TISSUE ABLATION SYSTEM INCLUDING GUIDEWIRE WITH SENSING ELEMENT

• US 20080312643A1
• Filed: 08/27/2008
• Published: 12/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: CryoCath Technologies Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: CryoCath Technologies Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: CARROLL, Sean, KANIA, Wlodzimierz, LANE, Miriam, SKANES, Allan
• Application Number:
  US12/199,255
• Publication Number:
  US 20080312643A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/21
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/02 by cooling, e.g. cryogenic techniques devices for cooling specific reflex points of the body within cell-life limits A61H39/06
• 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 18/18 by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves radiation therapy A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00026 Conductivity or impedance, e.g. of tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00044 Sensing electrocardiography, i.e. ECG
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00292 mounted on or guided by flexible, e.g. catheter-like, means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00214 Expandable means emitting energy, e.g. by elements carried thereon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0212 using an instrument inserted into a body lumen, e.g. catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1407 Loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6851 Guide wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6856 with a distal loop

Abstract

A tissue ablation system for ablating tissue is presented having independent sensing and ablation capabilities. A sensing wire is positioned distally to the ablation region and passed through the ablation device allowing independent movement. The ablation device can ablate a substantial portion of a circumferential region of tissue. The tissue ablation system comprises an ablation device comprised of an elongated catheter with a proximal region and a distal region and an ablation element located proximate the distal region of the catheter. A sensing device having an elongated body with a proximal portion and a distal portion is adapted to be positioned within a vessel at or near a vessel ostium, wherein the sensing device is adapted to be slidably received within a lumen of the ablation device. The sensing device may be shaped in various configurations.

Claims

1. A method of treating tissue, comprising:

positioning a treatment device proximate tissue to be treated;

slidably positioning a sensing device with respect to the treatment device; and

detecting an electrical activity of the tissue with the sensing device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising cooling the tissue with the treatment device.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising ablating the tissue with the treatment device.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein ablating the tissue is achieved at least in part by circulating a cryogenic fluid through the treatment device.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein ablating the tissue is achieved at least in part by transmitting radiofrequency energy from the treatment device.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein ablating the tissue is achieved at least in part by transmitting ultrasonic energy from the treatment device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein positioning the treatment device includes inflating a balloon on the treatment device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein positioning the treatment device includes engaging a circumferential portion of the tissue with a portion of the treatment device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein positioning the treatment device includes inserting at least a portion of the treatment device into a blood vessel.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the tissue to be treated is cardiac tissue.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein slidably positioning the sensing device includes slidably moving at least a portion of the sensing device through a lumen within the treatment device.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising repositioning the treatment device based at least in part on the detected electrical activity.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising transitioning the sensing device from a substantially straightened configuration to a substantially circumferential configuration.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising transitioning the sensing device from a substantially straightened configuration to a substantially coiled configuration.

15. A method of treating tissue, comprising:

positioning a treatment device proximate cardiac tissue to be treated;

slidably positioning a sensing device through at least a portion of the treatment device;

detecting an electrical activity of the tissue with the sensing device; and

ablating the cardiac tissue with the treatment device.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising cooling the cardiac tissue with the treatment device prior to ablating the cardiac tissue.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein ablating the tissue is achieved at least in part by circulating a cryogenic fluid through the treatment device.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein treatment device is a balloon catheter.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein positioning the treatment device includes engaging a circumferential portion of the tissue with a portion of the treatment device.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising transitioning the sensing device from a substantially straightened configuration to a substantially circumferential configuration.

21. A method of treating tissue, comprising:

positioning a balloon catheter proximate cardiac tissue to be treated;

slidably positioning a sensing device through at least a portion of the catheter;

transitioning the sensing device from a substantially straightened configuration to a substantially circumferential configuration;

detecting an electrical activity of the tissue with the sensing device; and

ablating the cardiac tissue with the treatment device.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein ablating the tissue is achieved at least in part by circulating a cryogenic fluid through the balloon catheter.