Cardiac mapping and ablation systems

• US 20010021867A1
• Filed: 12/21/2000
• Published: 09/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/1993
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David K. Swanson, Thomas F. Kordis
• Original Assignee: David K. Swanson, Thomas F. Kordis
• Inventors: Swanson, David K., Kordis, Thomas F.
• Granted Patent: US 6,360,128 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/112
• 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 2018/0016 Energy applicators arranged in a two- or three dimensional array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00214 Expandable means emitting energy, e.g. by elements carried thereon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00267 having a basket shaped structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00357 Endocardium
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00839 Bioelectrical parameters, e.g. ECG, EEG
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0091 Handpieces of the surgical instrument or device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1253 monopolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1407 Loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1435 Spiral
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/002 Irrigation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/06 for high-frequency therapy

Abstract

A probe for cardiac diagnosis and/or treatment has a catheter tube. The distal end of the catheter tube carries first and second electrode elements. The probe includes a mechanism for steering the first electrode element relative to the second electrode element in multiple directions.

Claims

1. A probe for use within the heart to contact endocardial tissue comprising

a catheter tube having a distal end,

a first electrode element on the distal end,

second electrode element on the distal end, the second electrode element defining a three-dimensional structure that extends along an axis and that has an open interior, and

means for moving the first electrode element within the open interior of the second electrode element in a first direction along the axis of the second electrode element, in a second direction rotating about the axis of the second electrode element, and in a third direction normal to the axis of the second electrode element.

2. A probe according to

claim 1

wherein at least one of the first and second electrode elements is operative for emitting energy to ablate myocardial tissue.

3. A probe according to

claim 1

wherein at least one of the first and second electrode elements is operative for sensing electrical activity in endocardial tissue.

4. A probe according to

claim 1

wherein one of the first and second electrode elements is operative for sensing electrical activity in endocardial tissue, and

wherein the other one of the first and second electrode elements is operative for emitting energy to ablate myocardial tissue.

5. A probe according to

claim 1

wherein at least one of the first and second electrode elements is operative in a first mode for sensing electrical activity in endocardial tissue and in a second mode for emitting energy to ablate myocardial tissue.

6. A system for use within the heart to contact endocardial tissue comprising

a first probe comprising

a catheter tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a bore extending along an axis between the proximal and distal end, and

a three dimensional structure having an open interior area carried on the distal end of the catheter tube, the structure having an exterior surface for contacting endocardial tissue,

a second probe comprising

a guide body having a proximal end and a distal end, the guide body being slidably received with the catheter tube bore with the distal end of the guide body extending beyond the distal end of the catheter tube into the open interior area of the structure and with the proximal end of the guide body extending beyond the proximal end of the catheter tube,

an electrode element carried on the distal end of the guide body, and

means for steering the electrode element through the hollow interior area in a first direction along the axis of the catheter tube bore, in a second direction rotating about the axis of the catheter tube bore, and in a third direction normal to the axis of the catheter tube bore.

7. A system according to

claim 6

and further including means for collapsing the structure to close the interior area and for expanding the structure to open the interior area.

8. A system according to

claim 6

and further including a second electrode element on the exterior surface of the structure.

9. A system according to

claim 8

wherein at least one of the first and second electrode elements is operative for sensing electrical activity in endocardial tissue.

10. A system according to

claim 8

wherein the at least one of the first and second electrode elements is operative for emitting energy to ablate myocardial tissue.

11. A system according to

claim 6

wherein the electrode element is operative for emitting energy to ablate myocardial tissue.

12. A system according to

claim 6

and further including a second electrode element on the exterior surface operative for sensing electrical activity in endocardial tissue.

13. A system according to

claim 12

wherein the first electrode element is operative for emitting energy to ablate myocardial tissue.

14. A system according to

claim 13

wherein the second electrode element is further operative for emitting energy to ablate myocardial tissue.

15. A system according to

claim 6

and further including a handle attached to the proximal end of the guide body, and

wherein the handle includes control means attached to the steering means for remotely moving the electrode element in the third direction.