Abstract:
Provided is an electrode for radio frequency tissue ablation, including: a grip provided with a switch for power control; a hollow electrode connected to one side of the grip, coated with an insulating material, and having an internal space; an electrode needle part provided in one end of the hollow electrode and formed to penetrate tissue; a refrigerant guide pipe inserted into the hollow electrode and supplying/discharging a refrigerant for cooling the electrode needle part and the hollow electrode; and a guide needle externally coupled to the hollow electrode and maintaining the hollow electrode in a straight line by a predetermined length from one side of the hollow electrode.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application Nos. 2006-23023 and 2006-23024 which were filed on Mar. 13, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to an electrode for radio frequency tissue ablation, and more particularly, to an electrode for radio frequency tissue ablation, which enables an operator to directly control power and perform an operation while more precisely positioning a radio frequency electrode at a diseased part. 
         [0004]    2. Discussion of Related Art 
         [0005]    In general, there has been disclosed a medical technology in which an electrode for radio frequency tissue ablation, i.e., a long hollow electrode penetrates into biologic tissue to coagulate or ablate the tissue with radio frequency energy. 
         [0006]    When an electric current flows through the tissue, the tissue is heated so that the tissue and a blood vessel are coagulated by a complex biochemical mechanism. 
         [0007]    At this time, a cell, which includes the tissue, the blood vessel and blood, is mainly coagulated by thermal modification of protein in the cell at a temperature of about 60° C. or more. 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conventional electrode for radio frequency tissue ablation. 
         [0009]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the electrode for radio frequency tissue ablation includes a grip  110  taking a firm hold at an operation, and a thin and long hollow electrode  122  provided at one side of the grip  110 . The hollow electrode  122  is divided into an insulation part  123  having a predetermined length and an electrification part  127  disposed at one side of the insulation part  123 . The electrification part  127  has an electrode needle part  126  at the end thereof, and the electrode needle part  126  is typically shaped like a circular cone or a triangular pyramid to easily penetrate the tissue. 
         [0010]    Further, a power line  132 , a supplying pipe  134  and a discharging pipe  136  are provided at the other side of the grip  110 . The power line  132  is used for supplying power to the hollow electrode  122 , the supplying pipe  134  is used for supplying a refrigerant so as to control heat generation of the hollow electrode  122 , and the discharging pipe  136  is used for discharging the refrigerant after heat exchange. 
         [0011]    However, while the electrode needle part  126  of the electrification part  127  penetrates the tissue corresponding to a diseased part and is adjusted to be positioned at the diseased part, such a conventional electrode for radio frequency tissue ablation has a difficulty in precisely positioning the electrification part  127  at the diseased part because resistance due to density of the tissue bends the insulation part  123  provided at one side of the grip  110 . 
         [0012]    Further, the conventional electrode for radio frequency tissue ablation does not allow an operator to directly control the power of the hollow electrode  122  during surgery. That is, a power switch for the hollow electrode  122  is separately provided from the hollow electrode  122 , i.e., placed in an apparatus controller (not shown), so that the operator has to control the power of the hollow electrode  122  wirelessly, by wire or by word of mouth. Accordingly, the power supplied to the electrode for radio frequency tissue ablation is not precisely controlled. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    The present invention is directed to an electrode for radio frequency tissue ablation, which enables an operator to directly control power and perform an operation while more precisely positioning a radio frequency electrode at a diseased part. 
         [0014]    According to an aspect of the invention, an electrode for radio frequency tissue ablation, comprises: a grip provided with a switch for power control; a hollow electrode connected to one side of the grip, coated with an insulating material, and having an internal space; an electrode needle part provided in one end of the hollow electrode and formed to penetrate tissue; a refrigerant guide pipe inserted into the hollow electrode and supplying/discharging a refrigerant for cooling the electrode needle part and the hollow electrode; and a guide needle externally coupled to the hollow electrode and maintaining the hollow electrode in a straight line by a predetermined length from one side of the hollow electrode. 
         [0015]    The guide needle may comprise a receiving part that is placed at one end thereof to be contacted and engaged with one side of the grip, and provided as a counter part of an insertion part provided in the one side of the grip. 
         [0016]    The guide needle may be hollow to insert the hollow electrode thereinto, and comprise a holder to hold the guide needle at one side thereof. 
         [0017]    The guide needle may be detachably coupled to the outside of the hollow electrode, and formed of a steel material to reinforce strength of the hollow electrode. 
