BALLOON FOR ABLATION AROUND PULMONARY VEINS

• US 20160175041A1
• Filed: 12/22/2014
• Published: 06/23/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2014
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: Biosense Webster Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Biosense Webster Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Govari, Assaf, Beeckler, Christopher Thomas, Keyes, Joseph Thomas, Hettel, Rowan Olund
• Application Number:
  US14/578,807
• Publication Number:
  US 20160175041A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 2018/00029 open
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00166 Multiple lumina
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0022 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00238 porous
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00267 having a basket shaped structure
• 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 2018/00839 Bioelectrical parameters, e.g. ECG, EEG
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1407 Loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1435 Spiral
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1467 using more than two electrodes on a single probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1475 Electrodes retractable in or deployable from a housing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/287 Holders for multiple electrodes, e.g. electrode catheters for electrophysiological study [EPS]

Abstract

Cardiac ablation is carried out by introducing a catheter into the left atrium, extending a lasso guide through the lumen of the catheter to engage the wall of a pulmonary vein, and deploying a balloon over the lasso guide. The balloon has an electrode assembly disposed its exterior. The electrode assembly includes a plurality of ablation electrodes circumferentially arranged about the longitudinal axis of the catheter. The inflated balloon is positioned against the pulmonary vein ostium, so that the ablation electrodes are in galvanic contact with the pulmonary vein, and electrical energy is conducted through the ablation electrodes to produce a circumferential lesion that circumscribes the pulmonary vein.

Claims

1. A method of ablation, comprising the steps of:

introducing a catheter into a left atrium of a heart, the catheter having a lumen and a distal end;

extending a lasso guide through the lumen of the catheter to engage an interior wall of a pulmonary vein;

deploying a balloon over a portion of the lasso guide, the balloon having a longitudinal axis and an electrode assembly disposed on an exterior wall thereof, the electrode assembly comprising a plurality of ablation electrodes circumferentially arranged about the longitudinal axis;

inflating the balloon;

positioning the balloon against the pulmonary vein at an ostium thereof, wherein the ablation electrodes are in galvanic contact with the pulmonary vein; and

conducting electrical energy through the ablation electrodes to produce a circumferential lesion that circumscribes the pulmonary vein.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of after positioning the balloon injecting a contrast agent through the catheter into the pulmonary vein.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of after positioning the balloon injecting a contrast agent through the catheter into the balloon.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the lasso guide has a mapping electrode disposed thereon, further comprising the step of obtaining a pre-ablation electrogram with the mapping electrode prior to performing the step of conducting electrical energy through the ablation electrodes.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the lasso guide has a mapping electrode disposed thereon, further comprising the step of obtaining a post-ablation electrogram with the mapping electrode after performing the step of conducting electrical energy through the ablation electrodes.

6. An ablation apparatus comprising:

a probe having a distal portion and a lumen;

a lasso guide that assumes a collapsed state for delivery through the lumen of the probe and an expanded state, the lasso guide having a plurality of mapping electrodes thereon, the mapping electrodes connectable to electrocardiographic circuitry;

an inflatable balloon deployable through the lumen over the lasso guide, the balloon having a longitudinal axis and an exterior wall; and

a plurality of ablation electrodes arranged circumferentially about the longitudinal axis on the exterior wall, the balloon being fenestrated by a plurality of irrigation pores and being connected to a source of fluid for passage through the pores.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6 further comprising a subassembly comprising a plurality of strips radiating outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the balloon wherein the ablation electrodes are disposed on the strips.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the subassembly has apertures formed therethrough in, the apertures being in fluid communication with the pores of the balloon.

9. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising wires in the distal portion leading to the ablation electrodes wherein the strips of the subassembly comprise pigtails extending over a surface of the balloon and overlying the wires, respectively.