IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,407,502
Granted Patent B2
US 7,407,502 · App. 11/175,128 · Granted Aug 5, 2008

Radio-frequency generator for powering an ablation device

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,407,502
App. No.
11/175,128
Granted
Aug 5, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

An apparatus and method for use in performing ablation of organs and other tissues includes a radio frequency generator which provides a radio frequency signal to ablation electrodes. The power level of the radio frequency signal is determined based on the subject area of ablation. The radio frequency signal is coupled with the ablation electrodes through a transformation circuit. The transformation circuit includes a high impedance transformation circuit and a low impedance transformation circuit. The high or low impedance transformation circuit is selected based on the impedance of the ablation electrodes in contact with the subject tissue. Vacuum level, impedance level, resistance level, and time are measured during ablation. If these parameters exceed determinable limits the ablation procedure is terminated.

Claims (8)

1. A method of ablating tissue comprising the steps of:

positioning an RF ablation device into contact with target tissue to be ablated, the RF ablation device coupled to an RF power supply;

measuring an impedance of the ablation device in contact with the target tissue; and

automatically selecting between a low impedance transformation circuit and a high impedance transformation circuit based on the impedance of the ablation device in contact with the target tissue, wherein selecting the low impedence transformation circuit electrically couples the RF power supply, the low impedance transformation circuit, and the ablation device and selecting the high impedence transformation circuit electrically couples the RF power supply, the high impedance transformation circuit, and the ablation device; and

energizing the RF ablation device using the RF power supply.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of measuring the impedance of the ablation device in contact with the target tissue includes providing a low-power RF signal to the ablation device.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of selecting includes selecting the transformation circuit having an impedance closest to the measured impedance of the ablation device in contact with the target tissue.

4. The method of claim 1 , further including the step of repeating the measuring and selecting steps a plurality of times during the energizing step.

Assignments (9)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 28, 2026
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: HOLOGIC, INC., ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND AS SUCCESSOR-BY-MERGER TO DIRECT RADIOGRAPHY CORP.; CYTYC CORPORATION, ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND AS SUCCESSOR-BY-MERGER TO BIOLUCENT, LLC; CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS, LLC, AS SUCCESSOR-BY-CONVERSION TO CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED, ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND AS SUCCESSOR-BY-MERGER TO THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; GEN-PROBE PRODESSE, INC.; SUROS SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 075566/0039 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE INCORRECT PATENT NO. 8081301 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 028810 FRAME: 0745. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Nov 9, 2017
From: HOLOGIC, INC.; BIOLUCENT, LLC; CYTYC CORPORATION; CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; SUROS SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.; THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED
To: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA
Reel/Frame 044432/0565 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE INCORRECT PATENT NO. 8081301 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 035820 FRAME: 0239. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY INTEREST RELEASE. Recorded Nov 9, 2017
From: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: HOLOGIC, INC.; BIOLUCENT, LLC; CYTYC CORPORATION; CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; SUROS SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.; THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 044727/0529 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 7, 2015
From: HOLOGIC, INC.; BIOLUCENT, LLC; CYTYC CORPORATION; CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; DIRECT RADIOGRAPHY CORP.; GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED; GEN-PROBE PRODESSE, INC.; SUROS SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.; THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 036307/0199 →
SECURITY INTEREST RELEASE REEL/FRAME 028810/0745 Recorded Jun 4, 2015
From: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: HOLOGIC, INC.; BIOLUCENT, LLC; CYTYC CORPORATION; CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; SUROS SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.; THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 035820/0239 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 1, 2012
From: HOLOGIC, INC.; BIOLUCENT, LLC; CYTYC CORPORATION; CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; SUROS SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.; THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED
To: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA
Reel/Frame 028810/0745 →
TERMINATION OF PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENTS AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTERESTS Recorded Aug 26, 2010
From: GOLDMAN SACHS CREDIT PARTNERS, L.P., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: HOLOGIC, INC.; R2 TECHNOLOGY, INC.; SUROS SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.; BIOLUCENT, LLC; DIRECT RADIOGRAPHY CORP.; CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS II LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; CYTYC CORPORATION; CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS III, INC.; CYTYC PRENATAL PRODUCTS CORP.; THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 024892/0001 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 29, 2008
From: CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS
To: GOLDMAN SACHS CREDIT PARTNERS L.P., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 021311/0118 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 26, 2007
From: CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS
To: GOLDMAN SACHS CREDIT PARTNERS L.P.
Reel/Frame 020018/0653 →