Systems and methods for variable injection flow

摘要

Systems and methods for controllably variable fluid flow are disclosed that provide the ability to modify the effective cross-sectional area of the fluid delivery conduit available for fluid flow. Accordingly, selective control of these configurations allows fluid flow to be regulated as desired while the fluid delivery pressure remains the same. Additional configurations provided herein allow for the selective manipulation of a footprint or therapeutic pattern achievable with the medical device during a single procedure, negating the need for the removal and insertion of multiple devices to achieve the same variations in treatment geometry or characteristics.

主权项

1. A method of controlling fluid delivery in a medical device, comprising:
movably positioning a fluid delivery conduit within a delivery manifold in the medical device, the fluid delivery conduit defining a first plurality of openings and the delivery manifold defining a second plurality of openings, the medical device defining a distal tip and including a first thermally transmissive region proximate the delivery manifold and a second thermally transmissive region at the distal tip; introducing a fluid into the fluid delivery conduit; moving the fluid delivery conduit to a first position where the first plurality of openings is substantially aligned with the second plurality of openings to direct fluid through the first and second plurality of openings and toward the first thermally transmissive region to create an elongated treatment pattern; and moving the fluid delivery conduit to a second position where the second plurality of openings are substantially obstructed by the fluid delivery conduit, and at least one of the plurality of first openings is positioned outside the manifold such that fluid is directed through the at least one of the plurality of first openings and toward the second thermally transmissive region to create a focal treatment pattern.