WO2025196558A1

WO2025196558A1 - Systems for delivering coolant in ablation devices

Info

Publication number: WO2025196558A1
Application number: PCT/IB2025/052387
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christine R. DROWN; Rebecca L. Vincelette; Aleksey VOLKOV
Original assignee: Medtronic Navigation Inc
Current assignee: Medtronic Navigation Inc
Priority date: 2024-03-21
Filing date: 2025-03-05
Publication date: 2025-09-25
Anticipated expiration: 2026-09-21

Abstract

A surgical system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure includes: an ablation probe, including: a housing extending from a distal end to a proximal end; an energy element disposed at least partially within the housing, the energy element configured to transmit energy to anatomical tissue; and a fluid conduit extending through at least a portion of the housing and configured to transmit coolant to the distal end of the housing; and a controller, including: a processor; and a memory storing data thereon that, when processed by the processor, enable the processor to: transmit energy from the energy element based on a pre-set condition associated with time and power of the energy; and deliver the coolant to the distal end of the housing based on the pre-set condition.

Description

SYSTEMS FOR DELIVERING COOLANT IN ABLATION DEVICES

CROSS-RELATED REFERENCES

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63/568,278, filed March 21, 2024, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The present disclosure is generally directed to surgeries and surgical procedures, and relates more particularly to surgical ablation.

[0003] Various surgical tools are often required to successfully complete surgical procedures. Certain types of tools may be required for different procedures. Some surgical tools utilize heat to ablate anatomical tissues.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0004] Example aspects of the present disclosure include:

[0005] A surgical system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: an ablation probe, comprising: a housing extending from a distal end to a proximal end; an energy element disposed at least partially within the housing, the energy element configured to transmit energy to anatomical tissue; and a fluid conduit extending through at least a portion of the housing and configured to transmit coolant to the distal end of the housing; and a controller, comprising: a processor; and a memory storing data thereon that, when processed by the processor, enable the processor to: transmit energy from the energy element based on a preset condition associated with time and power of the energy; and deliver the coolant to the distal end of the housing based on the pre-set condition.

[0006] Any of the aspects herein, further comprising: a coolant pump connectable to the ablation probe and configured to pump the coolant through the fluid conduit.

[0007] Any of the aspects herein, wherein the coolant comprises saline, carbon dioxide (CO2) gas, or a combination thereof.

[0008] Any of the aspects herein, wherein the energy is delivered as Radio Frequency (RF) energy at a wavelength between about 980 nanometers (nm) and about 1065 nm.

[0009] Any of the aspects herein, wherein the delivery of the coolant comprises adjusting a flow rate of the coolant.

[0010] Any of the aspects herein, wherein the delivery of the coolant comprises starting a flow of the coolant [0011] Any of the aspects herein, wherein the energy element comprises an optical fiber, a radio frequency (RF) transmitter, a laser fiber, or an ultrasonic transmitter.

[0012] Any of the aspects herein, wherein the coolant is delivered after the energy has been transmitted for a predetermined amount of time.

[0013] Any of the aspects herein, wherein the predetermined amount of time is about 45 seconds.

[0014] Any of the aspects herein, wherein the memory further comprises data that, when processed by the processor, further enable the processor to: render, to a display, information associated with the delivery of the coolant to the distal end of the housing.

[0015] A controller according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a processor; and a memory storing data thereon that, when executed by the processor, enable the processor to: transmit energy from an energy element based on a pre-set condition associated with time and power of the energy; and deliver a coolant to a distal end of a housing of an ablation probe based on the pre-set condition.

[0016] Any of the aspects herein, wherein the coolant comprises saline, carbon dioxide (CO2) gas, or a combination thereof.

[0017] Any of the aspects herein, wherein the delivery of the coolant comprises adjusting a flow rate of the coolant.

[0018] Any of the aspects herein, wherein the delivery of the coolant comprises starting a flow of the coolant.

[0019] Any of the aspects herein, wherein the energy element comprises an optical fiber, a radio frequency (RF) transmitter, a laser fiber, or an ultrasonic transmitter.

[0020] Any of the aspects herein, wherein the memory further comprises data that, when processed by the processor, further enable the processor to: render, to a display, information associated with the delivery of the coolant to the distal end of the housing of the ablation probe. [0021] Any of the aspects herein, wherein the energy is transmitted from the energy element between a first time and a second time, and wherein the coolant is delivered beginning at a third time later than the first time and before a second time.

[0022] Any of the aspects herein, wherein a difference in time between the first time and the third time is about 45 seconds.

[0023] A method according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: transmitting energy from an energy element positioned in an ablation probe based on a pre-set condition associated with time and power of the energy; and delivering a coolant to a distal end of a housing of the ablation probe based on the pre-set condition. [0024] Any of the aspects herein, wherein the delivering of the coolant further comprises: adjusting a flow rate of the coolant.

[0025] Any aspect in combination with any one or more other aspects.

[0026] Any one or more of the features disclosed herein.

[0027] Any one or more of the features as substantially disclosed herein.

[0028] Any one or more of the features as substantially disclosed herein in combination with any one or more other features as substantially disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The accompanying drawings are incorporated into and form a part of the specification to illustrate several examples of the present disclosure. These drawings, together with the description, explain the principles of the disclosure. The drawings simply illustrate preferred and alternative examples of how the disclosure can be made and used and are not to be construed as limiting the disclosure to only the illustrated and described examples. Further features and advantages will become apparent from the following, more detailed, description of the various aspects, embodiments, and configurations of the disclosure, as illustrated by the drawings referenced below.

[0030] Fig. 1A is a perspective view of aspects of an ablation probe according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] Fig. IB is a side view of aspects of the ablation probe according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] Fig. 1C is a cross section view of the ablation probe according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a system according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] Fig. 3 is an image of anatomical tissue after an ablation according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] Fig. 4 is a flowchart according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure; and [0036] Fig. 5 is a flowchart according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT) is a minimally invasive, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)-guided surgical technique in which a catheter carrying an energy element such as an optical fiber, a radio frequency (RF) transmitter, a laser fiber, an ultrasound transmitter, or the like is surgically inserted to a target surgical site to ablate anatomical tissues (e.g., to necrotize or destroy tumors). LITT ablation may be used to treat brain disorders such as tumors and epileptic foci. In some situations, LITT devices with cooling flow features may have certain regions adjacent to the catheter that do not become fully necrotic as a result of the cooling flow. The cooling flow enables a larger lesion with LITT devices because cooling flow prevents the center of the lesion from becoming too hot. However, in some cases, the cooling flow may keep the temperature too low, such that the center of the lesion is not fully necrotized. The lack of necrosis may negatively impact the effectiveness of the ablation procedure, since any remaining viable tumor cells (e.g., cancer cells) could regrow and cause a recurrence of the tumor.

