Helical DeNervation Ablation Catheter Apparatus
First Claim
1. Catheter apparatus for applying RF energy to the endoluminal surfaces of a patient'"'"'s arteries to ablate certain nerves contained therein, comprising:
- a handle having a distal end and a proximal end, and having a linear actuator means associated therewith;
a proximal shaft tube affixed to the distal end of the handle;
a flexible tube or rod extending through the proximal shaft tube and having its proximal end coupled to the linear actuator means;
a flexible distal shaft tube having its proximal end affixed to the distal end of the proximal shaft tube, its distal end connected to the distal end of the flexible tube or rod, and having a helically configured portion of its length helically wrapped about a distal portion of the flexible tube or rod;
a plurality of electrodes and temperature sensors carried by and disposed at predetermined intervals along the helically configured portion of the distal shaft tube; and
a bundle of electrical wires extending through and along at least a portion of the distal shaft tube and the proximal shaft tube, various ones of the wires having their respective distal ends connected to the electrodes or the temperature sensors, and their proximal ends coupled to electrical connector means for connection to electrical power and measurement means;
whereby selective actuation of the linear actuator means causes extension or retraction of the flexible tube or rod which in turn causes the helical pitch and radius of the helically configured portion of the distal shaft tube to be changed to variously position said electrodes within an artery into which said catheter is extended.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A catheter apparatus carrying RF ablation electrodes on a helically configured portion of a flexible tube that can be inserted into the femoral artery of a patient, advanced into a renal artery, and then be manipulated to properly position electrodes carried by the helical tube to contact the endoluminal surface of the artery. While instrumentally monitoring the endoluminal surface'"'"'s temperature and impedance (measured with electrodes that are in an intimate contact with the surface), a low level of RF energy can be applied to selected sites on the interior (endoluminal) surface of the artery in order to ablate the renal sympathetic nerves without affecting the abdominal, pelvic, or lower-extremity nerves.
23 Citations
20 Claims
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1. Catheter apparatus for applying RF energy to the endoluminal surfaces of a patient'"'"'s arteries to ablate certain nerves contained therein, comprising:
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a handle having a distal end and a proximal end, and having a linear actuator means associated therewith; a proximal shaft tube affixed to the distal end of the handle; a flexible tube or rod extending through the proximal shaft tube and having its proximal end coupled to the linear actuator means; a flexible distal shaft tube having its proximal end affixed to the distal end of the proximal shaft tube, its distal end connected to the distal end of the flexible tube or rod, and having a helically configured portion of its length helically wrapped about a distal portion of the flexible tube or rod; a plurality of electrodes and temperature sensors carried by and disposed at predetermined intervals along the helically configured portion of the distal shaft tube; and a bundle of electrical wires extending through and along at least a portion of the distal shaft tube and the proximal shaft tube, various ones of the wires having their respective distal ends connected to the electrodes or the temperature sensors, and their proximal ends coupled to electrical connector means for connection to electrical power and measurement means; whereby selective actuation of the linear actuator means causes extension or retraction of the flexible tube or rod which in turn causes the helical pitch and radius of the helically configured portion of the distal shaft tube to be changed to variously position said electrodes within an artery into which said catheter is extended. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A catheter device for applying RF energy to the endoluminal surfaces of an artery or the like, comprising:
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a handle having a distal end and a proximal end, and having a linear actuator means disposed therewithin; a length of flexible distal shaft tube having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end thereof being coupled to the distal end of the handle, and having a portion of its length near its distal end being helically configured; a flexible rod slideably extending through and along a substantial portion of the length of the distal shaft tube not including the helically configured portion thereof, the flexible rod having its proximal end coupled to the linear actuator means, and a distal end portion thereof extending out of a sidewall of the distal shaft tube and along the axis of the helically configured portion thereof, the distal end of the rod being affixed to the distal end of the distal shaft tube; a plurality of electrodes and temperature sensors carried by and disposed at predetermined intervals along the helically configured portion of the distal shaft tube; and a bundle of electrical wires extending through and along at least a portion of the distal shaft tube, various ones of the wires having their distal ends variously connected to the electrodes or the temperature sensors, and their proximal ends coupled to electrical connector means for connection to RF power providing and temperature measurement means; whereby selective actuation of the linear actuator means causes linear extension/retraction of the flexible rod which in turn causes the helical pitch and radius of the helically configured portion of the distal shaft tube to be changed to variously position the electrodes within an artery into which the catheter is inserted. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification