Suction stabilized epicardial ablation devices

• US 20020002372A1
• Filed: 04/26/2001
• Published: 01/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Jensen, Donald N., Keogh, James R., Jahns, Scott E., Ocel, Jon M., Lipson, David, Francischelli, David E., Werness, Greg P.
• Granted Patent: US 6,558,382 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1477 Needle-like probes
• 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 2017/00053 Mapping
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00092 using thermocouples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00203 with speech control or speech recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0243 for immobilizing local areas of the heart, e.g. while it beats
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/306 holding by means of suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00011 with fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00291 using suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00363 Epicardium
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00809 measured thermochromatically
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00839 Bioelectrical parameters, e.g. ECG, EEG
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1425 Needle

Abstract

A suction assisted ablation device having a support surface, suction elements disposed adjacent the support surface, at least one electrode and at least one suction conduit is provided. The device may further include fluid openings, which allow fluid to irrigate target tissue and aid in ablation. A method for ablating tissue using suction is also provided.

Claims

1. A suction assisted ablation device comprising:

a support surface, having a first and a second face;

a plurality of suction elements disposed adjacent the support surface on the first face;

at least one conductive element disposed adjacent the support surface on the first face; and

at least one suction conduit operatively connected with the suction elements.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a maneuvering apparatus operatively connected with the support surface.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the maneuvering apparatus comprises at least one pull wire.

4. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

at least one thermocouple element adjacent the suction elements.

5. The device of claim 1 further comprising a second separate support surface wherein

a first conductive element is disposed adjacent the first support surface,

and a second conductive element is disposed adjacent the second support surface,

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the first support surface is positioned to face a first end of an area of tissue and

the second support surface is positioned to face a second end of the area of tissue, thereby completing a circuit.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the conductive element is a plurality of needle electrodes.

8. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

at least one fluid opening disposed adjacent the support surface.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the fluid opening is located within the conductive element.

10. The device of claim 7 wherein the conductive element is made of a material capable of releasing fluid.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein the device is placed using a maneuvering apparatus.

17. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

providing a second support surface having a second conductive element disposed adjacent a first face of the second support surface;

placing the first face of the first support surface adjacent an area of tissue;

conducting suction to the suction elements via the suction conduit;

grasping the tissue with the suction;

placing the first face of the second support surface in line with the first support surface to complete a circuit; and

ablating the tissue.

11. A method of ablating tissue, comprising

providing a suction assisted ablation device comprising a support surface, having a first and a second face, a plurality of suction elements disposed adjacent the support surface on the first face and at least one conductive element disposed adjacent the support surface on the first face;

placing the first face of the device adjacent an area of tissue;

conducting suction to the suction elements via the suction conduit;

grasping the tissue with the suction; and

ablating the tissue.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising

providing at least one fluid outlet adjacent the support surface;

and releasing fluid via the fluid outlet.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the fluid outlet is located within the conductive element.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

providing at least one thermocouple element in communication with at least one suction element; and

measuring a thermal environment of the suction element using the thermocouple element.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising

ablating the tissue until the measurement of the thermal environment reaches a given level.

18. A tissue ablation system comprising:

at least two support surfaces, each support surface having a first and a second face;

a plurality of suction elements disposed adjacent the support surface on the first face;

at least one conductive element disposed adjacent the support surface on the first face;

at least one suction conduit operatively connected with the suction elements; and

at least one maneuvering apparatus along which the support surfaces are disposed.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the support surfaces are disposed consecutively to each other in a linear manner along the maneuvering apparatus so that a continuous ablation lesion is achieved.

20. The system of claim 18 wherein the maneuvering apparatus is a pull wire assembly.

21. The system of claim 18 further comprising:

a fluid delivery system operatively attached to the support surface.

22. The device of claim 21 wherein the conductive element is made of a material capable of releasing fluid.

23. The system of claim 18 further comprising:

at least one fluid opening disposed adjacent the support surface;

a fluid conduit operatively attached to the fluid opening to release fluid from the opening.

24. The device of claim 23 wherein the fluid opening is located within the conductive element.

25. A method of mapping the heart, comprising:

providing a suction assisted ablation device comprising a support surface, having a first and a second face, a plurality of suction elements disposed adjacent the support surface on the first face, at least one electrode disposed adjacent the support surface on the first face and at least one suction conduit operatively connected with the suction elements;

placing the first face of the device adjacent an area of tissue;

conducting suction to the suction elements via the suction conduit;

grasping the tissue with the suction;

sending a signal through a first electrode;

receiving the signal through a second electrode; and

mapping the distance based on the signal from the first electrode to the second electrode.