[0038] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the foregoing issues may be addressed by disabling or turning off the flow of coolant through the catheter for a period of time during the ablation, such that the center of the lesion can be ablated. The coolant flow may then be turned back on (e.g., either temporarily or for the remainder of the ablation), such that the rest of the lesion can be ablated while benefitting from additional cooling flow. In one example, the ablation may begin with the coolant flow being turned off and the ablation probe delivering a predetermined amount of power (e.g., fixed lower power). After a period of time (e.g., 30 seconds, 45 seconds, etc.), the coolant flow can be turned on, and the power of the energy element can be adjusted to any setting as desired.

[0039] Additional or alternative workflows are also possible. For example, the coolant flow may be disabled at or near the end of the ablation. As another example, the coolant flow may be turned off at or near the beginning of the ablation step. In a situation where the coolant flow is turned off at or near the beginning of the ablation, the power applied by the energy element power can be variable or fixed. Embodiments of the present disclosure beneficially help ensure full necrosis along the catheter, resulting in a more ellipsoidal or round lesion as opposed to a pinched or “butterfly” shaped lesion (e.g., where the cooling results in a pinched lesion shape along the catheter). Embodiments of the present disclosure provide technical solutions to one or more of the above-mentioned problems.

[0040] Turning first to Figs. 1A-1C, aspects of an ablation probe 100 according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure are shown. The ablation probe 100 may be used to perform ablation of anatomical tissue and/or to carry out one or more other aspects of one or more of the methods discussed herein. The ablation probe 100 is illustrated to include a housing 108 that extends from a proximal end 104 to a distal end 106. In some embodiments, the proximal end 104 extends outside of the patient, such that a first portion of the ablation probe 100 closer to the distal end 106 is implanted in the patient while a second portion of the ablation probe 100 closer to the proximal end 104 extends outside of the patient when the ablation probe 100 is inserted into the patient. The housing 108 comprises a center cannula 112 that includes an energy element 116 and a temperature monitor 120, an inflow channel 124, and an outflow channel 128. In some embodiments, the housing 108 may be tubular in shape, such that the housing 108 can linearly slide into the surgical site when the ablation probe 100 is inserted into the patient. In some cases, one or more components of the ablation probe 100 may be omitted. For instance, in some cases the temperature monitor 120 may be omitted from the ablation probe 100.

[0041] In some examples, the ablation probe 100 may be or comprise a double-walled catheter with an outer lumen and an inner lumen (e.g., the housing 108 forms an outer lumen and the center cannula 112 forms the inner lumen). The outer lumen may comprise the inflow channel 124 and the inner lumen may comprise the outflow channel 128 (or vice versa), such that coolant can flow down the outer lumen to the distal end 106 of the ablation probe 100 and back out through the inner lumen (or vice versa). In some embodiments, the distal end of the ablation probe 100 may comprise a tip 136 that mitigates the likelihood of coolant within the ablation probe 100 from leaking into surrounding anatomical tissue when the ablation probe 100 is inserted into the patient. In some examples, the tip 136 may be sharp enough to cut through anatomical tissue, such that the ablation probe 100 can be more easily inserted into the patient. [0042] In some embodiments, reference may be made to dimensions, angles, directions, relative positions, and/or movements associated with one or more components of the ablation probe 100 with respect to a coordinate system 102. The coordinate system 102, as shown in the accompanying figures, includes three-dimensions comprising an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis. Additionally or alternatively, the coordinate system 102 may be used to define planes (e.g., the XY-plane, the XZ-plane, and the YZ-plane) of the ablation probe 100. These planes may be disposed orthogonal, or at 90 degrees, to one another. While the origin of the coordinate system 102 may be placed at any point on or near the ablation probe 100, for the purposes of description, the axes of the coordinate system 102 are disposed along the same directions from figure to figure. Additionally or alternatively, the directionality of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis may be flipped, as noted with negative directionality (e.g., the negative X-axis direction is the opposite direction of the X-axis direction illustrated by the direction of the associated arrow). In some cases, the coordinate system 102 may be defined based on or using cartesian coordinates, cylindrical coordinates, polar coordinates, combinations thereof, and/or the like.

[0043] The energy element 116 is configured to emit heat or other energy (e.g., RF energy, laser energy, ultrasound energy) sufficient to ablate anatomical tissue proximate the ablation probe 100. In some examples, the energy element 116 may comprise an active electrode and a return electrode through which electrical current passes. Additionally or alternatively, the energy element 116 may comprise a laser diode. For example, the energy element 116 may be or comprise a laser diode with operating parameters that enable the laser diode to emit RF energy with wavelengths between about 980 nanometers (nm) and about 1065 nm. The movement of current through the energy element 116 generates heat that is dissipated from the distal end 106 of the housing 108. In some cases, the energy element 116 may be or comprise additional or alternative mechanisms to emit energy sufficient to ablate anatomical tissue proximate the ablation probe 100. For example, the energy element 116 may comprise an ultrasonic transmitter that emits ultrasound waves with sufficient energy to induce ablation. As another example, the energy element 116 may comprise an optical fiber that emits light with sufficient energy to induce ablation. In some embodiments, the one or more mechanisms of the energy element 116 used to emit energy (e.g., the laser diode, the ultrasonic transmitter, the optical fiber, etc.) may be housed in a catheter element.

[0044] In some embodiments, and as illustrated in Fig. 2, the energy element 116 may be attached to a generator 212, which generates the current or otherwise enables the energy element 116 to transmit energy (e.g., RF energy, laser energy, ultrasonic energy, etc.) into anatomical tissue surrounding the ablation probe 100. The generator 212 may be adjustable to vary the power or intensity of the energy generated, emitted, or otherwise transmitted by the energy element 116. The amount of energy generated by the energy element 116 may in some cases be adjusted based on the type or quality of the anatomical tissue to be ablated. In some embodiments, the energy element 116 may be moved proximally and/or distally in the center cannula 112. In some embodiments, the energy element 116 may be centered in the center cannula 112, while in other embodiments the energy element 116 may be disposed or moved toward the inner sidewall of the center cannula 112, such that the energy element 116 is off center from the center of the center cannula 112.

[0045] The ablation probe 100 may be configured to radially diffuse energy generated and/or emitted by the energy element 116. In other words, the ablation probe 100 may be configured such that energy generated and/or emitted by the energy element 116 is uniformly diffused in all directions from the distal end 106 of the ablation probe 100 in a substantially spherical shape, such that anatomical tissue within a threshold distance from the ablation probe 100 (and within the spherical shape) experience necrosis. In other examples, the ablation probe 100 may be configured to diffuse the energy generated by the energy element 116 directionally. For example, the ablation probe 100 may emit energy directionally (e g., from one side of or in one or more directions from the ablation probe 100). In such examples, anatomical tissue positioned along the direction(s) of emission of the energy may be necrotized, while anatomical tissue near the ablation probe 100 but not positioned along the direction(s) do not absorb sufficient energy to experience necrosis.

