CATHETER WITH HELICAL ELECTRODE

• US 20110144639A1
• Filed: 12/16/2009
• Published: 06/16/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biosense Webster Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Biosense Webster Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: GOVARI, ASSAF
• Granted Patent: US 8,920,415 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/41
• 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 18/1815 using microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320069 for ablating tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00011 with fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1407 Loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1435 Spiral
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1861 with an instrument inserted into a body lumen or cavity, e.g. a catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/002 Irrigation

Abstract

An invasive probe includes an insertion tube containing a lumen for providing an irrigation fluid and comprising a distal portion having a plurality of perforations therethrough providing fluid communication between the lumen and an outer surface of the insertion tube. At least one helical electrode is fitted over the distal portion of the insertion tube.

Claims

1. An invasive probe, comprising:

an insertion tube containing a lumen for providing an irrigation fluid and comprising a distal portion having a plurality of perforations therethrough providing fluid communication between the lumen and an outer surface of the insertion tube; and

at least one helical electrode fitted over the distal portion of the insertion tube.

2. The probe according to claim 1, and comprising one or more wires that pass through the tube and are electrically coupled to the at least one helical electrode.

3. The probe according to claim 1, wherein the at least one helical electrode covers some of the perforations.

4. The probe according to claim 1, wherein the at least one helical electrode comprises multiple helical electrodes, which are distributed along the distal portion.

5. The probe according to claim 1, wherein the insertion tube is configured for insertion through a blood vessel into a chamber of a heart of a subject, so as to bring the at least one helical electrode into contact with endocardial tissue in the heart.

6. The probe according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of the perforations comprises at least eight perforations.

7. The probe according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of the perforations comprises at least fifty perforations.

8. The probe according to claim 1, wherein the perforations have a diameter less than 0.5 mm.

9. The probe according to claim 8, wherein the perforations have a diameter less than 0.2 mm.

10. The probe according to claim 1, wherein the perforations have respective sizes that vary depending on respective longitudinal locations of the perforations.

11. The probe according to claim 1, wherein the at least one helical electrode comprises a wire coil helically wound about the distal portion of the insertion tube.

12. The probe according to claim 1, wherein the at least one helical electrode comprises a tube cut out along a spiral pattern.

13. Medical apparatus, comprising:

a probe, for insertion into a body of a subject, the probe comprising;

an insertion tube containing a lumen and comprising a distal portion having a plurality of perforations therethrough providing fluid communication between the lumen and an outer surface of the insertion tube; and

at least one helical electrode fitted over the distal portion of the insertion tube and configured to contact tissue in the body;

an energy generator, for coupling to the probe so as to supply electrical energy to the at least one helical electrode; and

an irrigation pump, for coupling to the lumen so as to supply an irrigation fluid via the lumen and the perforations to the tissue.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the energy generator is coupled to supply electrical energy to the at least one helical electrode in order to ablate the tissue.

15. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the probe is configured for insertion through a blood vessel into a heart of the subject for ablation of myocardial tissue in the heart.

16. A method for treatment, comprising:

inserting a probe into a body of a subject, the probe comprising;

an insertion tube containing a lumen and comprising a distal portion having a plurality of perforations therethrough providing fluid communication between the lumen and an outer surface of the insertion tube; and

at least one helical electrode fitted over the distal portion of the insertion tube;

bringing the at least one helical electrode into contact with tissue in the body;

applying electrical energy through the at least one helical electrode to the tissue; and

supplying an irrigation fluid via the lumen and the perforations to the tissue.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein inserting the probe comprises passing the probe through a blood vessel into a heart of the subject, and wherein applying the electrical energy comprises ablating myocardial tissue in the heart.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein supplying the fluid comprises cooling the distal portion and the tissue.

19. A method for producing a medical device, comprising:

creating a plurality of perforations through an outer surface of a distal portion of an insertion tube containing a lumen so as to provide fluid communication between the lumen and an outer surface of the insertion tube;

sliding at least one helical electrode, comprising a conductive material, over the distal portion of the insertion tube; and

affixing the at least one helical electrode to the outer surface of the distal portion of the insertion tube.

20. The method according to claim 19, and comprising passing one or more wires through the tube and electrically coupling the wires to the at least one helical electrode.

21. The method according to claim 19, wherein the at least one helical electrode covers some of the perforations.

22. The method according to claim 19, wherein sliding the at least one helical electrode comprises positioning multiple helical electrodes along the distal portion.