         [0018]    The guide needle may be formed of a steel material to support the outside of the hollow electrode, and have a predetermined thickness and an inclined surface to be smoothly connected with the hollow electrode. 
         [0019]    The diameter of the guide needle may gradually decrease toward a direction connected with the hollow electrode, and the hollow electrode may be bent at a predetermined angle at one end of the guide needle. 
         [0020]    The grip may comprise a supplying pipe connected to the refrigerant guide pipe provided in the hollow electrode, and a discharging pipe connected to a space between the hollow electrode and the refrigerant guide pipe. The supplying pipe and the discharging pipe may penetrate the grip. 
         [0021]    The refrigerant guide pipe may have a diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the hollow electrode, be inserted into the hollow electrode, introduce a refrigerant for cooling a part of the hollow electrode contacting tissue and the electrode needle part into the hollow electrode, and discharge the refrigerant undergoing heat exchange to the outside of the tissue through the discharging pipe via a space between the refrigerant guide pipe and the hollow electrode. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]    The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by describing in detail preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which: 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conventional electrode for radio frequency tissue ablation; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an electrode for radio frequency tissue ablation according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the electrode according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view illustrating an interior structure of the electrode according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  is a partial sectional view illustrating a refrigerant flow in the electrode according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an electrode for radio frequency tissue ablation according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating an interior structure of the electrode according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an electrode for radio frequency tissue ablation according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0031]    Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like elements and repetitive descriptions will be avoided as necessary. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 2 and 3  are a perspective view and an exploded perspective view of an electrode for radio frequency tissue ablation according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the electrode for radio frequency tissue ablation includes a grip  10 , a hollow electrode  22 , and a guide needle  60 . 
         [0034]    The hollow electrode  22  is connected to one side of the grip  10 , and includes an electrode needle part  26  having a pointed tip. Further, a switch  14  is provided on an outer surface of the grip  10  so as to control power of the electrode for radio frequency tissue ablation. 
         [0035]    The switch  14  is used to control the power of the electrode for radio frequency tissue ablation. It is preferable but not necessary that the switch  14  is provided in a sliding or dial type enabling a stepwise power control like a power button of a general vacuum cleaner. Alternatively, the switch may be provided in a button type. 
         [0036]    Further, the hollow electrode  22  connected to one side of the grip  10  is divided into an insulation part  23  provided by a predetermined length from the grip  10  and an electrification part  27  provided at one end of the insulation part  23   
         [0037]    The electrode needle part  26  has a pointed tip enough to penetrate tissue. Here, the pointed tip may be shaped like a circular cone or a triangular pyramid. 
         [0038]    Meanwhile, the guide needle  60  includes a receiving part  62  to receive an insertion part  12  provided in one side of the grip  10 , so that the guide needle  60  can be detachably contacted and engaged with the insertion part  12 . Accordingly, the insertion part  12  and the receiving part  62  cause the guide needle  60  to be firmly supported in the grip  10 . 
         [0039]    Thus, the hollow electrode  22  is connected to one side of the grip  10  and inserted inside the guide needle  60  while the guide needle  60  is closely contacted and engaged with one side of the grip  10 . Additionally, a power line  32 , a supplying pipe  34  and a discharging pipe  36  are provided at the other side of the grip  10 . The power line  32  is used for supplying power to the hollow electrode  22 , the supplying pipe  34  is used for supplying a refrigerant so as to control temperature of the hollow electrode  22 , and the discharging pipe  36  is used for discharging the refrigerant after heat exchange. 
         [0040]    Here, the supplying pipe  34  and the discharging pipe  36  may penetrate the grip  10 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view illustrating an interior structure of the electrode according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the electrode for radio frequency tissue ablation according to the first exemplary embodiment includes a refrigerant guide pipe  40  inserted into the hollow electrode  22  which includes the electrode needle part  26 , the electrification part  27  and the insulation part  23 ; and a temperature sensor line  50  inserted into the refrigerant guide pipe  40 . 
         [0043]    Here, the refrigerant guide pipe  40  is filled with a refrigerant so as to control heat generation of the electrification part  27  provided in the hollow electrode  22  according as the electrode for radio frequency tissue ablation is powered on, and the temperature sensor line  50  may be inserted into the refrigerant guide pipe  40 . 
         [0044]    Also, the temperature sensor line  50  is inserted into the refrigerant guide pipe  40  and extends toward a predetermined inner position of the electrification part  27 , so that it senses the temperature of the electrification part  27 , thereby enabling a controller (not shown) for controlling the power of the electrode for radio frequency tissue ablation to determine the time to control the power. 