[0046] In some cases, the ablation probe 100 may generate energy at a fixed power setting, while in other cases the ablation probe 100 may generate a variable power. While in a fixed power setting, the power delivered to, and the subsequent energy emitted by, the energy element 116 may be at a fixed set of parameters (e.g., a fixed power, current, frequency, amplitude, etc.). While in a variable power setting, the power and energy of the energy element 116 may be variable in time (e.g., the power may fluctuate periodically between two predetermined amplitudes, the current may be alternating current, etc.). In some embodiments, the type of power setting may be chosen by the user (e.g., a surgeon), while in other embodiments the type of power setting may be predetermined or set (e.g., by a controller 202 discussed below). The user may be able to override the predetermined or set values, such as when the user determines that using a variable power may be more beneficial than the predetermined fixed power settings. [0047] In some cases, and as discussed in further detail below, the ablation probe 100 may be configured to deliver a pre-dose of energy in the absence of coolant flow at various power settings and/or for various amounts of time. For example, the pre-dose may comprise the energy element 116 transmitting energy at a predetermined power setting for a predetermined amount of time (e.g., a 10-mm emitter provides a 5.5 Watt dosage for about 45 seconds). The pre-dose settings (e.g., power setting, duration of delivery of the pre-dose, etc.) may vary based on the type or operating parameters of the ablation probe 100, the type of emission device used (e.g., a laser diode, an ultrasonic transmitter, an optical fiber etc.), the type of surgery or surgical procedure, combinations thereof, and the like. It is to be understood that the pre-dose settings (such as the power and time settings) are in no way limited, and various settings of settings associated with the pre-dose may be used. The pre-dose of energy may be delivered when a user (e.g., a physician or care provider) presses a button on a user interface 210. Once the button is pressed, the ablation probe 100 may be turned on, with the generator 212 providing sufficient current to enable the energy element 116 to transmit energy (e.g., heat) to anatomical tissue in contact with or in relative proximity of the energy element 116. After the predetermined amount of time has passed, the power of the energy element 116 may be increased, and coolant flow into the ablation probe 100 may begin, thereby providing a cooling effect to one or more components or portions of the ablation probe 100, as well as to cool the surrounding anatomical tissue. The pre-dosing energy may enable the ablation probe 100 to ablate tissues that do not receive sufficient thermal energy from the ablation probe 100 to be ablated in the presence of coolant flow, such as the center of the lesion and/or anatomical tissues present along the ablation probe implant path.

[0048] In some embodiments, the ablation probe 100 may be operated without a temperature monitor 120. In such a configuration, the ablation probe 100 may be operated at the controller 202 based on one or more control processes that do not rely on a temperature feedback from the ablation probe 100. In some embodiments, the ablation probe may be provided with a temperature monitor 120 and the controller 202 may be configured to control the ablation settings (e.g., energy provided and/or coolant flow) based on temperature feedback received from the temperature monitor 120. In some embodiments, the temperature monitor 120 may be or comprise one or more sensors or thermally sensitive material capable of generating information that can be used to determine the temperature of the energy element 116 and/or the area surrounding the energy element 116. The temperature monitor 120 may generate one or more measurements that represent the temperature of the center cannula 112, the energy element 116, or the temperature of other components proximate the temperature monitor 120. In some embodiments, the temperature monitor 120 may extend into the housing 108 from the proximal end 104 of the ablation probe 100 and be disposed in the center cannula 112 of the ablation probe 100 to record data indicative of the temperature of the energy element 116. In some embodiments, the sensors and/or material composition of the temperature monitor 120 may be selected or chosen based on the type of surgery or surgical procedure, the anticipated temperature of the energy element 116, the anticipated amount of time needed to ablate anatomical tissue, the surgical plan, combinations thereof, and the like. In some embodiments, the ablation probe 100 may comprise multiple temperature monitors 120 to measure and/or monitor the temperature of one or more components of the ablation probe 100.

[0049] The inflow channel 124 may comprise a channel that carries coolant (e.g., water, saline, carbon dioxide (CO2) gas, etc.) into the ablation probe 100 to cool (e.g., absorb heat from) one or more components of the ablation probe 100. The outflow channel 128 may comprise a channel that transfers spent coolant that has absorbed heat while in the distal end 106 of the ablation probe 100 out of the ablation probe 100. The inflow channel 124 and the outflow channel 128 extend from the proximal end 104 and into the distal end 106 of the ablation probe 100. In one embodiment, the inner lumen of the ablation probe 100 may be shorter than the outer lumen of the ablation probe 100, such that the channel associated with the inner lumen is shorter in length along the Z-axis direction than the channel associated with the outer lumen. While a single inflow channel 124 is depicted in the ablation probe 100, it is to be understood that the ablation probe 100 may comprise a plurality of inflow channels, or that the positioning of the energy element 116 and/or the temperature monitor 120 within the center cannula 112 may separate the inflow channel 124 into two or more inflow channels.

[0050] The coolant may be pumped into the distal end 106 through the inflow channel 124 to cool one or more components of the ablation probe 100 while the energy element 116 generates and/or emits ablation energy (e.g., heat), such as during an ablation procedure. In some embodiments, the housing 108 may comprise the center cannula 112 and an outer channel surrounding the center cannula 112. Alternatively or additionally, the coolant may be pumped into the distal end 106 through the inflow channel 124 in an absence of the energy element 116 generating and/or emitting ablation energy.

[0051] The outer channel may comprise the area occupied by the inflow channel 124, the outflow channel 128, and an interior cavity 132 of the distal end 106. The coolant may be dispensed from the inflow channel 124 and into the interior cavity 132 of the distal end 106 to absorb heat from the energy element 116 and/or one or more other components of the ablation probe 100 (e.g., an interior surface of the housing 108). The coolant may then flow out of the outer channel of the housing 108 through the outflow channel 128. In some embodiments, the outflow channel 128 may be connected to a pump that generates a negative pressure to carry the coolant out of the ablation probe 100. In some cases, the coolant flowing through the outflow channel 128 may be recirculated through the ablation probe 100. For example, the outflow channel 128 may extract the coolant from the ablation probe 100 and pump the coolant into a coolant container connected to the inflow channel 124, such that the coolant extracted by the outflow channel 128 is then again dispensed into the ablation probe 100 by the inflow channel 124. Additionally or alternatively, the coolant may be disposed of after being extracted, after having reached a predetermined temperature, and/or after having been used for a predetermined amount of time. It is to be understood that, while a single outflow channel 128 is depicted, the ablation probe 100 may comprise a plurality of outflow channels, or that the positioning of the center cannula 112 within the ablation probe 100 may separate the outflow channel 128 into two or more outflow channels.

