Ablation systems including pulse rate detector and feedback mechanism and methods of use

• US 10,398,501 B2
• Filed: 02/19/2015
• Issued: 09/03/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: St. Jude Medical Cardiology Division Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: St. Jude Medical Cardiology Division Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Willard, Steven
• Primary Examiner(s): Peffley, Michael F
• Assistant Examiner(s): Demie, Tigist S
• Application Number:
  US14/626,484
• Publication Number:
  US 20150305806A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,657 Days
• 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 2017/00044 Sensing electrocardiography, i.e. ECG
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00404 Blood vessels other than those in or around the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00434 Neural system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00511 Kidney
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00642 with feedback, i.e. closed loop control
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00714 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00821 measured by a thermocouple
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00839 Bioelectrical parameters, e.g. ECG, EEG

Abstract

Methods, systems, and apparatuses for performing a renal denervation procedure using an ablation catheter are described. An ablation catheter system may include an ablation catheter including at least one electrode, a generator, and a pulse rate detector and feedback mechanism in electrical connection with the generator. In one embodiment, a method for controlling the temperature of a lesion created inside of a patient includes determining the pulse rate of the patient prior to, and optionally during, a renal denervation procedure and adjusting the amount of energy distributed to an ablation catheter electrode based at least in part on the pulse rate of the patient so as to control the temperature of the lesion being created. By controlling the temperature of the lesion during the ablation process, more consistent patient outcomes may be provided.

Claims

1. An ablation catheter system for creating a lesion in a patient comprising an ablation catheter including at least one electrode, a generator, and a pulse rate detector and feedback mechanism in electrical connection with the generator, wherein the generator receives pulse rate data from the pulse rate detector via the feedback mechanism, and wherein the generator is configured to determine an amount of energy to be supplied to the at least one electrode based at least on the received pulse rate data to control and adjust a target temperature for the at least one electrode.

2. The ablation catheter system of claim 1 wherein the ablation catheter additionally includes at least one thermocouple.

3. The ablation catheter system of claim 1 wherein the pulse rate detector is sized and configured for attachment to the finger of a patient.

4. The ablation catheter system of claim 1 wherein the pulse rate detector is sized and configured for attachment to the wrist of a patient.

5. The ablation catheter system of claim 1 wherein the pulse rate detector is an electrocardiogram.

6. The ablation catheter system of claim 1 wherein the generator is a radio frequency generator.

7. The ablation catheter system of claim 1 wherein the feedback mechanism is in electrical connection with the generator through a computer.

8. The ablation catheter system of claim 1 wherein the ablation catheter includes at least two electrodes.

9. The ablation catheter system of claim 1 wherein the pulse rate detector is configured to continuously monitor the pulse rate of the patient.