         [0045]      FIG. 5  is a partial sectional view illustrating a refrigerant flow in the electrode according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , in the refrigerant flow in the electrode for radio frequency tissue ablation according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the hollow electrode  22  internally includes the refrigerant pipe  40  through which the refrigerant flows, and the temperature sensor line  50  inside the refrigerant pipe  40  to sense the temperature of the electrification part  27 . 
         [0047]    Here, the refrigerant for controlling the heat generation of the electrification part  27  provided at one side of the hollow electrode  22  is supplied along a space between the temperature sensor line  50  and the refrigerant pipe  40  and introduced into the electrification part  27 . After heat exchange, the refrigerant is discharged along a space between an inner wall of the hollow electrode  22  and an outer wall of the refrigerant pipe  40 . 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , it is preferable but not necessary that the refrigerant flow circulates through the supplying pipe  34  and the discharging pipe  36  which are connected to one side of the grip  10 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an electrode for radio frequency tissue ablation according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0050]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the electrode for radio frequency tissue ablation according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a grip  10 , a guide needle  24 , and a hollow electrode  22 . 
         [0051]    Here, the grip  10  is provided with a switch  14  on a predetermined outer position thereof, and connected with a guide needle  24  at one side thereof. Here, the guide needle  24  and the hollow electrode  22  are formed as a single body. The guide needle  24  is provided with an inclined surface  25  and connected to an insulation part  23  of the hollow electrode  22 . Additionally, an electrification part  27  and an electrode needle part  26  are in turn disposed in one side of the insulation part  23 . 
         [0052]    At this time, the switch  14  is employed to control the power of the electrode for radio frequency tissue ablation. It is preferable but not necessary that the switch  14  is provided in a sliding or dial type enabling a stepwise power control like a power button of a general vacuum cleaner. Alternatively, the switch may be provided in a button type. 
         [0053]    Further, the electrode needle part  26  has a tapered tip enough to penetrate tissue. Here, the tapered tip may be shaped like a circular cone or a triangular pyramid. 
         [0054]    Meanwhile, the hollow electrode  22  includes the electrode needle part  26 , the electrification part  27  following the electrode needle part  26 , and the insulation part  23  following the electrification part  27 , and a part provided at one side of the guide needle  24  and connected to the inclined surface  25  is bent at a predetermined angle. 
         [0055]    It is preferable but not necessary that the angle ranges from 0° C. to 45° C. so that the electrification part  27  of the hollow electrode  22  can be more precisely positioned at a diseased part of the sick. 
         [0056]    Thus, the hollow electrode  22  and the guide needle  24 , which is integrally provided with the insulation part  23 , are connected to one side of the grip  10 . Additionally, a power line  32 , a supplying pipe  34  and a discharging pipe  36  are provided at the other side of the grip  10 . The power line  32  is used for supplying power to the hollow electrode  22 , the supplying pipe  34  is used for supplying a refrigerant so as to control temperature of the hollow electrode  22 , and the discharging pipe  36  is used for discharging the refrigerant after heat exchange. 
         [0057]    Here, the supplying pipe  34  and the discharging pipe  36  may penetrate the grip  10 . 
         [0058]    Using the foregoing electrode for radio frequency tissue ablation, an operation order is as follows: the electrode needle part  26 , the electrification part  27  and the insulation part  23  are sequentially inserted into the tissue, and then the guide needle  24  is smoothly inserted by the inclined surface  25  provided at one side of the guide needle  24  while positioning the electrification part  27  at the diseased part. After the electrification part  27  is precisely positioned at the diseased part, the power is supplied to the electrification part  27 , so that the electrification part  27  is heated to thereby cure the diseased part. 
         [0059]    At this time, the guide needle  24  allows the electrification part  27  to be precisely positioned at the diseased part irrespective of resistance due to density of the tissue. Because the guide needle  24  has a bending angle of α, it can be more precisely positioned at the diseased part. Further, the operator can directly control power through the switch  14  provided in the grip  10 , thereby achieving a more precise operation. 
         [0060]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating an interior structure of the electrode according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0061]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , the electrode for radio frequency tissue ablation according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a refrigerant guide pipe  40  inserted into the hollow electrode  22  which includes the electrode needle part  26 , the electrification part  27  and the insulation part  23 ; and a temperature sensor line  50  inserted into the refrigerant guide pipe  40 . 