[0052] In some examples, the volume of the coolant flowing out of the ablation probe 100 through the outflow channel 128 may be monitored. For example, drip sensors in a coolant system 224 discussed below may generate measurements associated with the volume, flow rate, and/or the like of coolant flowing out of the ablation probe 100. Based on the volume of the coolant, a processor such as a processor 204, may determine that the coolant flow has been blocked or otherwise obstructed. In some cases and as a result of determining that coolant is not properly flowing, the processor 204 may automatically disable one or more aspects of the ablation probe 100. For example, the processor 204 may disable the energy element 116, such that the ablation probe 100 no longer generates ablation energy. This may be done, for example, to prevent inadvertent ablation along the path or trajectory of the inserted catheter.

[0053] In some examples, the type of coolant used in the ablation probe 100 may be changed from a first coolant type to a second coolant type (e.g., from gas to liquid, from water to saline, from water to CO2 gas, etc.) to change the energy dissipation characteristics of the ablation probe 100. The inflow temperature and/or the propensity of the coolant to absorb heat may be different for the first coolant type than for the second coolant type, resulting in different heat dissipations of the ablation probe 100. The change in coolant may occur, for example, when additional heat is required to ablate anatomical tissue. In such examples, the second coolant type may have less ability to absorb heat (whether due to a different specific heat, a higher starting temperature, combinations thereof, and/or the like) than the first coolant type. As a result, the current passing through the energy element 116 may remain the same while allowing the ablation probe 100 to dissipate additional heat to reach the ablation threshold.

[0054] The system 200 illustrated in Fig. 2 may be used to control ablation of anatomical tissue using one or more ablation probes, enable user interaction and control of the one or more ablation probes, and/or to carry out one or more aspects of one or more of the methods disclosed herein. The system 200 comprises the ablation probe 100, a controller 202, a generator 212, a display 220, a coolant system 224, a database 230, and a cloud or other network 234. In some embodiments, the system 200 may comprise additional or alternative components to those depicted in Fig. 2.

[0055] The controller 202 comprises a processor 204, a memory 206, a communication interface 208, and a user interface 210. In some embodiments, the controller 202 may comprise more or fewer components than those depicted in Fig. 2. The controller 202 can control one or more components of the system 200 and/or the ablation probe 100 based on processing of content of the memory 206 by the processor 204.

[0056] Instructions may be executed by one or more processors, such as the processor 204 of the controller 202. The processor 204 may be or comprise one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), general purpose microprocessors (e.g., Intel Core i3, i5, i7, or i9 processors; Intel Celeron processors; Intel Xeon processors; Intel Pentium processors; AMD Ryzen processors; AMD Athlon processors; AMD Phenom processors; Apple A10 or 10X Fusion processors; Apple Al l, A12, A12X, A12Z, or A13 Bionic processors; or any other general purpose microprocessors), graphics processing units (e.g., Nvidia GeForce RTX 2000-series processors, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3000-series processors, AMD Radeon RX 5000-series processors, AMD Radeon RX 6000-series processors, or any other graphics processing units), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable logic arrays (FPGAs), or other equivalent integrated or discrete logic circuitry. Accordingly, the term “processor” as used herein may refer to any of the foregoing structure or any other physical structure suitable for implementation of the described techniques. Also, the techniques could be fully implemented in one or more circuits or logic elements. The processor 204 may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory 206, which instructions may cause the processor 204 to carry out one or more computing steps utilizing or based on data received from the ablation probe 100, one or more components of the controller 202, the generator 212, the display 220, the coolant system 224, the database 230, and/or the cloud 234.

[0057] The memory 206 may be or comprise RAM, DRAM, SDRAM, other solid-state memory, any memory described herein, or any other tangible, non-transitory memory for storing computer-readable data and/or instructions. The memory 206 may store information or data useful for completing, for example, any step of the methods described herein, or of any other methods. The memory 206 may store, for example, instructions that support one or more functions of the ablation probe 100. For instance, the memory 206 may store content (e.g., instructions) that, when executed by the processor 204, enable adjustment of or changes to the coolant flow rate into and/or out of the ablation probe 100, and/or ablation with the ablation probe 100. Such content, if provided as in instruction, may, in some embodiments, be organized into one or more applications, modules, packages, layers, or engines. Alternatively or additionally, the memory 206 may store other types of content or data that can be processed by the processor 204 to carry out the various method and features described herein. Thus, although various contents of memory 206 may be described as instructions, it should be appreciated that functionality described herein can be achieved through use of instructions, algorithms, data, and/or the like. The data, algorithms, and/or instructions may cause the processor 204 to manipulate data stored in the memory 206 and/or received from or via the ablation probe 100, one or more components of the controller 202, the generator 212, the display 220, the coolant system 224, the database 230, and/or the cloud 234.

[0058] In one or more examples, the described methods, processes, and techniques may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium and executed by a hardware-based processing unit. Alternatively or additionally, functions may be implemented using machine learning models, neural networks, artificial neural networks, or combinations thereof (alone or in combination with instructions). Computer- readable media may include non-transitory computer-readable media, which corresponds to a tangible medium such as data storage media (e g., RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory, or any other medium that can be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer).

[0059] The communication interface 208 may be used for receiving data or other information from an external source (such as the ablation probe 100, generator 212, the display 220, the coolant system 224, the database 230, the cloud 234, and/or any other system or component not part of the system 200), and/or for transmitting instructions or other information to an external system or device (e.g., to the ablation probe 100, another controller 202, the generator 212, the display 220, the coolant system 224, the database 230, the cloud 234, and/or any other system or component not part of the system 200). The communication interface 208 may comprise one or more wired interfaces (e.g., a USB port, an Ethernet port, a Firewire port) and/or one or more wireless transceivers or interfaces (configured, for example, to transmit and/or receive information via one or more wireless communication protocols such as 802.1 la/b/g/n, Bluetooth, NFC, ZigBee, and so forth). In some embodiments, the communication interface 208 may be useful for enabling the controller 202 to communicate with one or more other processors 204 or controllers 202, whether to reduce the time needed to accomplish a computing-intensive task or for any other reason.

[0060] The user interface 210 may be or comprise a keyboard, mouse, trackball, monitor, television, screen, touchscreen, and/or any other device for receiving information from a user and/or for providing information to a user. The user interface 210 may be used, for example, to receive a user selection or other user input regarding any step of any method described herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any required input for any step of any method described herein may be generated automatically by the system 200 (e.g., by the processor 204 or another component of the system 200) or received by the system 200 from a source external to the system 200. In some embodiments, the user interface 210 may be useful to allow a surgeon or other user to modify instructions to be executed by the processor 204 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, and/or to modify or adjust a setting of other information displayed on the user interface 210 or corresponding thereto.

