PULSED FIELD ABLATION APPARATUS AND RELATED METHODS
Methods and devices for carrying out pulsed field ablation are disclosed. Specifically, the instant disclosure includes surgical clamps configured to clamp tissue and determine the distance between repositionable jaws and tailor pulse field ablation energy to the thickness of the clamped tissue, which is indicative of the spacing between the repositionable jaws. Also disclosed are methods of calibrating pulse field ablation devices and methods of using pulse field ablation devices.
1 . A surgical device, comprising:
a shaft; and
a first jaw and a second jaw operatively coupled to a distal end of the shaft, wherein the first jaw is repositionable with respect to the second jaw;
wherein each of the first jaw and the second jaw comprises at least three electrodes exposed with respect to an insulating material and spaced radially across a longitudinal cross-section thereof;
wherein each of the first jaw and the second jaw terminates at a respective tip.
2 . The surgical device of claim 1 , wherein:
the longitudinal cross-section of the first jaw includes the insulating material exhibiting a convex profile; and
the longitudinal cross-section of the second jaw includes the insulating material exhibiting a convex profile.
3 .- 7 . (canceled)
8 . The surgical device of claim 1 , wherein:
the longitudinal cross-section of the first jaw includes the insulating material exhibiting a convex profile; and
the longitudinal cross-section of the second jaw includes the insulating material exhibiting a concave profile.
9 .- 17 . (canceled)
18 . The surgical device of claim 1 , wherein:
the longitudinal cross-section of the first jaw includes the insulating material exhibiting a concave profile; and
the longitudinal cross-section of the second jaw includes the insulating material exhibiting a concave profile.
19 .- 41 . (canceled)
42 . A surgical device, comprising:
a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein the first jaw is repositionable with respect to the second jaw;
wherein each of the first jaw and the second jaw comprises an electrode extending beyond an insulating material;
wherein each of the first jaw and the second jaw terminates at a respective tip; and
wherein at least one of a potentiometer, a Hall effect sensor, and a plurality of continuity switches is operatively coupled to the first jaw and is configured to vary an output voltage as a function of a position of the first jaw with respect to the second jaw.
43 . The surgical device of claim 42 , wherein at least one of the potentiometer, the Hall effect sensor, and the plurality of continuity switches is configured to be in electrical communication with a pulse frequency ablation controller.
44 . The surgical device of claim 42 , further comprising:
a handle,
a shaft coupled to the handle, wherein:
the potentiometer is operatively coupled to the first jaw;
the first jaw and the second jaw are operatively coupled to a distal end of the shaft;
a first component of the potentiometer is fixedly mounted to the handle; and
a second component of the potentiometer is fixedly mounted to a repositionable linkage within the handle, the repositionable linkage operatively coupled to the first jaw.
45 . The surgical device of claim 44 , wherein:
the first component of the potentiometer comprises dual terminals of a resistive element; and,
the second component of the potentiometer comprises at least one of a pogo pin, a cantilever finger, and a spring arm.
46 . The surgical device of claim 44 , wherein:
the first component of the potentiometer comprises at least one of a pogo pin, a cantilever finger, and a spring arm; and,
the second component of the potentiometer comprises dual terminals of a resistive element.
47 . The surgical device of claim 44 , wherein the handle houses an actuator mechanism that includes a return spring biasing a housing operatively coupled to the repositionable linkage.
48 . The surgical device of claim 47 , wherein the actuator mechanism further includes a force limiting spring and a relief rod operatively coupled to the housing.
49 . The surgical device of claim 48 , wherein the relief rod is operatively coupled to a plunger repositionably mounted to the handle.
50 . The surgical device of claim 42 , wherein:
the potentiometer is operatively coupled to the first jaw; and
the potentiometer comprises a linear potentiometer.
51 . The surgical device of claim 50 , wherein the potentiometer comprises a sealed linear membrane potentiometer.
