Transmural ablation device with EKG sensor and pacing electrode

• US 20030018329A1
• Filed: 05/31/2002
• Published: 01/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Atricure, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Atricure, Inc.
• Inventors: Hooven, Michael D.
• Granted Patent: US 6,905,498 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1445 at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00026 Conductivity or impedance, e.g. of tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2945 Curved jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00363 Epicardium
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00642 with feedback, i.e. closed loop control
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00755 Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00875 Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1432 curved
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/145 wherein the effectors remain parallel during closing and opening

Abstract

An apparatus for transmural ablation using an instrument containing two electrodes. The electrodes extend along the surfaces of mating jaw members which are moveable between open and clamped positions. The electrodes are connected to an RF energy source so that, when activated, they are of opposite polarity. An EKG sensor is located on one of the jaw members and spaced from the electrode so that, when the electrodes are activated to form a line of ablation, the EKG sensor contacts the tissue outside the line of ablation. A pacing electrode is located on one of the jaw members so as to be on the opposite side of the line of ablation from the EKG sensor. Thus, if the line of ablation is not transmural, the EKG sensor will be able to detect signals generated by the pacing electrode.

Claims

1. A device for clamping and ablating tissue comprising:

a first handle member;

a second handle member;

first and second mating jaw members associated with the first and second handle members, respectively, the jaw members being movable by the handle members between a first open position and a second clamped position, the jaw members having opposed mating surfaces;

a first elongated electrode having first and second ends and extending along the first jaw member;

a second elongated electrode having first and second ends and extending along the second jaw member;

the first and second electrodes being adapted to be connected to an RF energy source so that, when activated, the first and second electrodes are of opposite polarity; and

an EKG sensor located on one of the first and second jaw members intermediate the first and second ends of the electrode and spaced therefrom so that when the electrodes are activated to create a line of ablation in the tissue, the EKG sensor contacts the tissue outside the line of ablation.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a pacing electrode located on the one of the first and second jaw members intermediate the first and second ends of the electrode and on the opposite side of the line of ablation from the EKG sensor, so that if the ablation is not complete the EKG sensor can detect signals generated by the pacing electrode.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the EKG sensor and the pacing electrode are located on the same jaw member.

4. A tissue grasping apparatus comprising:

first and second grasping jaws, the grasping jaws being relatively moveable between open and closed positions;

each jaw including an elongated electrode having a first and second end and a clamping surface in face-to-face relation with the electrode and clamping surface of the other jaw;

the face-to-face electrodes being of opposite polarity and connectible to a power source for providing an electrical current between the electrodes, whereby when tissue is grasped between said clamping surfaces, the electrodes are substantially entirely contacted by the tissue; and

an EKG sensor located on one of the first and second jaw members intermediate the first and second ends of the electrode and spaced therefrom so that when the electrodes are activated to create a line ablation in the tissue, the EKG sensor contacts the tissue outside the line of ablation.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a pacing electrode located on the one of the first and second jaw members intermediate the first and second ends of the electrode and on the opposite side of the line of ablation from the EKG sensor, so that if the ablation is not complete the EKG sensor can detect signals generated by the pacing electrode.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the EKG sensor and the pacing electrode are located on the same jaw member.