[0061] Although the user interface 210 is shown as part of the controller 202, in some embodiments, the controller 202 may utilize a user interface 210 that is housed separately from one or more remaining components of the controller 202. For example, the user interface 210 (or more generally the controller 202) may be disposed within the display 220. In some embodiments, the user interface 210 may be located proximate one or more other components of the controller 202, while in other embodiments, the user interface 210 may be located remotely from one or more other components of the controller 202.

[0062] The generator 212 comprises one or more electrical components (e.g., batteries, resistors, capacitors, inductors, etc.) that facilitate the generation or modulation of current carried to the ablation probe 100 to enable the energy element 116 to deliver energy to the anatomical tissue surrounding the ablation probe 100. The controller 202 controls the generator 212 to adjust the current (e.g., RF current) carried to the ablation probe 100. For example, the controller 202 can control the generator 212 to generate a fixed current that is passed through the ablation probe 100. Additionally or alternatively, the controller 202 can control the generator 212 to generate an alternating current. In still other embodiments, the generator 212 may be configured to generate ultrasonic energy that is delivered to the ablation probe 100 in accordance with control signals received from the controller 202.

[0063] In some embodiments, the controller 202 can control the generator 212 based on inputs from the user, data stored in the memory 206 and processed by the processor 204, instructions stored in the database 230, or the like. For example, the user may want the energy element 116 of the ablation probe 100 to emit a 1064 nm wavelength of RF energy, and may provide an input through the user interface 210 to the controller 202 to that effect. The controller 202 may then cause the generator 212 to generate a first current (e.g., by executing instructions stored in the memory 206) sufficient to cause the energy element 116 to emit the 1064 nm wavelength of RF energy.

[0064] The display 220 may be or comprise a screen or touchscreen that renders information related to the ablation for the user to view. In some embodiments, the user may be able to control one or more components of the system 200 through the display 220 (e.g., the display 220 may comprise the user interface 210). In one embodiment, the display 220 and the generator 212 may be positioned in the same housing. The type of information rendered to the display 220 is in no way limited, and some examples of information related to the surgery include an amount of power supplied to the ablation probe 100; information about a temperature of the ablation probe 100 (e.g., measured by the temperature monitor 120); information about the current step of the surgical procedure; information about changes to a rate of coolant flow through the ablation probe 100; combinations thereof; and the like.

[0065] The coolant system 224 may control the cooling of the ablation probe 100, and includes a coolant reservoir 228 and a coolant pump 236. The coolant reservoir 228 may have one or more containers that house one or more coolants (e.g., water, saline, CO2 gas, etc ). The coolant pump 236 comprises one or more pumps that can be controlled (e.g., by the controller 202) to pump the coolant into and out of the ablation probe 100. In some embodiments, each inflow channel and each outflow channel of the ablation probe 100 may have a separate pump to adjust the flow rate of coolant flowing through each of the inflow channels and the outflow channels (in embodiments where the ablation probe 100 comprises a plurality of inflow and/or outflow channels). The coolant may be fluidically communicated to the ablation probe 100 through one or more fluid conduits (e g , through the inflow channel 124).

[0066] In some embodiments, the coolant pump 236 may comprise a suction mechanism that can be turned on (e.g., begin generating a vacuum or other negative pressure to remove coolant from the ablation probe 100) when coolant is supplied to the ablation probe 100. As such, coolant may be dispensed into a distal end 106 of the ablation probe 100, such as by the inflow channel 124, and may be removed from the distal end 106 by the outflow channel 128. The coolant may then be pumped back into a separate container in the coolant reservoir 228. In some embodiments, the coolant system 224 may be controlled by the controller 202 and/or by input commands by the user (e.g., via the user interface 210). For example, the processor 204 of the controller 202 may process coolant flow instructions 232 in the memory 206, which coolant flow instructions 232 cause the controller 202 to adjust the flow rate of coolant from the coolant reservoir 228 and into the ablation probe 100. The coolant flow instructions 232 may, in some cases, specify the coolant flow rates at one or more steps in the surgery or surgical procedure, such that the coolant flow instructions 232 can be processed at each step in the surgery or surgical procedure to adjust the flow rate of coolant into the ablation probe 100 throughout the surgery or surgical procedure.

[0067] The coolant flow instructions 232 may, at one or more steps in the surgery or surgical procedure, specify that the coolant flow through the ablation probe 100 should be disabled or reduced. For example, at the beginning of the surgery or surgical procedure the coolant system 224 may be disabled by the controller 202 based on execution of the coolant flow instructions 232, such that coolant does not or cannot flow through the ablation probe 100. In other cases, the coolant flow instructions 232 may provide one or more pre-set conditions for the ablation probe 100. In one example, the coolant flow instructions 232 may specify a pre-dose in which the coolant system 224 is to be disabled for a predetermined amount of time at the start of a surgical ablation procedure. In this example, the user interface 210 may provide, on the display 220, a feature (e.g., a virtual button) that enables a user to initiate a pre-dose. When the user interacts with the feature to initiate the pre-dose, the coolant flow instructions 232 may be executed and, as a result, the coolant system 224 may be disabled for the predetermined amount of time (e.g., 30 seconds, 45 seconds, 60 seconds, etc ). The executed coolant flow instructions 232 may further specify that, after the predetermined amount of time, the coolant system 224 is to turn on and deliver coolant at a predetermined flow rate. After the predetermined amount of time, the coolant system 224 may be enabled, and the controller 202 may control the amount of coolant flowing through the ablation probe 100 from the coolant system 224 in accordance with the coolant flow instructions 232.

[0068] By disabling the coolant system 224, the ablation probe 100 may be able to generate and emit additional energy into surrounding anatomical tissue, resulting in greater necrosis along the length of the ablation probe 100 and preventing or reducing the likelihood that the surrounding anatomical tissue does not experience necrosis. With reference to Fig. 3, an example image 300 of a surgical site 302 subject to ablation by the ablation probe 100 is shown in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The image 300 depicts a surgical site 302 that includes ablated tissue 304 as well as unablated tissue 308. The ablated tissue 304 may be a result of the ablation probe 100 generating energy sufficient to ablate the tissue, such that the ablated tissue 304 is fully necrotized. However, due to the flow of coolant through the ablation probe 100, tissue along the catheter track (e.g., the pathway into which the ablation probe 100 was inserted) may remain unablated. In other words, the coolant flow through the ablation probe 100 may prevent the ablation probe 100 from necrotizing the unablated tissue 308.

