Coupling device for positioning medical instruments

Abstract

Assembly (10) for positioning an electrode assembly (16) for radiofrequency ablation, comprising a first linear motion guide (11) defining a first axis of motion (103) and comprising a first carriage (111) operable to move along the first axis of motion (103), an XY positioner (12) operable to move a second carriage (123) in a two-dimensional space defined by a second axis of motion (104) and a third axis (105) orthogonal to the second axis of motion. The XY positioner is positioned relative to the first linear motion guide (11) such that the second axis of motion and the third axis are orthogonal to the first axis of motion (103). A first coupling means (125, 14) couples the electrode assembly (16) to the second carriage (123). A second linear motion guide (13) defining a fourth axis of motion (106) is disposed such that the fourth axis of motion is parallel to the second axis of motion (104). The second linear motion guide (13) comprises a third carriage (131) operable to move independently of the second carriage (123). A second coupling means (133, 15) for coupling a tissue stabilising instrument is mounted to the third carriage (131).

We claim: 
     
         1 . A coupling device for positioning medical instruments, comprising:
 an instrument guide comprising a body having opposed surfaces and a first through-hole extending between the opposed surfaces for guiding a first instrument, the at least one first through hole defining a first guide axis.   
     
     
         2 . The coupling device of  claim 1 , wherein the first through-hole defines a first helical pitch for insertion of a first helical instrument, the first helical instrument having a corresponding first helical pitch. 
     
     
         3 . The coupling device of  claim 1 , wherein the first instrument is a first electrode. 
     
     
         4 . The coupling device of  claim 1 , wherein the first instrument is a first tissue stabilizing instrument. 
     
     
         5 . The coupling device of  claim 1 , wherein the instrument guide has a second through-hole with a second guide axis and configured for guiding a second instrument. 
     
     
         6 . The coupling device of  claim 5 , wherein the second through-hole is positioned concentric to the first through-hole. 
     
     
         7 . The coupling device of  claim 5 , wherein the second through-hole defines a second helical pitch for insertion of a second helical instrument, the second helical instrument having a corresponding second helical pitch. 
     
     
         8 . The coupling device of  claim 5 , wherein the second instrument is a second electrode. 
     
     
         9 . The coupling device of  claim 5 , wherein the second instrument is a second tissue stabilizing instrument. 
     
     
         10 . The coupling device of  claim 1 , wherein the instrument guide has a third through-hole configured for guiding a third instrument. 
     
     
         11 . The coupling device of  claim 10 , wherein the third through-hole is positioned around an outer circumference of the first through-hole or along the periphery of the body of the instrument guide. 
     
     
         12 . The coupling device of  claim 10 , wherein the third through-hole is straight and configured for passing a straight needle therethrough. 
     
     
         13 . The coupling device of  claim 10 , wherein the third instrument is a third electrode. 
     
     
         14 . The coupling device of  claim 10 , wherein the third instrument is a third tissue stabilizing instrument. 
     
     
         15 . A method of ablating a tissue, the method comprising:
 obtaining the device of  claim 1 ;   guiding a tissue stabilizing instrument through the body and into the tissue to be ablated;   guiding a first electrode through the body and into the tissue to be ablated;   guiding a second electrode through the body and into the tissue to be ablated; and,   ablating the tissue between the first electrode and the second electrode, the ablating including supplying energy to the first electrode and the second electrode.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the guiding of the first electrode includes guiding a first helical electrode into the tissue. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the guiding of the second electrode includes guiding a second helical electrode into the tissue. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the guiding of the second electrode includes guiding a second straight electrode into the tissue. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the guiding of the first electrode includes guiding a first helical electrode into the tissue, and the guiding of the second electrode includes guiding a second helical electrode into the tissue. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the guiding of the first electrode includes guiding a first helical electrode into the tissue, and the guiding of the second electrode includes guiding a second straight electrode into the tissue.