Vibration sensitive ablation device and method
An ablation apparatus including a maneuvering mechanism, a conductive element attached to the apparatus, a sensor attached to the apparatus and an output device in communication with the sensor is provided. The sensor senses vibration during the ablation procedure and sends a signal to the output device to reduce power to the conductive element.
1. A method of ablating organic tissue, comprising:
sensing an initial state of vibration of the organic tissue prior to ablating the organic tissue;
positioning an electrode adjacent the organic tissue;
supplying electrical power to the electrode to effect ablation of the organic tissue;
sensing with a sensor positioned adjacent the electrode the vibration of the organic tissue being ablated wherein the vibration is self-generated in the organic tissue in response to the ablation and the self-generated vibration occurs during phase-transition but prior to boiling of water in the organic tissue;
determining a difference in vibration between the initial state of vibration and the self-generated vibration; and
reducing power to the electrode when the self-generated vibration reaches a given value.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
halting the power when the self-generated vibration reaches a given value.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
supplying fluid from a fluid supply to the tissue; and
halting the fluid supply when the self-generated vibration reaches a given value.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
sending a signal from the sensor to a switch to reduce the power.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
providing output from an output device when the self-generated vibration reaches a given value.
6. The method of claim 5 further comprising:
sending a signal from the sensor to the output device; and sending an indicator signal from the output device.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the sensor is a piezoelectric crystal.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the sensor is a piezoelectric polymer.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the sensor is integrated with the electrode.