[0069] To minimize the likelihood of the ablation resulting in unablated tissue 308, the flow rate of coolant from the coolant system 224 may be delivered (e.g., started, adjusted, reduced or turned off, etc.) in accordance with the one or more pre-set conditions to permit the ablation probe 100 to better necrotize the anatomical tissue along the catheter track. It is to be understood that, while the image 300 depicts unablated (e.g., “raw”) anatomical tissue along a catheter track of the ablation probe 100, the above discussion is not in any way limited to anatomical tissue positioned along the catheter track, and that the coolant flow may be adjusted or otherwise changed in a variety of ways to prevent or reduce the likelihood of unablated tissue at any location within the surgical site 302.

[0070] The database 230 may store information related to one or more surgical plans (e.g., information related to the type of tissue to be ablated, the position and orientation of one or more anatomical elements of a patient, etc.); information related to the ablation probe 100 (e g., a model type, a recommended operating temperature or power range, etc.); information about the coolant system 224 (e.g., operating parameters, determinations of recommended or optimal coolant flow rates through the ablation probe 100 at one or more steps of a surgery or surgical procedure, etc.); one or more pre-set conditions relating to the operation of the ablation probe 100 and the coolant system 224 (e.g., the predetermined amount of time for which the coolant system 224 is disabled at the start of the surgery or surgical procedure); and/or any other useful information. The database 230 may be configured to provide any such information to the controller 202 or to any other device of the system 200 (e.g., to the generator 212, to the display 220, to the coolant system 224) or external to the system 200, whether directly or via the cloud 234. In some embodiments, the database 230 may be or comprise part of a hospital image storage system, such as a picture archiving and communication system (PACS), a health information system (HIS), and/or another system for collecting, storing, managing, and/or transmitting electronic medical records or other medical information.

[0071] The cloud 234 may be or represent the Internet or any other wide area network. The controller 202 may be connected to the cloud 234 via the communication interface 208, using a wired connection, a wireless connection, or both. In some embodiments, the controller 202 and/or other components of the system 200 (e.g., the generator 212, the display 220, the coolant system 224, etc.) may communicate with one another, the database 230, and/or an external device via the cloud 234.

[0072] The system 200 or similar systems may be used, for example, to carry out one or more aspects of any of the methods described herein. The system 200 or similar systems may also be used for other purposes.

[0073] Fig. 4 depicts a method 400 that may be used, for example, to perform an ablation using an ablation probe, during which the coolant flow may be temporarily reduced or disabled. It is to be understood that, while the method 400 below specifies five different steps, embodiments of the method 400 may comprise more or fewer steps than those described below, and/or one or more steps that are different than the steps described below.

[0074] The method 400 (and/or one or more steps thereof) may be carried out or otherwise performed, for example, by at least one processor. The at least one processor may be the same as or similar to the processor(s) 204 of the controller 202 described above. A processor other than any processor described herein may also be used to execute the method 400. The at least one processor may perform the method 400 by executing elements stored in a memory such as the memory 206. The elements stored in memory and executed by the processor (e.g., the coolant flow instructions 232) may cause the processor to execute one or more steps of a function as shown in method 400. One or more portions of the method 400 may be performed by the processor executing any of the contents of the memory 206.

[0075] The method 400 comprises inserting an ablation device into a surgical site (step 404). The ablation device may be similar to or the same as the ablation probe 100. The ablation probe 100 may be inserted into the target surgical site based on the specifications of a surgical plan (e.g., a surgical plan stored in the memory 206, stored in the database 230, etc.). The surgical plan, for example, may specify a location and angle of insertion of the ablation probe 100 into the brain of the patient, such that the ablation probe 100 can ablate anatomical tissue (e.g., a tumor) within the brain of the patient.

[0076] The method 400 also comprises connecting an ablation device to a coolant reservoir (step 408). The coolant reservoir may be similar to or the same as the coolant reservoir 228. The inflow channel 124 and the outflow channel 128 of the ablation probe 100 are connected to the coolant reservoir 228 and to the coolant pump 236, such that coolant from the coolant reservoir 228 can flow into the ablation probe 100 through the inflow channel 124 and then out of the ablation probe 100 and into the coolant reservoir 228. In some embodiments, a first container of the coolant reservoir 228 may provide the coolant flowing into the ablation probe 100, while a second, different container of the coolant reservoir 228 may receive the spent cooling flowing out of the ablation probe 100. [0077] The method 400 also comprises transmitting energy from an energy element of the ablation device based on a pre-set condition associated with time and power of the energy (step 412). The controller 202 may access the database 230 and/or the memory 206 to determine the pre-set condition, and control the generator 212 to ensure the ablation probe 100 transmits energy in accordance with the pre-set condition. For example, at the beginning of the surgery or surgical procedure, the controller 202 may access a surgical plan that specifies a pre-set condition that the ablation probe 100 is to ablate at a predetermined power setting (e.g., a fixed power setting or a variable power setting) and for a predetermined amount of time. The pre-set condition (including the predetermined power and the predetermined time settings) may be stored in the database 230, may be specified by the user (e.g., based on inputs via the user interface 210), combinations thereof, and the like. The controller 202 may adjust the operation of the generator 212, such as by changing the characteristics of the current output from the generator 212, to ensure the energy element 116 transmits energy at the predetermined power setting. The controller 202 may also monitor the amount of time for which the ablation probe 100 transmits energy (e.g., using a timer or other timing mechanism) and automatically disable the generator 212 and/or the energy element 116 after the predetermined amount of time. In some cases, the controller 202 may continuously monitor and ensure that the energy transmitted by the ablation probe 100 complies with one or more pre-set conditions throughout the course of the surgery or surgical procedure. [0078] In some embodiments, the step 412 may comprise the controller 202 adjusting the power settings associated with delivering the energy from the ablation probe 100 via the energy element 116. For example, the controller 202 may increase the power supplied by the energy element 116 after the predetermined amount of time by, for example, causing the generator 212 to generate a current with an increased amplitude to increase the power of energy dissipated by the ablation probe 100. Additionally or alternatively, the controller 202 may cause the generator 212 to supply a variable power (e.g., a power that varies over a predetermined period of time) to the ablation probe 100.

[0079] The method 400 also comprises delivering coolant to the distal end of the housing based on the pre-set condition (step 416). The pre-set condition may further specify that, at the beginning of the surgery or surgical procedure, the coolant flow is to be disabled or reduced. The controller 202 may adjust the flow rate of coolant in accordance with the pre-set condition, resulting in the flow rate of the coolant into the ablation probe 100 being reduced or stopped for a first period of time (e.g., about 45 seconds). The reduction or stopping of coolant flow may be sufficient to enable the ablation probe 100 to necrotize nearby anatomical tissues that, had the coolant flow rate been maintained, may not have experienced necrosis (e.g., the unablated tissue 308 depicted in the image 00). After the first period of time has passed, the controller 202 may enable the coolant system 224, such that coolant can be delivered to the ablation probe 100 to cool the ablation probe 100 and the anatomical tissue. In some cases, the coolant flow may be turned on and continuously monitored and adjusted by the controller 202 to ensure compliance with the pre-set condition, to mitigate the likelihood of charring of the anatomical tissue, combinations thereof, and the like. In some examples, the controller 202 may automatically enable or adjust the flow rate of the coolant after the predetermined amount of time. Additionally or alternatively, the user may provide input through the user interface 210 to choose or adjust the flow rate of the coolant through the ablation probe 100. In such examples, the system 200 may be programmed with a number of different pre-set flow rates, such that the user can elect a desired flow rate via the user interface 210, and the controller 202 may adjust the coolant system 224 accordingly such coolant flows through the ablation probe 100 at the desired flow rate.

[0080] The method 400 also comprises rendering, to a display, information associated with the delivery of the coolant to the distal end of a housing of the ablation device (step 420).

Throughout the surgery or surgical procedure, the information associated with the delivery of the coolant may be rendered to the display (e.g., display 220). The information may be or comprise coolant flow rate values, an indicator as to whether coolant flow is enabled or disabled (e.g., a red visual indicator when coolant flow is disabled and a green visual indicator when coolant flow is enabled), the current step in the surgical procedure, temperature information from, for example, the temperature monitor 120, combinations thereof, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the controller 202 may require the user to input one or more commands into the display 220 before the surgery or surgical procedure begins (e.g., before the ablation probe 100 begins ablation), after each step of the surgery or surgical procedure, combinations thereof, and/or the like.

[0081] Fig. 5 depicts a method 500 that may be used, for example, to modulate coolant flow based on temperature information. In some embodiments, the method 500 may continue from the step 416 of the method 400. It is to be understood that, while the method 500 below specifies two different steps, embodiments of the method 500 may comprise more or fewer steps than those described below, and/or one or more steps that are different than the steps described below. In some cases, the method 500 may be performed when the ablation probe 100 comprises the temperature monitor 120, and may not be performed when the temperature monitor 120 is absent from the surgery or surgical procedure.

[0082] The method 500 (and/or one or more steps thereof) may be carried out or otherwise performed, for example, by at least one processor. The at least one processor may be the same as or similar to the processor(s) 204 of the controller 202 described above. A processor other than any processor described herein may also be used to execute the method 500. The at least one processor may perform the method 500 by executing elements stored in a memory such as the memory 206. The elements stored in memory and executed by the processor may cause the processor to execute one or more steps of a function as shown in method 500. One or more portions of the method 500 may be performed by the processor executing any of the contents of the memory 206.

[0083] The method 500 comprises receiving temperature information from a temperature probe (step 504). In some embodiments, the step 504 may continue from the step 416 of the method 400, where the coolant was delivered to the ablation probe in accordance with the pre-set condition. The temperature probe may be similar to or the same as the temperature monitor 120, and may be positioned proximate patient tissue to monitor the temperature thereof. Based on readings from the one or more temperature probes, the processor 204 may determine the temperature of the anatomical tissue. In some embodiments, the processor 204 may render such readings and determined temperatures to the display 220. In other examples, the temperature information may be based on the temperature monitor 120 positioned within the ablation probe 100, such that the temperature information reflects an internal temperature of the ablation probe 100.

[0084] Additionally or alternatively, the temperature information may be based on one or more thermal images of the anatomical tissue that are captured during or after the ablation probe 100 has heated the anatomical tissue. The thermal images may comprise information associated with the heating of the anatomical tissue, such as the distribution of heat dissipated from the ablation probe 100 and absorbed by the anatomical tissue. The images may be captured by a thermographic camera (e.g., an infrared camera). In some embodiments, MR Thermography may be used to capture temperature changes around the ablation probe 100. The MR Thermography may include capturing information about proton resonance frequency shift of the anatomical tissue surrounding the ablation probe 100 (due to the heat generated by the ablation probe 100 and received by the anatomical tissue), and using such information to generate a temperature map. In some embodiments, the anatomical tissue temperature information (e.g., the temperature of the anatomical tissue, the thermal images depicting the anatomical tissue, combinations thereof, and/or the like) may be rendered to the display 220 to enable the physician to view the overall distribution of heat in the anatomical tissue

[0085] The method 500 also comprises adjusting the flow of the coolant based on the temperature information (step 508). The controller 202 may, based on the received information, adjust the coolant flow rate within the ablation probe 100. For example, if the temperature information indicates that the ablation probe 100 and/or anatomical tissue near the ablation probe 100 is at a temperature above at or above a threshold value (which may be a value stored in the memory 206 and/or the database 230 and accessed by the controller 202), the controller 202 may determine that there is insufficient cooling of the ablation probe 100, and may increase the coolant flow rate into the ablation probe 100. The controller 202 may increase the coolant flow rate by causing the coolant pump 236 to pump at an increased rate or by causing coolant from a different reservoir or source to be pumped into the ablation probe 100. Additionally or alternatively, the controller 202 may adjust one or more parameters associated with the generator 212 and/or the ablation probe 100, such as by adjusting the power of the energy emitted by the ablation probe 100 by causing the generator 212 to generate current at different parameters or settings (e.g., the current passed to the energy element 116 decreases in magnitude).

[0086] Alternatively, when the temperature information indicates that the ablation probe 100 and/or anatomical tissue near the ablation probe 100 is at a temperature is at or below the threshold value (which may be a value stored in the memory 206 and/or the database 230 and accessed by the controller 202), the controller 202 may determine that there is too much cooling of the ablation probe 100, and may decrease the coolant flow rate into the ablation probe 100. For example, the controller 202 may cause the generator 212 to generate a current with a decreased amplitude, such that the ablation probe 100 generates less heat and delivers less energy to surrounding anatomical tissue.

[0087] In some embodiments, the ablation of the anatomical tissue may be confirmed by capturing one or more images (e.g., Computed Tomography (CT) scans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans, etc.) of the anatomical tissue. In some embodiments, the method 500 or one or more steps thereof may be repeated for other steps during the surgery or surgical procedure, such as when the ablation probe 100 is positioned at a different surgical site, when the ablation probe 100 changes position during ablation such as when the ablation probe 100 is partially extracted along the implant trajectory to ablate anatomical tissue positioned along the catheter path, combinations thereof, and/or the like.

[0088] A set of example statements are provided below:

[0089] Statement 1: A surgical system, comprising: an ablation probe (100), comprising: a housing (108) extending from a distal end (106) to a proximal end (104); an energy element (116) disposed at least partially within the housing (108), the energy element (116) configured to transmit energy to anatomical tissue; and a fluid conduit (124) extending through at least a portion of the housing (108) and configured to transmit coolant to the distal end (106) of the housing (108); and a controller (202), comprising: a processor (204); and a memory (206) storing data thereon that, when processed by the processor (204), enable the processor (204) to: transmit energy from the energy element (116) based on a pre-set condition associated with time and power of the energy; and deliver the coolant to the distal end (106) of the housing (108) based on the pre-set condition.

