Artifact Reduction System (ARS) for Ultrasound Coblation Procedures

Reference #:

2008-036

Inventors/Contributors

Darryl E. Barnes, M.D., Jay Smith, M.D.

Description

Coblation devices are currently being employed to débride diseased tendons and other soft tissue via open and arthroscopic procedures (i.e. Topaz MicroDebrider by ArthroCare Sportsmedicine). The MMIS system can incorporate this same technology for use under ultrasound guidance. However, debridement with RF (Coblation) produces a small amounts of gas (gas bubbles) that have a very high intensity reflection coefficient (IRC) not allowing visualization of structures deep to these gas bubble via ultrasound, which is highly problematic in ultrasound US guided procedures. Therefore, in order to use Coblation during a US guided procedure, the gas bubbles must be removed to gain proper visualization of the target treatment area. The proposed system consists of the Coblation debrider tip sheathed in a double barreled tube. The surrounding tubes allow the simultaneous or independent flow of gas and fluid coupled or uncoupled to the RF debrider system controller (timer). A pre-cooled solution can be applied to this system to prevent collateral tissue damage by heat.

Patent Status

Pending