APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TREATING CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES
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Accused Products
Abstract
A removable apparatus is provided for temporary implantation in a pulmonary vein for ablating atrial tissue surrounding the antrum of the pulmonary vein to treat atrial fibrillation in a subject. The apparatus comprises an electrically-insulated expandable support member and a retrieval mechanism. The support member has oppositely disposed proximal and distal end portions and a main body portion extending between the end portions. The proximal end portion includes at least one annularly disposed wing member, and has a free end defined by oppositely disposed first and second major surfaces. The at least one wing member includes at least one ablation element located at the free end thereof. The retrieval mechanism is for removing the support member and for energizing the at least one ablation element. The retrieval mechanism includes at least one electrically-conductive wire, which is separately connected to the at least one wing member.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1-17. -17. (canceled)
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18. A removable apparatus for temporary implantation in a pulmonary vein for ablating atrial tissue surrounding the antrum of the pulmonary vein to treat atrial fibrillation in a subject, said apparatus comprising:
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an electrically-insulated expandable support member having oppositely disposed proximal and distal end portions and a main body portion extending between said end portions for positioning in the pulmonary vein, said proximal end portion including at least one annularly disposed wing member that extends from said main body portion, said at least one wing member having a free end and being defined by oppositely disposed first and second major surfaces, said distal end portion adapted for insertion into the pulmonary vein to accurately position said proximal end portion at the antrum; when temporarily implanted, said first major surface for facing the interior of the atrial chamber and said second major surface having a shape configured to conform to the surface topography of the atrial tissue surrounding the pulmonary vein; said at least one wing member including at least one ablation element for delivering electrical energy to the atrial tissue, said at least one ablation element being located at said free end of said at least one wing member; and a retrieval mechanism for removing said expandable support member and, optionally, for energizing said at least one ablation element, said retrieval mechanism including at least one electrically-conductive wire, said at least one wire being separately connected to said at least one wing member. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification