Medical probe with echogenic and insulative properties

Abstract

Tissue ablation probes and methods of using tissue ablation probes are provided. Each tissue ablation probe comprises an electrically conductive probe shaft, at least one tissue ablation electrode carried by a distal end of the probe shaft, and one or both of an insulative element and an echogenic element. The insulative element and/or the echogenic element may, e.g., be affixed to, or selectively removable from, the probe shaft to increase the insulative capability and echogenicity of the probe. An echogenic sheath having the insulative element and/or the echogenic element may be slidably disposed over the probe shaft to impart insulative and echogenic properties to the probe shaft.

1 .- 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A method of treating a patient, comprising:
 introducing a medical probe into the patient, the probe comprising a probe shaft, at least one operative medical element associated with the probe shaft and a thread arrangement disposed over the shaft;   ultrasonically imaging the medical probe to locate the at least one operative medical element adjacent a tissue region; and   operating the medical probe to perform a medical function at the tissue region.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the medical probe further comprises an electrode carried on a distal end of the medical probe. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the electrode is an RF electrode and RF current is delivered to the electrode in a monopolar fashion. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the electrode is a pair of RF electrodes and RF current is delivered to the electrode in a bipolar fashion. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the thread arrangement is at least one thread wound in a helix formation over the probe shaft. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the medical probe further comprises an electrically insulative layer disposed over the probe shaft. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein operating the medical probe further comprises conveying electrical energy to or from at least one electrode at a distal end of the probe to treat or diagnose the tissue region. 
     
     
         31 . A medical probe comprising:
 an electrically conductive probe shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;   at least one electrode carried on the distal end of the probe shaft;   an electrical connector carried by the proximal end of the probe shaft, wherein the electrical connector is electrically coupled to the at least one electrode through the probe shaft;   an electrically insulative layer disposed over the probe shaft; and   a thread arrangement disposed over the probe shaft, wherein the echogenicity of the probe is increased by the thread arrangement.   
     
     
         32 . The medical probe of  claim 31 , wherein the insulative layer is disposed over the thread arrangement. 
     
     
         33 . The medical probe of  claim 31 , wherein the thread arrangement is disposed over the insulative layer. 
     
     
         34 . The medical probe of  claim 31 , wherein the thread arrangement comprises at least one thread wound in a helix arrangement. 
     
     
         35 . The medical probe of  claim 31 , wherein the thread arrangement comprises a plurality of threads wound in a double-helix arrangement. 
     
     
         36 . The medical probe of  claim 31 , wherein the thread arrangement comprises a plurality of threads in a mesh arrangement. 
     
     
         37 . The medical probe of  claim 31 , further comprising echogenic particles disposed on the thread arrangement. 
     
     
         38 . A medical probe assembly, comprising:
 an electrically conductive probe shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;   at least one electrode carried by the distal end of the probe shaft;   an electrical connector electrically coupled to the at least one electrode; and   an echogenic sheath slidably disposed on the probe shaft, the sheath having a sheath body and a thread arrangement carried by the sheath body, wherein the echogenicity of the probe is increased by the thread arrangement.   
     
     
         39 . The medical probe assembly of  claim 38 , wherein the thread arrangement comprises at least one thread wound in a helix arrangement. 
     
     
         40 . The medical probe assembly of  claim 38 , wherein the thread arrangement comprises a plurality of threads wound in a double-helix arrangement. 
     
     
         41 . The medical probe assembly of  claim 38 , wherein the thread arrangement comprises a plurality of threads in a mesh arrangement. 
     
     
         42 . The medical probe assembly of  claim 38 , wherein the echogenic sheath is electrically insulative. 
     
     
         43 . The medical probe assembly of  claim 38 , wherein the echogenic sheath has a slit extending from an opening in the sheath at least partially along a longitudinal axis of the sheath.