DEFLECTABLE SHEATH CATHETERS
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides devices and methods for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. In one embodiment a deflectable sheath catheter includes an elongate catheter body having proximal and distal ends, the distal end having a distal tip region that includes a plurality of flexible segments with varying degrees of stiffness. A handle portion can be located at the proximal end of the catheter body to provide a steering mechanism that causes the distal tip region to deflect according to a compound curve.
-
Citations
55 Claims
-
1-30. -30. (canceled)
-
31. A cardiac ablation instrument assembly comprising:
-
a deflectable first catheter adapted for disposition within a heart having at least one lumen therein extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the catheter having a deflectable end section formed of a plurality of flexible polymeric segments, at least one polymeric segment having a different stiffness as compared to another polymeric segment of the deflectable end section thereby allowing the deflectable end section to form a compound curve upon deployment and deflection within the heart; an elongate second catheter for disposition within a heart; an expandable balloon member having a wall coupled to the elongate second catheter and sized for positioning proximate to a pulmonary vein; a radio-frequency (RF) ablation element within the balloon member for creating at least one lesion proximate the pulmonary vein by conveying energy through the balloon wall; and wherein the lumen is sized and configured to allow passage of the elongate second catheter, the balloon member, and the ablation element contained within the balloon member. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
-
-
50. A cardiac energy delivery instrument assembly comprising:
-
a deflectable first catheter adapted for disposition within a heart having at least one lumen therein extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the catheter having a deflectable end section formed of a plurality of flexible polymeric segments, at least one polymeric segment having a different stiffness as compared to another polymeric segment of the deflectable end section thereby allowing the deflectable end section to form a compound curve upon deployment and deflection within the heart; an elongate second catheter for disposition within a heart; an expandable balloon member having a wall coupled to the elongate second catheter and sized for positioning proximate to a pulmonary vein; a radio-frequency (RF) energy delivery element within the balloon member for conveying energy through the balloon wall; and wherein the lumen is sized and configured to allow passage of the elongate second catheter, the balloon member, and the energy delivery element contained within the balloon member. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52, 53, 54, 55)
-
Specification