Variable length electrodes for delivery of irrigated ablation

• US 20030036789A1
• Filed: 10/10/2002
• Published: 02/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David Francischelli, Jon M. Ocel, Michael F. Hoey, Paul V. Trescony, Rahul Mehra, Richard H. Comben, Robert Pearson, Scott E. Jahns
• Original Assignee: David Francischelli, Jon M. Ocel, Michael F. Hoey, Paul V. Trescony, Rahul Mehra, Richard H. Comben, Robert Pearson, Scott E. Jahns
• Inventors: Jahns, Scott E., Ocel, Jon M., Mehra, Rahul, Francischelli, David E., Hoey, Michael F., Pearson, Robert, Trescony, Paul V., Comben, Richard H.
• Granted Patent: US 6,916,318 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/122
• 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 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 2018/00351 Heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1435 Spiral
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1472 for use with liquid electrolyte, e.g. virtual electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/002 Irrigation

Abstract

A device for ablating tissue is provided. The device comprises a conductive element with a channel for irrigating fluid formed therein, which is in contact with a non-conductive microporous interface. All or a portion of the interface may be removable. When the interface is removed, a portion of the conductive element is exposed for use in ablating tissue. Methods of using the device and of removing the interface are also provided.

Claims

1. A device for ablating organic tissue, comprising:

a conductive element;

a fluid component in communication with the conductive element; and

an interface positioned adjacent the tissue to allow the fluid to pass through the interface and contact the tissue.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the conductive element is a metallic coil with a lumen.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the conductive element is a spring with a lumen.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the conductive element has a conductive element diameter and the interface has an interface diameter, the conductive element diameter being greater than the interface diameter.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the interface has a length, the length being variable.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the interface is micro-porous.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein a portion of the interface may be removed to expose the conductive element.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the interface is perforated.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein the interface may be rotatably opened.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the interface comprises openings that may be slidably opened.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the interface is non-conductive.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the interface is from the group consisting of:

silicones, PTFE, Dacron fabrics, solvent-precipitated polyurethane micro-porous polymeric coatings, stainless steel nitinol, machining rod stock, polyester fabrics, hydrogels and a gel.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the interface lies between the conductive element and the surface of the tissue.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the interface encircles the conductive element and the fluid component.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the interface is conductive.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the interface and the conductive element are the same.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein the conductive element is a wire, the wire located within the fluid component.

18. The device of claim 16, wherein the fluid component is a non-porous coating.

19. The device of claim 16, wherein the interface is a micro-porous section of the non-porous coating.

20. The device of claim 16, wherein the interface is a rigid structure.

21. The device of claim 16, wherein the interface is a fluid saturated gel.

22. The device of claim 20, wherein the interface and the fluid component are the same.

23. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

means for flowing the fluid component through the interface.

24. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

an infusion pump in communication with the fluid component for flowing the fluid component through the interface.

25. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a maneuvering mechanism operably attached to the conductive element.

26. The device of claim 25, wherein the maneuvering mechanism is a hemostat-type tool.

27. The device of claim 25, wherein the maneuvering mechanism is a catheter.

28. A device for ablating organic tissue comprising:

a conductive element; and

a hemostat-type tool, wherein the conductive element is placed adjacent at least one jaw of the tool.

29. The device of claim 28, wherein the conductive element is a metallic coil with a lumen.

30. The device of claim 28, wherein the conductive element is a spring with a lumen.

31. A device for creating ablations of variable length, comprising:

a conductive element having a channel formed therein;

the channel operatively adapted to receive irrigating fluid; and

a removable non-conductive interface in communication with the conductive element.

32. The device of claim 31 further comprising:

a support element in communication with the conductive element.

33. The device of claim 31, wherein the support element is a slotted tube.

34. The device of claim 31, wherein the conductive element is a slotted tube.

35. The device of claim 31 further comprising:

a maneuvering mechanism operably attached to the conductive element.

36. The device of claim 31, wherein the maneuvering mechanism is a hemostat-type tool.

37. The device of claim 31, wherein the maneuvering mechanism is a catheter.

38. A device for creating ablations of variable length, comprising:

a non-porous tube operatively adapted to receive irrigating fluid therein;

conductive element in communication with the tube; and

a removable non-conductive interface in communication with the conductive element.

39. The device of claim 38, wherein the non-conductive interface is a portion of the non-porous tube.

40. The device of claim 39, wherein the non-conductive interface is micro-porous.

41. The device of claim 38, wherein the non-conductive interface is rigid.

42. The device of claim 38 further comprising:

a maneuvering mechanism operably attached to the conductive element.

43. The device of claim 38, wherein the maneuvering mechanism is a hemostat-type tool.

44. The device of claim 38, wherein the maneuvering mechanism is a catheter.

45. A device for creating ablations of variable length, comprising:

a non-porous tube operatively adapted to receive a hydrogel;

a conductive element in communication with the tube; and

a removable non-conductive interface in communication with the conductive element.

46. The device of claim 45, wherein the tube is slotted.

47. The device of claim 45 further comprising:

a maneuvering mechanism operably attached to the conductive element.

48. The device of claim 47, wherein the maneuvering mechanism is a hemostat-type tool.

49. The device of claim 47, wherein the maneuvering mechanism is a catheter.

50. A method of ablating organic tissue, comprising:

providing a conductive element having a channel formed therein, the channel operatively adapted to receive irrigating fluid; and

a removable non-conductive interface in communication with the conductive element;

removing a portion of the interface to expose a portion of the conductive element; and

ablating the tissue with the exposed portion of the conductive element.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein the interface is perforated.

52. The method of claim 50, wherein the interface is disposable.

53. The method of claim 50, wherein the interface is reusable.

54. The method of claim 50, wherein the interface is a removable tip.