stimulation energy is applied from the auxiliary probes, location is determined, and the target area is identified by marking the tissue or other means.  
     
     
         14 ) A method as in claim # 7  wherein nerve, muscle, or physiologic reaction is observed by applying stimulation currents from ablative tip(s), thus confirming proper location of tip in relation to target tissue(s).