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Method and device for performing cooling- or cryo-therapies for, e.g., angioplasty with reduced restenosis or pulmonary vein cell necrosis to inhibit atrial fibrillation employing tissue protection

  • US 20050228368A1
  • Filed: 06/13/2005
  • Published: 10/13/2005
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1998
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of treating atrial fibrillation while preventing tissue damage to the atrial septum, comprising:

  • inserting a trocar wire capable of rupturing the atrial septum from the femoral vein into the right atrium;

    forming a hole using the trocar wire in the atrial septum between the right atrium and the left atrium;

    inserting an introducer sheath into the hole, the introducer sheath at least partially contacting the atrial septum;

    inserting a guide wire through the introducer sheath into the right atrium and left atrium and further into a pulmonary vein;

    disposing an ablation catheter over the guidewire into a volume defined by the joint of the left atrium and the pulmonary vein;

    flowing a cryofluid into a balloon disposed within the ablation catheter to ablate tissue adjacent the joint of the left atrium and the pulmonary vein; and

    operating and controlling a heater disposed adjacent or within the introducer sheath, the heater thermally coupled to the atrial septum.

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