Loop Ablation Apparatus and Method
First Claim
1. An ablation apparatus for ablating target tissue adjacent pulmonary veins of a patient, the ablation apparatus comprising:
- a tube capable of being advanced around the pulmonary veins to form a loop, the loop including distal ends and proximal ends; and
at least two carrier elements carrying at least two bipolar electrodes,the at least two carrier elements being advanced through the distal ends toward the proximal ends of the loop and toward the target tissue,the proximal ends of the loop being moved toward one another,the at least two carrier elements being rotated so that the loop rolls substantially off of the pulmonary veins onto the target tissue, andthe at least two bipolar electrodes receiving energy to ablate the target tissue.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the invention provide an ablation apparatus for ablating target tissue adjacent pulmonary veins of a patient. The ablation apparatus can include a tube capable of being advanced around the pulmonary veins to form a loop. The tube can receive or include electrodes to ablate target tissue. Some embodiments provide a loop ablation device, which may include a cannula and two or more electrode rods carrying two or more bipolar electrodes. The electrode rods can be advanced through the distal ends toward the proximal ends of the loop and toward the target tissue. The bipolar electrodes can receive energy to ablate the target tissue. The bipolar electrodes may be surrounded by the liquid within the cannula while ablating the target tissue. The loop ablation device can further include a rotating grasping mechanism coupled to the electrode rods.
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Citations
56 Claims
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1. An ablation apparatus for ablating target tissue adjacent pulmonary veins of a patient, the ablation apparatus comprising:
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a tube capable of being advanced around the pulmonary veins to form a loop, the loop including distal ends and proximal ends; and at least two carrier elements carrying at least two bipolar electrodes, the at least two carrier elements being advanced through the distal ends toward the proximal ends of the loop and toward the target tissue, the proximal ends of the loop being moved toward one another, the at least two carrier elements being rotated so that the loop rolls substantially off of the pulmonary veins onto the target tissue, and the at least two bipolar electrodes receiving energy to ablate the target tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of ablating target tissue of the left atrium of a patient, the patient having a superior vena cava, an inferior vena cava, a transverse sinus, an oblique sinus, a pericardium, left pulmonary veins, and right pulmonary veins, the method comprising:
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performing a right thoracotomy; providing a tube constructed of a porous and flexible material; inserting the tube through the right thoracotomy under the superior vena cava into the transverse sinus of the pericardium until the tube loops around the left pulmonary veins; visualizing the tube through the oblique sinus; and pulling the tube until it extends below the inferior vena cava. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. An ablation apparatus for ablating target tissue adjacent pulmonary veins of a patient, the ablation apparatus comprising:
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an arm including articulating segments and a conduit including at least one electrode, the articulating segments having at least one length; an insertion tool coupled to the arm; and a knob coupled to the insertion tool, the knob being rotatable in order to lock the articulating segments in an ablating position, the at least one electrode receiving energy to ablate the target tissue adjacent the articulating segments in the ablating position. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31)
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32. A method of ablating target tissue adjacent pulmonary veins of a patient, the method comprising:
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attaching a conductive loop electrode tubing to the target tissue on an ablation path; advancing a power and guide wire along the conductive loop electrode tubing, the power and guide wire being sheathed by a substantially low friction material; and transmitting power to the power and guide wire to ablate the target tissue along the ablation path.
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33. An ablation apparatus for ablating target tissue adjacent pulmonary veins of a patient, the ablation apparatus comprising:
an arm capable of being advanced around the pulmonary veins, the arm including at least one electrode and at least one tube, one of the at least one tubes receiving the at least one electrode, one of the at least one tubes receiving and providing a liquid to the target tissue, and the at least one electrode receiving energy to ablate the target tissue. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
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53. An ablation apparatus for ablating target tissue adjacent pulmonary veins of a patient, the ablation apparatus comprising:
an arm capable of being advanced around the pulmonary veins, the arm including at least one electrode and at least one tube, one of the at least one tubes receiving the at least one electrode, one of the at least one tubes receiving at least one light marker to aid in positioning of the at least one electrode, and the at least one electrode receiving energy to ablate the target tissue. - View Dependent Claims (54, 55)
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56-65. -65. (canceled)
Specification