SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ADVANCING, ORIENTING, AND IMMOBILIZING ON INTERNAL BODY TISSUE A CATHETER OR OTHER THERAPEUTIC DEVICE
First Claim
1. A system for minimally invasive surgery using a therapeutic catheter comprising:
- a proximal immobilizer;
a distal immobilizer;
an actuation mechanism that allows the proximal immobilizer and the distal immobilizer to move axially with respect to each other;
a steering mechanism that allows a pointing direction of the distal immobilizer to be changed; and
a proximal immobilizer lumen passing through the proximal immobilizer and a distal immobilizer lumen passing through at least a proximal portion of the distal immobilizer, constructed an arranged to allow the catheter to pass therethrough, the catheter being slidably arranged with respect to one of the proximal immobilizer lumen and the distal immobilizer lumen being held stationary to one of the distal immobilizer lumen and the proximal immobilizer lumen, respectively.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention provides a system and method that allows a therapeutic device, such as an atrial fibrillation microwave ablation catheter or ablation tip to be guided to a remote location within a body cavity and then accurately immobilized on the tissue, including that of a moving organ, such as the heart. In various embodiments, the system and method also enables accurate movement and steering along the tissue, while in engagement therewith. Such movement and engagement entails the use of vacuum or microneedle structures on at least two interconnected and articulated immobilizers that selectively engage to and release from the tissue to allow a crawling or traversing walking across the organ as the therapeutic catheter/tool tip applies treatment (AGE devices). In further embodiments that lack a movement capability (AID devices), the immobilizers allow a predetermined position for the introduced device to be maintained against the tissue while a treatment is applied to the location adjacent thereto. In the exemplary AID devices, variety of steering mechanisms and mechanisms for exposing and anchoring a catheter against the underlying tissue can be employed. In the exemplary AGE devices, a variety of articulation and steering mechanisms, including those based upon pneumatic/hydraulic bellows, lead screws and electromagnetic actuators can be employed.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A system for minimally invasive surgery using a therapeutic catheter comprising:
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a proximal immobilizer;
a distal immobilizer;
an actuation mechanism that allows the proximal immobilizer and the distal immobilizer to move axially with respect to each other;
a steering mechanism that allows a pointing direction of the distal immobilizer to be changed; and
a proximal immobilizer lumen passing through the proximal immobilizer and a distal immobilizer lumen passing through at least a proximal portion of the distal immobilizer, constructed an arranged to allow the catheter to pass therethrough, the catheter being slidably arranged with respect to one of the proximal immobilizer lumen and the distal immobilizer lumen being held stationary to one of the distal immobilizer lumen and the proximal immobilizer lumen, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 24)
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20. A system for minimally invasive surgery comprising:
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a proximal immobilizer;
a distal immobilizer;
an actuation mechanism that allows the proximal immobilizer and the distal immobilizer to move axially with respect to each other;
a steering mechanism that allows a pointing direction of the distal immobilizer to be changed; and
a deployable surgical tool that moves from an enclosed location upon actuation by a remote control system to a deployed location to perform a surgical procedure on internal tissue. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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25. A system for treating atrial fibrillation using a microwave ablation catheter comprising:
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a flexible, elongated structure defining a top, a base, and a lumen located above the base that receives the ablation catheter therein;
an immobilization structure defined in the base that selectively applies a hold-down force to an underlying tissue; and
a central base portion facing the lumen constructed and arranged to be slid proximally so as to expose the lumen to the underlying tissue. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A system for minimally invasive surgery using a therapeutic catheter comprising:
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a proximal immobilizer;
a distal immobilizer;
an actuation mechanism that allows the proximal immobilizer and the distal immobilizer to move axially with respect to each other;
wherein the actuation mechanism comprises an electromagnetic actuator that is selectively energized with a predetermined polarity to move the proximal immobilizer toward and away from the distal immobilizer. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33)
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34. A method for performing a minimally invasive procedure for treating atrial fibrillation comprising the steps of:
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inserting a microwave catheter to a location adjacent to a heart, the catheter being supported by a structure having a proximal immobilizer and a distal immobilizer;
traversing a surface of the heart by alternately removably securing the proximal immobilizer and the distal immobilizer to the surface while the proximal immobilizer and the distal immobilizer move toward and away from each other with the catheter slidably mounted with respect to one of the proximal immobilizer and the distal immobilizer and fixedly mounted with respect to one of the distal immobilizer and the proximal immobilizer, respectively;
steering the distal immobilizer to point the distal immobilizer in a predetermined direction while traversing the surface; and
applying ablation energy from the microwave catheter at predetermined intervals as the catheter traverses the surface.
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Specification