Vapor ablation systems and methods
A vapor delivery needle is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the energy delivery probe is that it can apply condensable vapor energy to tissue, such as a prostrate, to shrink, damage, denaturate the prostate. In some embodiments, the vapor delivery needle can be advanced a predetermined distance into the prostate with a solenoid actuation mechanism. Methods associated with use of the energy delivery probe are also covered.
1. A prostate treatment device, comprising:
an introducer shaft:
a vapor generator configured to generate a condensable vapor;
a vapor delivery needle in communication with the vapor generator and movably disposed within the introducer shaft;
a magnet attached to the needle;
a solenoid actuator disposed around the magnet, wherein the solenoid actuator comprises a first winding and a second winding; and
a power supply configured to simultaneously supply a first current to the first winding and a second current to the second winding in order to move a distal tip of the vapor delivery needle between a retracted position inside the introducer shaft and an extended position at least partially outside of the introducer shaft, wherein the first current is in a first direction opposite to a second direction of the second current, wherein the first winding is configured to generate a first magnetic field when the first current is applied to the first winding, and wherein the second winding is configured to generate a second magnetic field when the second current is applied to the second winding.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first magnetic field shares a polarity with the magnet.
3. The device of claim 2 wherein the second magnetic field has a polarity opposite to the polarity of the magnet.
4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first magnetic field generates a first force on the magnet.
5. The device of claim 4 , wherein the second magnetic field generates a second force on the magnet in a same direction as the first force.
6. The device of claim 5 , wherein a magnitude of a combination of the first force and the second force is approximately twice a magnitude of the first force alone.
7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the magnet is at least partly within both of the first winding and the second winding in a retracted position of the vapor delivery needle.
8. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a sensor configured to provide a voltage output proportional to a magnetic field produced by the magnet.
9. A prostate treatment device, comprising:
an introducer shaft;
a vapor generator configured to generate a condensable vapor;
a vapor delivery needle in communication with the vapor generator and slidably disposed within the introducer shaft a magnet attached to the needle; and
an actuator configured to selectively simultaneously apply to the magnet a first, repelling, force in a first direction and a second, attracting force in the first direction in order to move a distal tip of the vapor delivery needle between a retracted position inside the introducer shaft and an extended position at least partially outside of the introducer shaft, wherein the actuator includes a second magnet configured to generate a first magnetic field having a first polarity and a third magnet configured to generate a second magnetic field having a second polarity, and wherein the first polarity is opposite to the second polarity.
10. The device of claim 9 , wherein the first magnetic field produces the first force, and wherein the second magnetic field produces the second force.
11. The device of claim 9 , wherein a magnitude of a combination of the first force and the second force is approximately twice a magnitude of the first force alone.
12. The device of claim 9 , further comprising a sensor configured to provide a voltage output proportional to a magnetic field produced by the first magnet.
13. A prostate treatment device, comprising:
an introducer shaft;
a vapor generator configured to generate a condensable vapor;
a vapor delivery needle in communication with the vapor generator and slidably disposed within the introducer shaft;
a magnet attached to the needle;
a solenoid actuator disposed around the magnet, wherein the solenoid actuator comprises a first winding and a second winding; and
a power supply configured to supply at least one current to the solenoid actuator, wherein the supply of the at least one current simultaneously causes (a) the first winding to generate a first magnetic field having a first polarity, and (b) the second winding to generate a second magnetic field having a second polarity, wherein the first polarity is opposite to the second polarity, wherein the first magnetic field shares a polarity with the magnet, and wherein the second magnetic field has a polarity opposite to a polarity of the magnet.
14. The device of claim 13 , wherein the first magnetic field generates a first force on the magnet, wherein the second magnetic field generates a second force on the magnet, and wherein the second force is in a same direction as the first force.
15. The device of claim 14 , wherein a magnitude of a combination of the first force and the second force is approximately twice a magnitude of the first force alone.
16. The device of claim 13 , wherein the magnet is at least partly within both of the first winding and the second winding in a retracted position of the vapor delivery needle.
17. The device of claim 13 , further comprising a sensor configured to provide a voltage output proportional to a magnetic field produced by the first magnet.