26. A method of pacing a heart, comprising:

providing a suction assisted ablation device comprising a support surface, having a first and a second face, a plurality of suction elements disposed adjacent the support surface on the first face, at least one electrode disposed adjacent the support surface on the first face and at least one suction conduit operatively connected with the suction elements;

placing the first face of the device adjacent an area of tissue;

conducting suction to the suction elements via the suction conduit;

grasping the tissue with the suction;

sending electrical impulses through the electrode at regular intervals; and

pacing the heart to beat with the impulses.

27. A method of ablating tissue, comprising:

providing a suction assisted ablation device comprising a support surface, having a first and a second face, a plurality of suction elements disposed adjacent the support surface on the first face, at least one needle electrode disposed adjacent the support surface on the first face and at least one suction conduit operatively connected with the suction elements;

placing the first face of the device adjacent an area of tissue;

penetrating the tissue with the needle electrode;

conducting suction to the suction elements via the suction conduit;

grasping the tissue with the suction; and

ablating the tissue.

28. A suction assisted ablation device for creating a tissue ablation site, the device comprising:

at least one tissue contact surface;

one or more suction openings positioned along the at least one tissue contact surface;

at least one suction conduit for providing suction from a suction source to the one or more suction openings, the at least one suction conduit operatively connected with the one or more suction openings;

one or more energy transfer elements positioned along the at least one tissue contact surface;

at least one connector operatively connected with the one or more energy transfer elements for connecting the one or more energy transfer elements to an energy source; and

,

at least one sensor positioned along the at least one tissue contact surface.

29. The device of claim 28 further comprising a maneuvering apparatus operatively connected with the tissue contact surface.

30. The device of claim 29 wherein the maneuvering apparatus includes at least one pull wire.

31. The device of claim 29 wherein the maneuvering apparatus includes a handle.

32. The device of claim 31 wherein the handle comprises one or more hinges or joints.

33. The device of claim 32 wherein the one or more hinges or joints are actuated remotely.

34. The device of claim 31 wherein the handle is shapeable.

35. The device of claim 28 wherein the at least one tissue contact surface is flexible.

36. The device of claim 28 wherein the at least one tissue contact surface is shaped to conform to the tissue ablation site.

37. The device of claim 28 further comprising a suction source operatively connected to the at least one suction conduit.

38. The device of claim 37 further comprising one or more surgeon-controlled switches operatively connected to the suction source.

39. The device of claim 28 further comprising at least one irrigation fluid conduit for providing irrigation fluid from an irrigation source to the tissue ablation site.

40. The device of claim 39 wherein the irrigation fluid is an energy-conducting liquid.

41. The device of claim 39 wherein the irrigation fluid comprises one or more diagnostic or therapeutic agents.

42. The device of claim 39 wherein the sensor senses a parameter or characteristic relating to the tissue ablation site, the device further comprising means for varying irrigation fluid supplied to the irrigation conduit in response to the sensed parameter or characteristic.

43. The device of claim 42 wherein the parameter or characteristic is temperature.

44. The device of claim 50 wherein the parameter or characteristic is irrigation fluid flow.

45. The device of claim 39 further comprising an irrigation source operatively connected to the at least one irrigation fluid conduit.

46. The device of claim 45 further comprising one or more surgeon-controlled switches operatively connected to the irrigation source.

47. The device of claim 28 further comprising an energy source operatively connected to the at least one connector.

48. The device of claim 47 further comprising one or more surgeon-controlled switches operatively connected to the energy source.

49. The device of claim 28 wherein the sensor senses a parameter or characteristic of the tissue ablation site, the device further comprising means for varying energy supplied to the energy transfer elements in response to the sensed parameter or characteristic of the tissue ablation site.

50. The device of claim 49 wherein the parameter or characteristic is temperature.

51. The device of claim 49 wherein the parameter or characteristic is impedance.

52. The device of claim 28 wherein the sensor senses a parameter or characteristic of the tissue ablation site, the device further including an output device for alerting or informing a practitioner regarding the parameter or characteristic of the tissue ablation site sensed by the sensor.

53. The device of claim 28 wherein the sensor senses a parameter or characteristic relating to the tissue ablation site, the device further comprising means for varying suction communicated to the suction openings in response to the sensed parameter or characteristic.

54. The device of claim 53 wherein the parameter or characteristic is pressure.

55. The device of claim 28 further comprising a generator operatively connected to the at least one connector, the generator comprising the energy source.

56. The device of claim 55 wherein the generator includes a control unit or processor.

57. The device of claim 28 wherein the energy source is an RF energy source.

58. The device of claim 28 wherein the energy source is an electrical energy source.

59. The device of claim 28 wherein the energy source is a laser energy source.

60. The device of claim 28 wherein the energy source is a thermal energy source.

61. The device of claim 28 wherein the energy source is a microwave energy source.

62. The device of claim 28 wherein the energy source is an ultrasound energy source.