Systems and methods for unobstructed visualization and ablation

• US 10,441,136 B2
• Filed: 02/16/2016
• Issued: 10/15/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc. (Intuitive Surgical Holdings, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc. (Intuitive Surgical Holdings, LLC)
• Inventors: Saadat, Vahid, Peh, Ruey-Feng, Rothe, Chris A., Tam, Edmund
• Primary Examiner(s): Newton, Alexandra L
• Assistant Examiner(s): Boler, Rynae
• Application Number:
  US15/044,667
• Publication Number:
  US 20160157702A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,337 Days
• Field of Search: 600104, 606 41, 607122
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00085 Baskets
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00089 Hoods
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/005 Flexible endoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/3137 for examination of the interior of blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12022 Occluding by internal devices, e.g. balloons or releasable wires plugging an opening in the wall of an organ A61B17/0057; occluders for the cervical canal A61F6/146; vas deferens occluders A61F6/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12036 partial occlusion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1204 temporary occlusion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12136 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12172 having a pre-set deployed three-dimensional shape methods of manufacturing A61B2017/00526
• 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 2018/00357 Endocardium
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00982 combined with or comprising means for visual or photographic inspections inside the body, e.g. endoscopes

Abstract

A method of treatment comprises intravascularly securing an anchor extending from an anchor member at least partially within a vessel lumen such that blood flows unobstructed through or past the anchor. While the anchor is secured, a distance of the anchor member, between the anchor and a barrier or membrane projecting distally from a deployment catheter, is adjusted such that an open area defined by the barrier or membrane is placed against or adjacent to a portion of a patient tissue. Adjusting the distance of the anchor member comprises moving the deployment catheter distally with respect to the anchor member. The method also comprises displacing blood with a transparent fluid from the open area, and while the anchor is secured, articulating the barrier or membrane circumferentially around the anchor. The method also includes treating the tissue while visualizing through the transparent fluid.

Claims

1. A method of treatment, comprising:

intravascularly securing an anchor extending from an anchor member at least partially within a vessel lumen such that blood flows unobstructed through or past the anchor;

while the anchor is secured, adjusting a distance of the anchor member between the anchor and a barrier or membrane projecting distally from a deployment catheter such that an open area defined by the barrier or membrane is placed against or adjacent to a portion of a patient tissue, wherein adjusting the distance of the anchor member comprises moving the deployment catheter distally with respect to the anchor member;

displacing blood with a transparent fluid from the open area;

while the anchor is secured, articulating the barrier or membrane circumferentially around the anchor; and

treating the tissue while visualizing through the transparent fluid.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein intravascularly securing comprises advancing the anchor within a lumen of a pulmonary vein.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein intravascularly securing comprises expanding the anchor from a low-profile shape to an expanded shape.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein intravascularly securing comprises expanding the anchor having a helical shape.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein intravascularly securing comprises expanding the anchor having a basket shape.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein intravascularly securing comprises expanding the anchor having a mesh shape.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein adjusting comprises tensioning the anchor member extending through the open area of the barrier or membrane.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein adjusting comprises tensioning the anchor member extending through an opening defined along the catheter proximal to the barrier or membrane.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein treating comprises ablating the tissue with an ablation probe advanced into the open area.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein treating comprises circumferentially ablating the tissue.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein circumferentially ablating comprises ablating the tissue in a continuous line while visualizing through the transparent fluid.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein circumferentially ablating comprises ablating the tissue along discrete lesions which overlap one.