Ablation catheter

• US 10,251,698 B2
• Filed: 04/22/2014
• Issued: 04/09/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cathrx Ltd
• Original Assignee: Cathrx Ltd
• Inventors: Greifeneder, Roman, Mortimer, Tyler McKinley, Ogle, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Peffley, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Zink, Amanda
• Application Number:
  US14/785,532
• Publication Number:
  US 20160095650A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,813 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3203 Fluid jet cutting instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 Steerable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable for prosthetic joint-implanting tools A61F2/4603
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00029 open
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00077 high, i.e. electrically conducting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00178 Electrical connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00196 reciprocating lengthwise
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00214 Expandable means emitting energy, e.g. by elements carried thereon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00351 Heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00636 Sensing and controlling the application of energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00916 with means for switching or controlling the main function of the instrument or device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1407 Loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1467 using more than two electrodes on a single probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1472 for use with liquid electrolyte, e.g. virtual electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/002 Irrigation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/40 Applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling microwave apparatus A61N5/00; Applying radio-frequency signals

Abstract

An ablation catheter includes a control handle and a catheter sheath removably connectable to the control handle, the catheter sheath defining a fluid lumen and having a plurality of perforations proximal the distal end of the catheter sheath. The ablation catheter further includes a shape-imparting element inserted into the fluid lumen of the catheter sheath and removably connectable to the control handle. The shape-imparting element is connectable to an RF energy source so that, in use, the shape-imparting elements act as an electrode charging fluid into the fluid lumen to be expelled through the plurality of perforations on the catheter sheath.

Claims

1. An ablation catheter comprising:

a control handle having an electrical connector arranged at a proximal end of the control handle, the electrical connector being connectable to an RF energy source;

a catheter sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, the catheter sheath defining a fluid lumen and having one or more perforations proximal the distal end of the catheter sheath, the catheter sheath being connectable to the control handle;

an elongate shape-imparting element of conductive material inserted into the fluid lumen of the catheter sheath and connected to the control handle at an attachment point; and

an electrical conductor extending from the electrical connector to the attachment point for electrically connecting the shape-imparting element to the electrical connector and the RF energy source.

2. The ablation catheter of claim 1, further comprising a coupling mechanism for removably connecting the shape-imparting element to the control handle.

3. The ablation catheter of claim 2, further comprising a fastener for connecting the electrical conductor to the coupling mechanism.

4. The ablation catheter of claim 3, wherein the catheter sheath includes a catheter sheath connector for connecting the catheter sheath to the control handle, the catheter sheath extending through the catheter sheath connector and the control handle to the proximal end of the control handle, and being connected to a fluid connector.

5. The ablation catheter of claim 4, wherein the catheter sheath is removably connectable to the control handle via a catheter sheath connector.

6. The ablation catheter of claim 5, wherein the shape-imparting element is removably attached to the control handle.

7. The ablation catheter of claim 6, wherein the catheter sheath includes conductors embedded within the wall of the sheath.

8. The ablation catheter of claim 7, wherein the catheter sheath includes at least one sensing electrode.

9. The ablation catheter of claim 8, wherein the catheter sheath connector includes an electrical sheath connector for connecting conductors from the sensing electrodes to a monitoring device.

10. The ablation catheter of claim 9, further comprising electrical connector elements extending through the control handle to electrically connect the electrical sheath connector to the electrical connector so as to allow the catheter to be connected to the monitoring device.

11. The ablation catheter of claim 10, wherein the sensing electrodes are positioned adjacent the one or more perforations.

12. The ablation catheter of claim 10, wherein the catheter sheath is formed of a helically wound cable including:

an inner non-conductive tubular member; and

an outer layer having a plurality of conductors coiled in a helical manner embedded within the wall of the outer layer.

13. The ablation catheter of claim 12, wherein a distal portion of the outer layer including the conductors embedded within the wall of that portion of the outer layer is removed to expose a distal portion of the inner non-conductive tubular member, and wherein the perforations are formed on the exposed portion of the inner non-conductive tubular member.

14. The ablation catheter of claim 3, further comprising a fluid tube in a sealing connection with the fluid lumen of the catheter sheath, the fluid tube extending from a catheter sheath connector through the control handle and the proximal end of the control handle to a fluid connector for supplying fluid to the fluid lumen of the catheter sheath.

15. The ablation catheter of claim 14, wherein the catheter sheath includes a catheter sheath connector for connecting the catheter sheath to the control handle, the catheter sheath extending through the catheter sheath connector and the control handle to the proximal end of the control handle, and being connected to a fluid connector.

16. The ablation catheter of claim 15, wherein the catheter sheath is removably connectable to the control handle via a catheter sheath connector.

17. The ablation catheter of claim 16, wherein the shape-imparting element is removably attached to the control handle.

18. The ablation catheter of claim 17, wherein the catheter sheath includes conductors embedded within the wall of the sheath.

19. The ablation catheter of claim 18, wherein the catheter sheath includes at least one sensing electrode.

20. The ablation catheter of claim 19, wherein the catheter sheath connector includes an electrical sheath connector for connecting conductors from the sensing electrodes to a monitoring device.