Systems and methods for performing simultaneous ablation

Abstract

A system for treating tissue includes first and second ablation devices each including a plurality of wire electrodes and coupled to a generator in parallel. In one embodiment, the generator includes first and second terminals coupled in parallel to one another, and the first and second ablation devices are connected to the first and second terminals, respectively. Alternatively, the first and second ablation devices are coupled to a single terminal of the generator using a “Y” cable. A ground electrode is coupled to the generator opposite the first and second ablation devices for monopolar operation. The first and second arrays of electrodes are inserted into first and second sites adjacent one another within a tissue region. Energy is simultaneously delivered to the first and second arrays to generate lesions at the first and second sites preferably such that the first and second lesions overlap.

1 - 42 . (canceled) 
   
   
       43 . A system for treating tissue within a tissue region using two different energy types, comprising:
 a first ablation device comprising a first structure configured to deliver energy of a first type;   a second ablation device comprising a second structure configured to delivery energy of a second type different from the first type, wherein the first ablation device and the second ablation device are configured for creating first and second lesions at first and second sites, respectively, within the tissue region, and wherein the first structure and the second structure are independently moveable relative to each other.   
   
   
       44 . The system of  claim 43 , wherein the first ablation device is configured to delivery ultrasound energy while the second ablation device is configured to delivery radio frequency energy. 
   
   
       45 . The system of  claim 44 , wherein the second ablation device comprises an elongate member carrying at least one electrode. 
   
   
       46 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the at least one electrode comprises a single electrode disposed at a distal tip of the elongate member. 
   
   
       47 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the at least one electrode comprises a plurality of electrodes disposed at a distal tip of the elongate member. 
   
   
       48 . The system of  claim 47 , wherein the plurality of electrodes comprise wires. 
   
   
       49 . The system of  claim 44 , further comprising a source of ultrasound energy operatively coupled to the first ablation device. 
   
   
       50 . The system of  claim 44 , further comprising a source of electrical energy operatively coupled to the second ablation device. 
   
   
       51 . The system of  claim 50 , wherein the source of electrical energy comprises a radio frequency (RF) generator. 
   
   
       52 . The system of  claim 44 , wherein the first structure and the second structure are laterally moveable relative to each other. 
   
   
       53 . The system of  claim 44 , wherein the first structure comprises a cannula having a lumen and a shaft disposed within the lumen. 
   
   
       54 . The system of  claim 44 , wherein the second structure comprises a cannula having a lumen and a shaft disposed within the lumen. 
   
   
       55 . The system of  claim 44 , wherein the first ablation device and the second ablation device are configured for creating first and second lesions substantially simultaneously. 
   
   
       56 . A method for creating a lesion within a tissue region, the method comprising:
 inserting a first ablation device configured to deliver energy of a first type into a first site within the tissue region;   inserting a second ablation device configured to deliver energy of a second type into a second site within the tissue region, wherein the first ablation device and the second ablation device are independently moveable relative to each other; and   delivering energy from the first ablation device and the second ablation device to generate lesions at the first and second sites within the tissue region.   
   
   
       57 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the first ablation device and the second ablation are laterally moveable relative to each other. 
   
   
       58 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the first ablation device is configured to delivery ultrasound energy while the second ablation device is configured to delivery radio frequency energy. 
   
   
       59 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the first ablation device and the second ablation device are configured for percutaneous introduction into the tissue region. 
   
   
       60 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the tissue region comprises a liver. 
   
   
       61 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the lesions at the first and second site at least partially overlap. 
   
   
       62 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein insertion of the first ablation device comprises inserting a cannula having a lumen into tissue and inserting a shaft into the first site within the tissue region. 
   
   
       63 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein insertion of the second ablation device comprises inserting a cannula having a lumen into tissue and inserting a shaft into the second site within the tissue region. 
   
   
       64 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the energy from the first ablation device and the second ablation device are delivered substantially simultaneously. 
   
   
       65 . A system for treating tissue within a tissue region using two different energy types, comprising:
 a first ablation device having at least one electrode configured to deliver radio frequency energy;   a second ablation device configured to delivery ultrasound energy, wherein the first ablation device and the second ablation device are configured for creating first and second lesions at first and second sites, respectively, within the tissue region, and wherein the first structure and the second structure are independently moveable relative to each other; and   a source of electrical energy operatively coupled to the at least one electrode.   
   
   
       66 . The system of  claim 65 , wherein the first ablation device and the second ablation device are configured for creating first and second lesions substantially simultaneously.