Method and Apparatuses for Tissue Treatment

Abstract

Disclosed in the present application are devices for localized delivery of energy and methods of using such devices, particularly for therapeutic treatment of biological tissues. The disclosed devices may contain one or more energy delivery members. The disclosed methods may involve positioning and deploying the energy delivery members in a target site, and delivering energy through the energy delivery members.

9 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a radio-frequency energy delivery member configured for insertion into a tissue to form a tract therein;   a radio-frequency power source coupled to the delivery member; and   a logic resource coupled to the power source and to the delivery member, the logic resource comprising an algorithm or software configured for enabling the delivery of radio-frequency energy from the power source to the delivery member for ablation of the tissue tract.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of claim  1 , wherein the delivery member further comprises one or more deployable delivery members therein. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of claim  1 , wherein the delivery member comprises a fixed insulative member. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of claim  1 , wherein the delivery member comprises a movable insulative member. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of claim  1 , wherein the delivery member is an introducer. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the delivery member comprises a conductive distal portion for the delivery of the ablative radio-frequency energy to the tissue tract. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus, comprising a delivery member configured for insertion into a tissue to form a tract therein, wherein the delivery member comprises:
 an electrically conductive area for the delivery of thermal ablative energy to the tissue tract,   an outer impedance sensor, and   an inner impedance sensing member positionable within the delivery member, wherein the outer sensor and the inner sensing member are configured for bipolar measurement of localized impedance of a tissue volume adjacent to the inner sensing member.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the delivery member is deployable. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the delivery member comprises an insulative member disposed adjacent to a distal portion that comprises the electrically conductive area.