[0090] Statement 2: The surgical system of Statement 1, further comprising: a coolant pump (236) connectable to the ablation probe (100) and configured to pump the coolant through the fluid conduit (124).

[0091] Statement 3: The surgical system of any of Statements 1-2, wherein the coolant comprises saline, carbon dioxide (CO2) gas, or a combination thereof.

[0092] Statement 4: The surgical system of any of Statements 1-3, wherein the energy is delivered as Radio Frequency (RF) energy at a wavelength between about 980 nanometers (nm) and about 1065 nm.

[0093] Statement 5: The surgical system of any of Statements 1-4, wherein the delivery of the coolant comprises adjusting a flow rate of the coolant.

[0094] Statement 6: The surgical system of any of Statements 1-5, wherein the delivery of the coolant comprises starting a flow of the coolant.

[0095] Statement 7: The surgical system of any of Statements 1-6, wherein the energy element (116) comprises an optical fiber, a radio frequency (RF) transmitter, a laser fiber, or an ultrasonic transmitter.

[0096] Statement 8: The surgical system of any of Statements 1-7, wherein the coolant is delivered after the energy has been transmitted for a predetermined amount of time.

[0097] Statement 9: The surgical system of Statement 8, wherein the predetermined amount of time is about 45 seconds.

[0098] Statement 10: The surgical system of any of Statements 1-9, wherein the memory (206) further comprises data that, when processed by the processor (204), further enable the processor (204) to: render, to a display (220), information associated with the delivery of the coolant to the distal end (106) of the housing (108).

[0099] Statement 11 : A controller, comprising: a processor (204); and a memory (206) storing data thereon that, when executed by the processor (204), enable the processor (204) to: transmit energy from an energy element (116) based on a pre-set condition associated with time and power of the energy; and deliver a coolant to a distal end (106) of a housing (108) of an ablation probe (100) based on the pre-set condition.

[0100] Statement 12: The controller of Statement 11, wherein the coolant comprises saline, carbon dioxide (CO2) gas, or a combination thereof.

[0101] Statement 13 : The controller of any of Statements 11-12, wherein the delivery of the coolant comprises adjusting a flow rate of the coolant. [0102] Statement 14: The controller of any of Statements 11-13, wherein the delivery of the coolant comprises starting a flow of the coolant.

[0103] Statement 15: The controller of any of Statements 11-14, wherein the energy element (116) comprises an optical fiber, a radio frequency (RF) transmitter, a laser fiber, or an ultrasonic transmitter.

[0104] Statement 16: The controller of any of Statements 11-15, wherein the memory (206) further comprises data that, when processed by the processor (204), further enable the processor (204) to: render, to a display (220), information associated with the delivery of the coolant to the distal end (106) of the housing (108) of the ablation probe (100).

[0105] Statement 17: The controller of any of Statements 11-16, wherein the energy is transmitted from the energy element (116) between a first time and a second time, and wherein the coolant is delivered beginning at a third time later than the first time and before a second time.

[0106] Statement 18: The controller of Statement 17, wherein a difference in time between the first time and the third time is about 45 seconds.

[0107] Statement 19: A method, comprising: transmitting energy from an energy element (116) positioned in an ablation probe (100) based on a pre-set condition associated with time and power of the energy; and delivering a coolant to a distal end (106) of a housing (108) of the ablation probe (100) based on the pre-set condition.

[0108] Statement 20: The method of Statement 19, wherein the delivering of the coolant further comprises: adjusting a flow rate of the coolant.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A surgical system, comprising: an ablation probe (100), comprising: a housing (108) extending from a distal end (106) to a proximal end (104); an energy element (116) disposed at least partially within the housing (108), the energy element (116) configured to transmit energy to anatomical tissue; and a fluid conduit (124) extending through at least a portion of the housing (108) and configured to transmit coolant to the distal end (106) of the housing (108); and a controller (202), comprising: a processor (204); and a memory (206) storing data thereon that, when processed by the processor (204), enable the processor (204) to: transmit energy from the energy element (116) based on a pre-set condition associated with time and power of the energy; and deliver the coolant to the distal end (106) of the housing (108) based on the pre-set condition.

2. The surgical system of claim 1, further comprising: a coolant pump (236) connectable to the ablation probe (100) and configured to pump the coolant through the fluid conduit (124).

3. The surgical system of any of claims 1-2, wherein the coolant comprises saline, carbon dioxide (CO2) gas, or a combination thereof.

4. The surgical system of any of claims 1-3, wherein the energy is delivered as Radio Frequency (RF) energy at a wavelength between about 980 nanometers (nm) and about 1065 nm.

5. The surgical system of any of claims 1-4, wherein the delivery of the coolant comprises adjusting a flow rate of the coolant.

6. The surgical system of any of claims 1-5, wherein the delivery of the coolant comprises starting a flow of the coolant.

7. The surgical system of any of claims 1-6, wherein the energy element (116) comprises an optical fiber, a radio frequency (RF) transmitter, a laser fiber, or an ultrasonic transmitter, and wherein the coolant is delivered after the energy has been transmitted for a predetermined amount of time.

8. The surgical system of claim 7, wherein the predetermined amount of time is about 45 seconds.

9. A controller, comprising: a processor (204); and a memory (206) storing data thereon that, when executed by the processor (204), enable the processor (204) to: transmit energy from an energy element (116) based on a pre-set condition associated with time and power of the energy; and deliver a coolant to a distal end (106) of a housing (108) of an ablation probe (100) based on the pre-set condition.

10. The controller of claim 9, wherein the coolant comprises saline, carbon dioxide (CO2) gas, or a combination thereof.

11. The controller of any of claims 9-10, wherein the delivery of the coolant comprises adjusting a flow rate of the coolant.

12. The controller of any of claims 9-11, wherein the delivery of the coolant comprises starting a flow of the coolant.

13. The controller of any of claims 11-12, wherein the energy element (116) comprises an optical fiber, a radio frequency (RF) transmitter, a laser fiber, or an ultrasonic transmitter.

14. The controller of any of claims 11-13, wherein the memory (206) further comprises data that, when processed by the processor (204), further enable the processor (204) to: render, to a display (220), information associated with the delivery of the coolant to the distal end (106) of the housing (108) of the ablation probe (100).

15. A method, compri sing : transmitting energy from an energy element (116) positioned in an ablation probe (100) based on a pre-set condition associated with time and power of the energy; and delivering a coolant to a distal end (106) of a housing (108) of the ablation probe (100) based on the pre-set condition.