Non-invasive radio-frequency ablation system

Abstract

An ablation device of a non-invasive radio-frequency ablation system includes a substrate having a first surface; a first electrode disposed on the first surface; a second electrode disposed on the first surface and adjacent to the first electrode; a moving unit electrically connected to the second electrode for moving the second electrode to regulate the distance between the second electrode and the first electrode; and a radio frequency generator connected to the ablation device for providing a radio frequency current to the first electrode and the second electrode. According to a method using the ablation device, the first and second electrodes are brought into contact with a third surface belonging to a subject in need of treatment, and the radio frequency current is applied to the electrodes to carry out a treatment procedure. The treatment depth and area are adjusted by changing the relative distance between the electrodes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A non-invasive radio-frequency ablation system, comprising:
 an ablation device comprising:
 a substrate having a first surface; 
 a first electrode disposed on the first surface; and 
 a second electrode disposed on the first surface and adjacent to the first electrode; and 
 a moving unit electrically connected to the second electrode and moving the second electrode to regulate the distance between the second electrode and the first electrode; and 
 a radio frequency generator connected to the ablation device for providing a radio frequency current to the first electrode and the second electrode. 
   
     
     
         2 . The radio-frequency ablation system according to  claim 1 , wherein the moving unit includes a ball screw. 
     
     
         3 . The radio-frequency ablation system according to  claim 1 , wherein the ablation device further comprises a cooling unit disposed on the first surface and between the first electrode and second electrode. 
     
     
         4 . The radio-frequency ablation system according to  claim 3 , wherein the cooling unit includes a cooling chip and/or refrigerant. 
     
     
         5 . The radio-frequency ablation system according to  claim 1 , wherein the substrate further comprises a second surface opposite to the first surface, and the ablation device further comprises a temperature sensing unit disposed on the first surface or second surface. 
     
     
         6 . The radio-frequency ablation system according to  claim 5 , wherein the temperature sensing unit is a thermistor or a resistance temperature detector (RTD). 
     
     
         7 . The radio-frequency ablation system according to  claim 1 , wherein the substrate further comprises a second surface opposite to the first surface, and the ablation device further comprises a treatment depth sensing unit disposed on the first surface or second surface. 
     
     
         8 . The radio-frequency ablation system according to  claim 7 , wherein the treatment depth sensing unit is an ultrasonic transducer. 
     
     
         9 . A method for treating a soft tissue related diseases, comprising the steps of:
 (A) providing a non-invasive radio-frequency ablation system including an ablation device:   the ablation device comprising:
 a substrate having a first surface; 
 a first electrode disposed on the first surface; 
 a second electrode disposed on the first surface and adjacent to the first electrode; 
 a moving unit electrically connected to the second electrode and moving the second electrode to regulate the distance between the second electrode and the first electrode; and 
   a radio frequency current generator connected to the ablation device;   (B) contacting the ablation device with a third surface of a subject in need; and   (C) providing a radio frequency to the first electrode and the second electrode by the radio frequency generator and producing thermal energy to ablate or electrically burn the targeted soft tissue under the third face by the radio frequency.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the step (B) or the step (C) is further followed by a step (D) of moving the second electrode to regulate the distance between the second electrode and the first electrode so as to regulate treatment depth of the first electrode and the second electrode. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the moving unit includes a ball screw. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the ablation device further comprises a cooling unit disposed on the first surface and between the first electrode and the second electrode. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the cooling unit includes a cooling chip and/or a refrigerant. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the substrate further comprises a second surface opposite to the first surface, and the ablation device further comprises a temperature sensing unit disposed on the first surface or the second surface. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the temperature sensing unit is a thermistor or a resistance temperature detector (RTD). 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the substrate further comprises a second surface opposite to the first surface, and the ablation device further comprises a treatment depth sensing unit disposed on the first surface or the second surface. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the treatment depth sensing unit is an ultrasonic transducer. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the third surface is an inner tubular tissue surface. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the third surface is a surface of a nasal concha, throat, bronchus, esophagus, urethra, or rectum.