         [0062]    Here, the refrigerant guide pipe  40  is filled with a refrigerant so as to control heat generation of the electrification part  27  provided in the hollow electrode  22  according as the electrode for radio frequency tissue ablation is powered on, and the temperature sensor line  50  is inserted into the refrigerant guide pipe  40 . 
         [0063]    Also, the temperature sensor line  50  is inserted into the refrigerant guide pipe  40  and extends toward a predetermined inner position of the electrification part  27 , so that it senses the temperature of the electrification part  27 , thereby enabling a controller (not shown) for controlling the power of the electrode for radio frequency tissue ablation to determine the time to control the power. 
         [0064]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an electrode for radio frequency tissue ablation according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0065]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , the electrode for radio frequency tissue ablation according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a grip  10 , a guide needle  24  and a hollow electrode  22 . 
         [0066]    Here, the grip  10  is provided with a switch  14  on a predetermined outer position thereof, and connected with the guide needle  24  at one side thereof. Here, the guide needle  24  and the hollow electrode  22  are formed as a single body. The guide needle  24  is connected to an insulation part  23  of the hollow electrode  22 . Additionally, an electrification part  27  and an electrode needle part  26  are in turn disposed in one side of the insulation part  23 . 
         [0067]    Further, the electrode needle part  26  has a tapered tip enough to penetrate tissue. Here, the tapered tip may be shaped like a circular cone or a triangular pyramid. 
         [0068]    The diameter of the guide needle  24  is the same as that of the insulation part  23  at a predetermined position, and gradually increases as going toward the grip  10 . 
         [0069]    Meanwhile, the hollow electrode  22  includes the electrode needle part  26 , the electrification part  27  following the electrode needle part  26 , and the insulation part  23  following the electrification part  27 , and the hollow electrode  22  is bent between the insulation part  23  and the guide needle  24  at a predetermined angle. 
         [0070]    It is preferable but not necessary that the angle ranges from 0° C. to 45° C. so that the electrification part  27  of the hollow electrode  22  can be more precisely positioned at a diseased part of the sick. 
         [0071]    Thus, the hollow electrode  22  and the guide needle  24 , which is integrally provided with the insulation part  23 , are connected to one side of the grip  10 . Additionally, a power line  32 , a supplying pipe  34  and a discharging pipe  36  are provided at the other side of the grip  10 . The power line  32  is used for supplying power to the hollow electrode  22 , the supplying pipe  34  is used for supplying a refrigerant so as to control temperature of the hollow electrode  22 , and the discharging pipe  36  is used for discharging the refrigerant after heat exchange. 
         [0072]    Here, the supplying pipe  34  and the discharging pipe  36  may penetrate the grip  10 . 
         [0073]    Using the foregoing electrode for radio frequency tissue ablation, an operation order is as follows: the electrode needle part  26 , the electrification part  27  and the insulation part  23  are sequentially inserted into the tissue, and then the guide needle  24  is smoothly inserted by the same diameter as the insulation part  23  while positioning the electrification part  27  at the diseased part. After the electrification part  27  is precisely positioned at the diseased part, the power is supplied to the electrification part  27 , so that the electrification part  27  is heated to thereby cure the diseased part. 
         [0074]    At this time, the guide needle  24  allows the electrification part  27  to be precisely positioned at the diseased part irrespective of resistance due to density of the tissue. Because the guide needle  24  has a bending angle of α, it can be more precisely positioned at the diseased part. Further, the operator can directly control power through the switch  14  provided in the grip  10 , thereby achieving a more precise operation. 
         [0075]    As described above, the electrode for radio frequency tissue ablation has the following effects. 
         [0076]    First, the guide needle is provided to reinforce the strength of the insulation part of the hollow electrode, thereby precisely positioning the electrification part at a diseased part irrespective of the resistance due to the density of the tissue. 
         [0077]    Second, the switch is provided in the grip so that an operator can directly control power during surgery using the electrode for radio frequency tissue ablation, thereby precisely controlling the heat generation of the electrification part. 
         [0078]    Third, the guide needle is detachably provided so that it can be readily replaced with another guide needle having a different length as necessary. 
         [0079]    Fourth, the guide needle is provided with a receiving part at one side thereof to receive an insertion part provided in one side of the grip, so that the guide needle can be detachably contacted and engaged with the insertion part, thereby firmly supporting the guide needle to the grip. 
         [0080]    Fifth, the electrification part generating heat is bent at a predetermined angle, thereby more precisely positioning the electrode for radio frequency tissue ablation at a diseased part. 
         [0081]    While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.