WALL-SPARING RENAL NERVE ABLATION CATHETER WITH SPACED ELECTRODE STRUCTURES

• US 20140276756A1
• Filed: 03/04/2014
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: HILL, JASON P.
• Application Number:
  US14/196,588
• Publication Number:
  US 20140276756A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/33
• 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 2018/0022 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00267 having a basket shaped structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00279 deployable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00404 Blood vessels other than those in or around the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00434 Neural system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00511 Kidney

Abstract

Systems and methods for performing tissue modulation are disclosed. A nerve modulation assembly may include a guide sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. An actuation member, also having a proximal end and a distal end, extends along a central elongate axis disposed within the lumen. Further, the ablation member disposed at the distal end of the actuation member is configured to be actuated from the proximal end of the guide sheath. In particular, the ablation member includes a radiofrequency based electrode member, and an insulation member disposed circumferentially around the radiofrequency based electrode member.

Claims

1. A nerve modulation assembly, comprising:

an elongate device extending along a central elongate axis, the elongate device having a proximal end and a distal end;

an ablation member disposed at the distal end of the elongate device, and configured to be actuated from the proximal end of the elongate device, the ablation member including;

a radiofrequency based electrode member; and

a spacing member disposed circumferentially around the radiofrequency based electrode member.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein an actuation of the electrode member, through the elongate device, is enabled through a radiofrequency based control unit disposed at the proximal end of the elongate device.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the radiofrequency based electrode member is at least one of a balloon electrode, a stent electrode or a slotted tube electrode.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the spacing member is at least one of a nonconductive braid member, a slotted tube or one or more of a series of nonconductive bumps.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the nonconductive braid member includes a plurality of loosely braided spiral coils.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the ablation member is configured to switch between a collapsed position and an expanded position, such that a portion of the spacing member contacts an inner wall of a blood vessel while in the expanded position, keeping the electrode member at a distance from the inner wall.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the collapsed and the expanded position of the ablation member is enabled through a pull wire.

8. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a guide sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the guide sheath is retractable.

10. A renal nerve ablation system, comprising:

a guide sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween;

an elongate device extending along a central elongate axis within the lumen, the elongate device having a proximal end and a distal end;

an ablation member disposed at the distal end of the elongate device, the ablation member including;

a radio frequency based electrode member; and

a spacing member disposed circumferentially around the electrode member, wherein the spacing member is configured at least as one of a nonconductive braid member or as one or more of a series of nonconductive bumps, the spacing member configured to contact an inner wall of a blood vessel, while enabling the electrode member to avoid contact with the inner wall of the blood vessel.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein an actuation of the electrode member, through the elongate device, is enabled through a radio frequency based control unit disposed at the proximal end of the elongate device.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the nonconductive braid member includes a plurality of loosely braided spiral coils.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the radio frequency based electrode member is at least one of a balloon electrode or a slotted tube electrode.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the ablation member is configured to switch between a collapsed position and an expanded position, such that the contact of the spacing member to the inner wall is enabled in the expanded position.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the collapsed and the expanded position of the ablation member is enabled through a pull wire.

16. A method for ablating a nerve through a blood vessel, the method comprising:

advancing a guide sheath, to a desired location within the blood vessel, the guide sheath including a proximal end and a distal end, having an ablation member at the distal end, the ablation member having a radio frequency based electrode member and a spacing member disposed circumferentially around the electrode member;

deploying the ablation member at the desired location within the blood vessel;

using the ablation member such that portions of the spacing member contacts an inner wall of the blood vessel, while enabling the electrode member to avoid a direct contact with the inner wall of the blood vessel; and

activating the electrode member to ablate a desired portion within the blood vessel.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein activating the electrode member is enabled through a radio frequency based control unit disposed at the proximal end of the guide sheath.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the radio frequency based electrode member is configured at least as a balloon catheter or as a ribbon based slotted tube electrode.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the spacing member is at least a nonconductive braid member or a series of nonconductive bumps.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the nonconductive braid member includes a plurality of loosely braided spiral coils.