Tissue ablation system with a sliding ablating device and method

• US 20030163128A1
• Filed: 01/21/2003
• Published: 08/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Maquet Cardiovascular LLC (Getinge AB)
• Original Assignee: AFX, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Patil, Nitin A., Akkad, Manoj, Mody, Dinesh I., Berube, Dany, Chin, Sing Fatt, Norris, Nancy
• Application Number:
  US10/348,256
• Publication Number:
  US 20030163128A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/41
• 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 18/18 by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves radiation therapy A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1815 using microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/20 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/24 with a catheter A61B18/26, A61B18/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00375 Ostium, e.g. ostium of pulmonary vein or artery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00839 Bioelectrical parameters, e.g. ECG, EEG
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1407 Loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0538 invasively, e.g. using a catheter

Abstract

A system and method for ablating a selected portion of a contact surface of biological tissue is provided. The system includes an elongated ablation sheath having a preformed shape adapted to substantially conform a predetermined surface thereof with the contact surface of the tissue. The elongated ablation sheath includes a non-permeable portion. The ablation sheath defines an ablation lumen sized to slideably receive an elongated ablative device longitudinally therethrough. The ablative device includes a flexible ablation element selectively generating an ablative field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation. Advancement of the ablation element slideably through the ablation lumen of the ablation sheath selectively places the ablation element along the ablation path for guide ablation on the contact surface when the predetermined surface is in strategic contact therewith. The ablation lumen and the ablative device cooperate to position the ablation element proximate to the ablation sheath predetermined surface for selective ablation of the selected portion within the ablative field.

Claims

1. An ablation system having a non-permeable portion, comprising:

a handle portion having proximal and distal ends;

a flexible elongated tubular member having at least one lumen therethrough operably attached to the distal end of the handle portion, the flexible elongated tubular member constructed from a porous material;

an energy delivery device comprising at least one ablative element, the energy delivery device operably attached to the handle portion and adapted to translate within a first of the at least one lumen of the tubular member;

an ablative energy source operably attached to the at least one ablative element; and

a filler material disposed along at least one portion of the tubular member defining an initial adaptation point,

wherein the flexible elongated tubular member is non-permeable to fluids at the adaptation point.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the initial adaptation point includes the length of the flexible tubular member along which the energy delivery device translates.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the initial adaptation point includes the entire length of the flexible tubular member.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the porous material is expanded PTFE.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the filler material is an elastomer.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the filler material is silicone.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the at least one ablative element is adapted to transmit electromagnetic energy and the filler material is transparent to the transmitted electromagnetic energy.

8. The system of claim 2, wherein the filler material is flexible whereby the flexible nature of the tubular member at the initial adaptation point is retained.

9. The system of claim 2, wherein the filler material is not flexible whereby the overall flexibility of the tubular member at the adaptation point is reduced.

10. The system of claim 2, wherein the filler material is rigid, whereby the overall flexibility of the tubular member at the adaptation point is substantially reduced.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the filler material is deposited at one or more portions of the tubular member, each defining a separate adaptation point.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the filler material used at each adaptation point is flexible, whereby the overall flexibility of the tubular member remains flexible.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the filler material used at each adaptation point is predetermined such that the amount of flexibility of the tubular member along its longitudinal length is controlled.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the flexible tubular member corresponding to one or more adaptation points remains flexible.