Devices, systems and methods for treating tissue regions of the body

• US 20040153058A1
• Filed: 01/20/2004
• Published: 08/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mederi Rf, LLC
• Original Assignee: Curon Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Gaiser, John W., West, Scott H., Huyhn, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,179,257 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/04 by heating by applying electromagnetic radiation A61B18/18; hyperthermia using electric or magnetic fields, radiation or ultrasound A61N
• 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 2018/00029 open
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00214 Expandable means emitting energy, e.g. by elements carried thereon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00267 having a basket shaped structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00797 measured by multiple temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00821 measured by a thermocouple
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1425 Needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1475 Electrodes retractable in or deployable from a housing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0037 characterized by lumina being arranged side-by-side
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0096 being laterally outward extensions or tools, e.g. hooks or fibres

Abstract

Improved devices, systems and methods for treating a tissue region provide straightforward, yet reliable ways for installing diverse functional components within the confined space of a catheter-based instrument.

Claims

1. A catheter assembly comprising

a catheter tube,

an operative element carried at one end of the catheter tube, the operative element including at least two fluid-conveying ports,

a manifold body carried within the catheter tube, the manifold body including a single main fluid junction coupled to a fluid source or a fluid destination external to the catheter tube, multiple branch fluid junctions each individually coupled to one of the fluid-conveying ports on the operative element, and a fluid circuit formed within the manifold body to channel fluid between the single main fluid junction and the multiple branch fluid junctions.

2. An assembly according to claim 1

wherein the operative element carries at least one electrode.

3. An assembly according to claim 1

wherein the fluid-conveying ports convey irrigation fluid from an external source for contact with a tissue region through the manifold.

4. An assembly according to claim 1

wherein the fluid-conveying ports convey fluid from a tissue region to an external designation through the manifold.

5. An assembly according to claim 1

wherein the manifold comprises a single molded body sized for placement within the catheter tube.

6. A method of handling fluid flow to or from an operative element carried by a catheter tube comprising the steps of

providing a manifold body sized to fit within the catheter tube, the manifold body including a single main fluid junction, multiple branch fluid junctions, and a fluid circuit formed within the manifold body to channel fluid flow between the single main fluid junction and the multiple branch fluid junctions,

coupling the single main fluid junction to a fluid source or a fluid destination external to the catheter tube,

coupling each of the multiple branch fluid junctions individually to a fluid-conveying port on the operative element, and

mounting the manifold within the catheter tube.