Radio frequency ablation cooling shield

Abstract

A medical assembly and method are provided to effectively treat abnormal tissue, such as, a tumor. The target tissue is thermally ablated using a suitable source, such as RF or laser energy. A cooling shield is placed in contact with non-target tissue adjacent the target tissue, and actively cooled to conduct thermal energy away from the non-target tissue. In one method, the cooling shield can be placed between two organs, in which case, one of the two organs can comprise the target tissue, and the other of the two organs can comprise the non-target tissue. In this case, the cooling shield may comprise an actively cooled inflatable balloon, which can be disposed between the two organs when deflated, and then inflated. The inflatable balloon can be actively cooled by pumping a cooling medium through it. In another method, the cooling shield can be embedded within the non-target tissue. In this case, the cooling shield can comprise one or more needles. If a plurality of needles is used, they can be embedded into the non-target tissue in a series, e.g., a rectilinear or curvilinear arrangement. The needle(s) can be actively cooled by pumping a cooling medium through them.

1 .- 13 . (canceled)  
     
     
         14 . A medical assembly for cooling tissue, comprising: 
 an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end;    an array of actively cooled needles extending from the distal end of the elongate member, the needle array arranged in a serried.    
     
     
         15 . The medical assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the array of needles is arranged in a rectilinear pattern.  
     
     
         16 . The medical assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the array of needles is arranged in a curvilinear pattern.  
     
     
         17 . The medical assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the array of needles is staggered.  
     
     
         18 . The medical assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the array of needles is fan-shaped.  
     
     
         19 . The medical assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the array of needle is rake-shaped.  
     
     
         20 . The medical assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the needles are configured to be cooled by a liquid medium.  
     
     
         21 . The medical assembly of  claim 14 , further comprising a cooling pump assembly configured for pumping cooling medium through the needles, and for pumping heated cooling medium from the needles.  
     
     
         22 . The medical assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the elongate member is flexible.  
     
     
         23 . The medical assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the elongate member is rigid.  
     
     
         24 . The medical assembly of  claim 14 , further comprising a cannula, wherein the elongate member is slidably disposed within the cannula, such that the array of needles can be selectively deployed from the cannula and retracted within the cannula.  
     
     
         25 . The medical assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the cannula is configured to be introduced percutaneously into a body of a patient.  
     
     
         26 . The medical assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the cannula is configured to be introduced laparoscopically into a body of a patient.  
     
     
         27 .- 43 . (canceled)