Helical and pre-oriented loop structures for supporting diagnostic and therapeutic elements in contact with body tissue

• US 20010020174A1
• Filed: 04/10/2001
• Published: 09/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Scimed Life Systems Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Koblish, Josef V.
• Granted Patent: US 6,745,080 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/194
• 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 2018/00065 porous
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00077 high, i.e. electrically conducting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00113 with foam
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00148 with metal
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00214 Expandable means emitting energy, e.g. by elements carried thereon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00357 Endocardium
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00375 Ostium, e.g. ostium of pulmonary vein or artery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00797 measured by multiple temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00821 measured by a thermocouple
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1407 Loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1435 Spiral
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1467 using more than two electrodes on a single probe

Abstract

A probe that facilitates the creation of circumferential lesions in body tissue. The probe includes a probe body and a helical or loop structure that supports electrodes or other operative elements against the body tissue.

Claims

1. A probe, comprising:

a probe body defining a distal region, a proximal region and a longitudinal axis;

a helical structure associated with the distal region of the probe body and movable between a coiled and uncoiled configuration, the helical structure defining proximal and distal ends, proximal and distal end diameters, and proximal and distal end stiffnesses, the distal end diameter being less than the proximal end diameter when in the coiled configuration and the distal end stiffness being less than the proximal end stiffness at least when in the uncoiled configuration; and

at least one operative element supported on the helical structure.

2. A probe as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein the probe body comprises a catheter body.

3. A probe as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein the helical structure defines a longitudinal axis coincident with the longitudinal axis of the probe body.

4. A probe as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein the helical structure defines a longitudinal axis and completes at least one revolution about the longitudinal axis.

5. A probe as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein the helical structure defines a longitudinal axis and completes at least two revolutions about the longitudinal axis.

6. A probe as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein the stiffness of the helical structure decreases at a non-zero rate from the proximal end to the distal end.

7. A probe as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein the helical structure includes a core wire defining a core wire stiffness at the proximal end of the helical structure and a core wire stiffness at the distal end of the helical structure that is less than the core wire stiffness at the proximal end of the helical structure.

8. A probe as claimed in

claim 7

, wherein the core wire defines a cross-sectional area at the proximal end of the helical structure and a cross-sectional at the distal end of the helical structure that is less than the cross-sectional area at the proximal end of the helical structure.

9. A probe as claimed in

claim 8

, wherein the core wire defines a substantially constant taper over at least a portion thereof.

10. A probe as claimed in

claim 7

, wherein the core wire comprises shape memory material.

11. A probe as claimed in

claim 10

, wherein the shape memory material is activated at temperatures above body temperature.

12. A probe as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein the at least one operative element comprises a plurality of electrodes.

13. A probe as claimed in

claim 1

, further comprising:

an anchor member associated with the distal end of the helical structure and extending distally therefrom.

14. A probe as claimed in

claim 1

, further comprising:

a control element associated with the helical structure and extending to the proximal region of the probe body.

15. A probe, comprising:

a probe body defining a distal region, a proximal region and a longitudinal axis;

a helical structure associated with the distal region of the probe body and defining proximal and distal ends;

a core wire located within the helical structure and defining a core wire stiffness at the proximal end of the helical structure and a core wire stiffness at the distal end of the helical structure that is less than the core wire stiffness at the proximal end of the helical structure; and

at least one operative element supported on the helical structure.

16. A probe as claimed in

claim 15

, wherein the probe body comprises a catheter body.

17. A probe as claimed in

claim 15

, wherein the helical structure defines a longitudinal axis coincident with the longitudinal axis of the probe body.

18. A probe as claimed in

claim 15

, wherein the helical structure defines a longitudinal axis and completes at least one revolution about the longitudinal axis.

19. A probe as claimed in

claim 15

, wherein the helical structure defines a longitudinal axis and completes at least two revolutions about the longitudinal axis.

20. A probe as claimed in

claim 15

, wherein the core wire defines a cross-sectional area at the proximal end of the helical structure and a cross-sectional at the distal end of the helical structure that is less than the cross-sectional area at the proximal end of the helical structure.

21. A probe as claimed in

claim 20

, wherein the core wire defines a substantially constant taper over at least a portion thereof.

