Dual steer preshaped catheter

• US 20040147827A1
• Filed: 01/27/2003
• Published: 07/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Bowe, Wade
• Granted Patent: US 7,013,169 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/374
• 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 2018/00375 Ostium, e.g. ostium of pulmonary vein or artery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00839 Bioelectrical parameters, e.g. ECG, EEG
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1407 Loop

Abstract

An electrophysiology catheter includes a flexible shaft with one or more electrodes disposed at a distal end having a preformed curve. A first steering apparatus allows altering a curvature of the distal end and a second steering apparatus allows steering of the distal end without significantly altering the curvature of the distal end. The first and second steering apparatuses are used for maneuvering the catheter and providing positive contact between the distal end and the tissue targeted for treatment.

Claims

1. A catheter adapted for electrophysiological therapy, comprising:

a flexible shaft comprising;

a preformed curve provided at a distal end of the flexible shaft;

one or more electrodes disposed along the distal end of the flexible shaft; and

a shape deflection area defined as a region on the flexible shaft between the preformed curve and a generally straight proximal portion of the flexible shaft;

a first anchor member attached to a distal portion of the preformed curve;

a second anchor member attached to the flexible shaft distal to the shape deflection area of the flexible shaft; and

first and second steering tendons coupled to the first and second anchor members, respectively, a force applied to a proximal end of the first steering tendon causing a change in a curvature of the preformed curve and a force applied to a proximal end of the second steering tendon causing a movement of the distal end relative to the proximal portion of the flexible shaft.

2. The catheter of claim 1, further comprising a stylet disposed within the distal end of the flexible shaft, the stylet imparting a shape to the preformed curve.

3. The catheter of claim 2, wherein the stylet comprises a resilient and shape retentive member.

4. The catheter of claim 2, wherein the stylet comprises a nitinol wire.

5. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the preformed curve comprises a circular loop.

6. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the one or more electrodes comprise a plurality of band electrodes.

7. A method of providing electrophysiological therapy to heart tissue, comprising:

introducing a catheter adapted for electrophysiology into a heart chamber;

maneuvering the catheter so that a distal end of the catheter is proximate the heart tissue;

actuating a first steering apparatus of the catheter to change a curvature of the distal end of the catheter; and

actuating a second steering apparatus of the catheter to change an orientation of the distal end relative to a proximal portion of the catheter, wherein actuating either of the first and second steering apparatuses causes the distal end of the catheter to conform to a contour of the heart tissue.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein introducing the catheter comprises introducing a guide member into the heart chamber and advancing the catheter along the guide member.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the guide member comprises an introducer sheath.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the guide member comprises a guide catheter.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein introducing the guide catheter into the heart chamber comprises actuating a steering apparatus of the guide catheter to steer a distal tip of the guide catheter.

12. The method of claim 7, further comprising delivering an electrical current to the heart tissue from the distal end of the catheter.

13. The method of claim 7, further comprising measuring an electrical signal from the heart tissue at the distal end of the catheter.

14. The method of claim 7, wherein actuating the first steering apparatus of the catheter comprises applying a force to a first steering tendon of the catheter.

15. The method of claim 7, wherein actuating the second steering apparatus of the catheter comprises applying a force to a second steering tendon of the catheter.

16. A catheter adapted for electrophysiological therapy, comprising:

a flexible shaft comprising;

a preformed curve provided at a distal end of the flexible shaft,

an electrical energy delivery means disposed along the distal end of the flexible shaft; and

a shape deflection area defined as a region on the shaft between the preformed curve and a generally straight proximal portion of the flexible shaft;

a first steering means for changing a curvature of the preformed curve of the flexible shaft; and

a second steering means for changing an orientation of the distal end of the flexible shaft about the shape deflection area without substantially changing the curvature of the preformed curve of the flexible shaft.

17. The catheter of claim 16, further comprising a shape retentive means disposed within the distal end of the flexible shaft for shaping the preformed curve.

18. The catheter of claim 17, wherein the shape retentive means comprises a nitinol wire.

19. The catheter of claim 16, wherein the preformed curve comprises a circular loop.

20. The catheter of claim 16, wherein the electrical energy delivery means comprises one or more electrodes.

21. The catheter of claim 20, wherein the one or more electrodes comprise a plurality of band electrodes.

22. The catheter of claim 16, wherein the first steering means comprises a steering tendon attached to an anchor member provided at a distal portion of the preformed curve.

23. The catheter of claim 16, wherein the second steering means comprises a steering tendon attached to an anchor member distal to the shape deflection area of the flexible shaft.