Ablation device and system for guiding ablation device into body

• US 20070208336A1
• Filed: 01/26/2007
• Published: 09/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Kim, David, Skarda, James, Podbelski, Adam, Daigle, Thomas, Dickerson, Darrin, Bilitz, Mark
• Application Number:
  US11/698,801
• Publication Number:
  US 20070208336A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/41
• 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 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2944 Translation of jaw members
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2945 Curved jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00363 Epicardium
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1432 curved

Abstract

A device for ablating tissue at a desired location in a body, the device comprising: a pair of floating jaws moveable between a spaced apart open position and a closed position, the pair of jaws comprising at least one ablating element for ablating tissue located between the jaws; a handle comprising controls for remotely controlling the movement of the jaws and the at least one ablative element; and a flexible neck connecting the jaws and handle, wherein the neck is flexible so as to permit the jaws to be maneuverable in the body with respect to the handle. A system for guiding an ablation device to a desired location in a body.

Claims

1. A device for ablating tissue at a desired location in a body, the device comprising:

a pair of floating jaws moveable between a spaced apart open position and a closed position, the pair of jaws comprising at least one ablating element for ablating tissue located between the jaws;

a handle comprising controls for remotely controlling the movement of the jaws and the at least one ablative element; and

a flexible neck connecting the jaws and handle, wherein the neck is flexible so as to permit the jaws to be maneuverable in the body with respect to the handle.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the open position of the jaws is scissor-like in configuration and the closed position is parallel in configuration.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the ablating element comprises a fluid assisted electrode assembly.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the controls of the handle comprise a lever that when moved causes the jaws to move between the open position and the closed position.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the controls for the at least one ablating element comprise a trigger that activates an ablative power source.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the controls of the handle comprise a lock for locking the jaws in the closed position.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the controls of the handle comprise an overdrive mechanism for limiting closure of the jaws.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the overdrive mechanism comprises a clutch assembly.

9. A device for ablating tissue, the device comprising:

a pair of floating jaws moveable between a spaced apart open position and a closed position, the pair of jaws comprising at least one ablating element for ablating tissue located between the jaws, wherein the open position of the jaws is scissor-like in configuration and the closed position is parallel in configuration;

a handle comprising controls for remotely controlling the movement of the jaws and the at least one ablative element; and

a neck connecting the jaws and handle.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the neck is flexible so as to permit the jaws to be maneuverable in the body with respect to the handle.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the ablating element comprises a fluid assisted electrode assembly.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein the controls of the handle comprise a lever that when moved causes the jaws to move between the open position and the closed position.

13. The device of claim 9, wherein the controls for the at least one ablating element comprise a trigger that activates an ablative power source.

14. The device of claim 9, wherein the controls of the handle comprise a lock for locking the jaws in the closed position.

15. The device of claim 9, wherein the controls of the handle comprise an overdrive mechanism for limiting closure of the jaws.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the overdrive mechanism comprises a clutch assembly.

17. A system for guiding an ablation device to a desired location in a body, the system comprising:

an ablation device having a pair of jaws comprising at least one ablating element for ablating tissue located between the jaws; and

means for guiding the ablation device to the desired location that may be attached and reattached to the ablation device.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the ablation device comprises:

a pair of floating jaws moveable between a spaced apart open position and a closed position, the pair of jaws comprising at least one ablating element for ablating tissue located between the jaws;

a handle comprising controls for remotely controlling the movement of the jaws and the at least one ablative element; and

a flexible neck connecting the jaws and handle, wherein the neck is flexible so as to permit the jaws to be maneuverable in the body with respect to the handle.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the means for guiding the ablation device comprises at least one guide member, the guide member comprising a tube connected to an attachment means that cooperates with an attachment means on the jaws of the ablation device.