22. A probe as claimed in

claim 20

, wherein the core wire comprises shape memory material.

23. A probe as claimed in

claim 22

, wherein the shape memory material is activated at temperatures above body temperature.

24. A probe as claimed in

claim 15

, wherein the at least one operative element comprises a plurality of electrodes.

25. A probe as claimed in

claim 15

, further comprising:

an anchor member associated with the distal end of the helical structure and extending distally therefrom.

26. A probe as claimed in

claim 15

, further comprising:

a control element associated with the helical structure and extending to the proximal region of the probe body.

27. A probe, comprising:

a probe body defining a distal region, a proximal region and a longitudinal axis;

a helical structure associated with the distal region of the probe body and defining proximal and distal ends;

a core wire located within the helical structure and defining a cross-sectional area at the proximal end of the helical structure and a cross-sectional

at the distal end of the helical structure that is less than the cross-sectional area at the proximal end of the helical structure; and

at least one operative element supported on the helical structure.

28. A probe as claimed in

claim 27

, wherein the probe body comprises a catheter body.

29. A probe as claimed in

claim 27

, wherein the helical structure defines a longitudinal axis coincident with the longitudinal axis of the probe body.

30. A probe as claimed in

claim 27

, wherein the helical structure defines a longitudinal axis and completes at least one revolution about the longitudinal axis.

31. A probe as claimed in

claim 27

, wherein the helical structure defines a longitudinal axis and completes at least two revolutions about the longitudinal axis.

32. A probe as claimed in

claim 27

, wherein the core wire defines a substantially constant taper over at least a portion thereof.

33. A probe as claimed in

claim 27

, wherein the core wire comprises shape memory material.

34. A probe as claimed in

claim 33

, wherein the shape memory material is activated at temperatures above body temperature.

35. A probe as claimed in

claim 27

, wherein the at least one operative element comprises a plurality of electrodes.

36. A probe as claimed in

claim 27

, further comprising:

an anchor member associated with the distal end of the helical structure and extending distally therefrom.

37. A probe as claimed in

claim 27

, further comprising:

a control element associated with the helical structure and extending to the proximal region of the probe body.

38. A probe, comprising:

a probe body defining a distal region, a proximal region and a longitudinal axis;

a helical structure associated with the distal region of the probe body defining proximal and distal ends and proximal and distal end diameters, the distal end diameter being less than the proximal end diameter;

an anchor member associated with the distal end of the helical structure;

a core wire formed from shape memory material including a helical portion located within the helical structure and a linear portion located within the anchor member, the helical portion defining a cross-sectional area at the proximal end of the helical structure and a cross-sectional at the distal end of the helical structure that is less than the cross-sectional area at the proximal end of the helical structure and the linear portion defining a cross-sectional area that is less than the cross-sectional area at the proximal end of the helical structure; and

a plurality of electrodes supported on the helical structure.

39. A probe as claimed in

claim 38

, wherein the probe body comprises a catheter body.

40. A probe, comprising:

an elongate body defining a longitudinal axis, distal region, a proximal region, a proximal end and a curved portion having a pre-set curvature, the curved portion defining a curved portion plane that is arranged at a non-zero angle to longitudinal axis of the elongate body;

a control element defining a distal portion associated with the distal region of the elongate body and extending outwardly therefrom and proximally to the proximal end of the elongate body; and

at least one operative element supported on the distal region.

41. A probe as claimed in

claim 40

, wherein the curved portion plane that is arranged at an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to longitudinal axis of the elongate body.

42. A probe as claimed in

claim 40

, wherein the elongate body comprises a catheter body.

43. A probe as claimed in

claim 40

, wherein the curved portion is located within the proximal region.

44. A probe as claimed in

claim 40

, wherein the proximal region includes a proximal member defining a first stiffness, the distal region includes a distal member defining a second stiffness, and the second stiffness is less than the first stiffness.

45. A probe as claimed in

claim 40

, wherein the at least one operative element comprises a plurality of electrodes.

46. A probe as claimed in

claim 40

, further comprising:

a tubular member;

wherein the elongate body is positioned within the tubular member and the control element extends from the distal region of the elongate body through the tubular member along the exterior of the elongate body.