Radiotherapeutics Corporation

Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.

Peter F Lyons

Robert S Behl

Colin J Nichols

Eben L Kermit

Alexander L Huang

Sharon A Riddle

Method for heating tissue by delivering radio frequency energy through tissue electrodes having controlling energy delivery so that an abrupt increase in impedance between the electrodes and the tissue is observed, typically in the form of an abrupt decrease in power delivered to the electrodes. The power at which the impedance increases and/or the time required to induce such an increase in impedance, are relied on to determine acceptable ranges to achieve a maximum sustainable delivery of radio frequency energy to the tissue consistent with complete, rapid, and uniform heating of the tissue.

Method and system for heating solid tissue

Methods for heating tissue by delivering radio frequency energy through tissue electrodes comprise controlling energy delivery so that an abrupt increase in impedance between the electrodes and the tissue is observed, typically in the form of an abrupt decrease in power delivered to the electrodes. The power at which the impedance increases and/or the time required to induce such an increase in impedance, are relied on to determine acceptable ranges to achieve a maximum sustainable delivery of radio frequency energy to the tissue consistent with complete, rapid, and uniform heating of the tissue.

Improved methods and apparatus for monitoring the delivery of radio frequency (RF) energy from electrodes disposed in tissue for inducing hyperthermia and other purposes. In one form, an impedance display of a power supply comprises an array of discrete light elements, where the number of light elements illuminated increases in response to a percentage increase in calculated impedance. The array of light elements is typically arranged in a non-linear pattern where a left hand portion of the array extends horizontally while a right hand portion extends upwardly. The display allows an operator to visually monitor abrupt increases in impedance between an RF instrument and a target tissue. Such increases are used to determine acceptable power ranges to achieve a maximum sustainable delivery of radio frequency energy to the tissue consistent with complete, rapid, and uniform heating of the tissue.

Growing community of inventors

San Jose, CA, United States of America

Peter F Lyons