52 .- 53 . (canceled)
54 . The surgical device of claim 42 , further comprising:
a handle,
a shaft coupled to the handle, wherein:
the Hall effect sensor is operatively coupled to the first jaw;
the first jaw and the second jaw are operatively coupled to a distal end of the shaft;
the Hall effect sensor is fixedly mounted to the handle; and
a magnet is fixedly mounted to a repositionable linkage within the handle, the repositionable linkage operatively coupled to the first jaw.
55 . The surgical device of claim 52 , wherein:
a magnet is fixedly mounted to the handle; and
the Hall effect sensor is fixedly mounted to a repositionable linkage within the handle, the repositionable linkage operatively coupled to the first jaw.
56 . The surgical device of claim 54 , wherein the magnet is at least one of a permanent magnet and an electromagnet.
57 . The surgical device of claim 54 , wherein the handle houses an actuator mechanism that includes a return spring biasing a housing operatively coupled to the repositionable linkage.
58 . The surgical device of claim 57 , wherein the actuator mechanism further includes a force limiting spring and a relief rod operatively coupled to the housing.
59 . The surgical device of claim 58 , wherein the relief rod is operatively coupled to a plunger repositionably mounted to the handle.
60 .- 61 . (canceled)
62 . The surgical device of claim 42 , further comprising:
a handle,
a shaft coupled to the handle, wherein:
the plurality of continuity switches is operatively coupled to the first jaw;
the first jaw and the second jaw are operatively coupled to a distal end of the shaft;
a fixture configured to close at least one of the continuity switches is fixedly mounted to the handle; and
at least one of the plurality of continuity switches is fixedly mounted to a repositionable linkage within the handle, the repositionable linkage operatively coupled to the first jaw.
63 . The surgical device of claim 42 , further comprising:
a handle,
a shaft coupled to the handle, wherein:
the plurality of continuity switches is operatively coupled to the first jaw;
the first jaw and the second jaw are operatively coupled to a distal end of the shaft;
at least one of the plurality of continuity switches is fixedly mounted to the handle; and
a fixture configured to close at least one of the continuity switches is fixedly mounted to a repositionable linkage within the handle, the repositionable linkage operatively coupled to the first jaw.
64 . The surgical device of claim 42 , further comprising:
a handle,
a shaft coupled to the handle, wherein:
the plurality of continuity switches is operatively coupled to the first jaw;
the first jaw and the second jaw are operatively coupled to a distal end of the shaft;
a plurality of fixtures, configured to close multiples of the plurality of continuity switches, is fixedly mounted to the handle; and
the plurality of continuity switches are fixedly mounted to a repositionable linkage within the handle, the repositionable linkage operatively coupled to the first jaw.
65 . The surgical device of claim 42 , further comprising:
a handle,
a shaft coupled to the handle, wherein:
the plurality of continuity switches is operatively coupled to the first jaw;
the first jaw and the second jaw are operatively coupled to a distal end of the shaft;
the plurality of continuity switches are fixedly mounted to the handle; and
a plurality of fixtures, configured to close multiples of the plurality of continuity switches, are fixedly mounted to a repositionable linkage within the handle, the repositionable linkage operatively coupled to the first jaw.
66 . The surgical device of claim 62 , wherein the handle houses an actuator mechanism that includes a return spring biasing a housing operatively coupled to the repositionable linkage.
67 . The surgical device of claim 66 , wherein the actuator mechanism further includes a force limiting spring and a relief rod operatively coupled to the housing.
68 . The surgical device of claim 67 , wherein the relief rod is operatively coupled to a plunger repositionably mounted to the handle.
69 . The surgical device of claim 42 , wherein:
the plurality of continuity switches is operatively coupled to the first jaw; and
each of the plurality of continuity switches includes it own resistor having a unique resistance.
70 .- 106 . (canceled)
107 . A surgical device, comprising:
a first jaw and a second jaw operatively coupled to a distal end of the shaft, wherein the first jaw is repositionable with respect to the second jaw;
wherein each of the first jaw and the second jaw comprises an electrode extending beyond an insulating material;
wherein each of the first jaw and the second jaw terminates at a respective tip; and
wherein a sensor is operatively coupled to the first jaw and is configured to vary an output voltage as a function of a position of the first jaw with respect to the second jaw.