Method and system for direct heating of fluid solution in a hollow body organ

United States Patent m

Masterson et al.

US005653692A [li] Patent Number: [45] Date of Patent:

5,653,692 Aug. 5, 1997

[54] METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DIRECT HEATING OF FLUID SOLUTION ESI A HOLLOW BODY ORGAN

[75] Inventors: Steven P. Masterson, San Francisco;

Robert J. Laird, Richmond, both of
Calif.

[73] Assignee: Innerdyne Medical, Inc., Sunnyvale, Calif.

[21] Appl. No.: 525,436
[22] Filed: Sep. 7,1995

[51] IntCl.6 A61F7/12

[52] U.S. CI 604/113; 604/114; 604/49;

606/27; 607/113; 607/138

[58] Field of Search 604/113, 114,

604/96,118, 105, 107, 49; 606/33, 49, 27, 32; 607/113, 122, 138

[56] References Cited

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Primary Examiner—Corrine M. McDermott

Assistant Examiner—Cris L. Rodriguez

Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Townsend and Townsend and

Crew LLP

The invention provides improved methods and devices for heating a thermally conductive fluid within an internal body organ to thermally ablate or necrose the body organ. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention provides a thermal ablation device having an elongate member with a proximal end and a distal end. A heating apparatus is provided near the distal end of the elongate member which is constructed to heat a thermally conductive fluid without substantial direct heating of the heating apparatus. A fluid circulator is provided near the heating apparatus which circulates the thermally conductive fluid past the heating apparatus.

50 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets