TRIPLE BALLOON CATHETER

• US 20110184400A1
• Filed: 01/28/2010
• Published: 07/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic CryoCath LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic CryoCath LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Pageard, Jean-Luc
• Granted Patent: US 8,926,602 B2
• 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 2018/0022 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00255 arranged one inside another
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00261 arranged in a line
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00285 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00375 Ostium, e.g. ostium of pulmonary vein or artery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0212 using an instrument inserted into a body lumen, e.g. catheter

Abstract

The present invention advantageously provides a method and system for cryogenically ablating large areas of tissue within the left atrium. In an exemplary embodiment a cryotherapy device includes a catheter body, a proximal end and a distal end; a first lumen; a second lumen; and an ablation element expandable from a first diameter to a second diameter, the ablation element having a surface portion that conforms to the uneven surface topography of the cardiac tissue. The ablation element can include one or more deformable balloon and/or flexible elements. The surface of the balloon can further be shaped by regulation of pressure within the one or more balloons. In an exemplary method, a tissue ablation device is provided and tissue in the left atrium is ablated with the device, whereby the ablation is created by freezing tissue.

Claims

1. A cryogenic device, comprising:

a first substantially non-compliant balloon;

a second substantially compliant balloon positioned distal to the first balloon; and

a third substantially compliant balloon surrounding the first and second balloons.

2. The cryogenic device of claim 1, wherein the first balloon is constructed from at least one of polyethylene terephthalate or nylon.

3. The cryogenic device of claim 2, wherein the second balloon is constructed from at least one of polyurethane and latex.

4. The cryogenic device of claim 1, wherein the first and second balloons are expandable independently of one another.

5. The cryogenic device of claim 4, wherein the first and second balloons are not in fluid communication with each other.

6. The cryogenic device of claim 1, further comprising a cryogenic fluid supply in fluid communication with the first balloon.

7. The cryogenic device of claim 6, further comprising a non-cryogenic fluid in fluid communication with the second balloon.

8. The cryogenic device of claim 1, further comprising:

an interstitial region defined between the third balloon and at least one of the first and second balloons; and

a vacuum source in fluid communication with the interstitial region.

9. A medical system, comprising:

a flexible catheter body;

a first balloon disposed on the catheter body;

a second balloon disposed distally of the first balloon, wherein the second balloon is more readily deformable than the first balloon; and

a third balloon substantially enclosing the first and second balloons to the define an interstitial region therebetween.

10. The medical system of claim 9, wherein the first balloon has an elastic modulus between approximately 2700 MPa and approximately 4250 MPa.

11. The medical system of claim 10, wherein the second balloon has an elastic modulus between approximately 50 MPa and approximately 600 MPa.

12. The medical system of claim 9, further comprising a first fluid source in fluid communication with the first balloon, and a second fluid source in fluid communication with the second balloon.

13. The medical system of claim 12, wherein the first fluid source is a cryogenic coolant.

14. The medical system of claim 9, further comprising vacuum source in fluid communication with the interstitial region.

15. A method for treating cardiac tissue, comprising:

positioning a medical device proximate an ostium such that a first balloon of the medical device abuts cardiac tissue proximate to the ostium and at least a portion of a second balloon located distal to the first balloon is positioned within the ostium, wherein the first and second balloons are substantially enveloped within a third balloon;

expanding the second balloon to substantially occlude the ostium; and

ablating cardiac tissue with at least one of the first and second balloons.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein expanding the second balloon includes partially inflating the second balloon to less than half of its maximum diameter.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the first balloon defines an elastic modulus at least five times greater than an elastic modulus defined by the second balloon.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein ablating cardiac tissue includes delivering a cryogenic coolant to the first balloon.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein expanding the second balloon includes delivering a non-cryogenic fluid to the second balloon.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein an interstitial region is defined between the third balloon and at least one of the first and second balloons, further comprising drawing a vacuum on the interstitial region.