Cardiac mapping and ablation systems

• US 5,476,495 A
• Filed: 10/14/1993
• Issued: 12/19/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: EP Technology (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: EP Technology (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Swanson, David K., Kordis, Thomas F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jastrzab, Jeffrey R.
• Application Number:
  US08/136,218
• Time in Patent Office: 796 Days
• Field of Search: 607/115, 607/116, 607/119, 607/122, 607/123, 607/126, 128/642
• US Class Current: 607/122
• 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 2018/0016 Energy applicators arranged in a two- or three dimensional array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00214 Expandable means emitting energy, e.g. by elements carried thereon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00267 having a basket shaped structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00357 Endocardium
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00839 Bioelectrical parameters, e.g. ECG, EEG
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0091 Handpieces of the surgical instrument or device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1253 monopolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1407 Loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1435 Spiral
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/002 Irrigation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/043 in a linear array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/287 Holders for multiple electrodes, e.g. electrode catheters for electrophysiological study [EPS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6858 with a distal basket, e.g. expandable basket
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/056 Transvascular endocardial electrode systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/06 for high-frequency therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0601 Apparatus for use inside the body

Abstract

A probe for cardiac diagnosis and/or treatment has a catheter tube. The distal end of the catheter tube carries first and second electrode elements. The probe includes a mechanism for steering the first electrode element relative to the second electrode element in multiple directions.

Claims

1. An integrated probe assembly for deployment within a heart to contact tissue comprising

a catheter body having a distal end,

an ablation electrode element integrally attached to the catheter body and extending distally beyond the distal end of the catheter body,

a second electrode element integrally attached To The catheter body and extending distally beyond the distal end forming a three-dimensional structure that extends along an axis and that has an open interior circumferentially enclosing said ablation electrode element within it,

means for selectively collapsing the second electrode element about said ablation electrode element, closing said interior, whereby the catheter body, the ablation electrode element, and the second electrode element can be advanced into and deployed within the heart as an integral assembly, and

means integrally carried by the catheter body and connected to the ablation electrode element for moving the ablation electrode element within the open interior of the second electrode element in a first direction along the axis of the second electrode element, in a second direction rotating about the axis of the second electrode element, and in a third direction normal to the axis of the second electrode element.

2. An assembly according to claim 1

and further including a hemostatic valve located within the catheter body.

3. A method for ablating tissue within a heart using an integrated probe assembly comprising a catheter body having a distal end, an ablation electrode element integrally attached to the catheter body and extending distally beyond the distal end of the catheter body, a second electrode element integrally attached to the catheter body and extending distally beyond the distal end forming a three-dimensional structure that extends along an axis and that has an open interior circumferentially enclosing the ablation electrode element within it, a deployment element for selectively collapsing the second electrode element about the ablation electrode element, closing said interior, and for selectively expanding the second electrode element about the ablation electrode element, opening said interior, and steering element integrally carried by the catheter body and connected to the ablation electrode element for moving the ablation electrode element within said open interior of the second electrode element in a first direction along the axis of the second electrode element, in a second direction rotating about the axis of the second electrode element, and in a third direction normal to the axis of the second electrode element, the method comprising the steps of

operating the deployment element to collapse the second electrode element about the ablation electrode element,

introducing the integrated probe assembly into the heart while the second electrode element is collapsed about the ablation electrode element,

bringing the second electrode element into contact with heart tissue by operating the deployment means to expand the second electrode element about the ablation electrode element,

bringing the ablation electrode element into contact with heart tissue, while maintaining contact between the second electrode element and heart tissue, by operating the steering element To move the ablation electrode element within the open area of the second electrode element,

transmitting ablation energy to the ablation electrode element while contacting heart tissue,

operating the deployment means to collapse the second electrode about the ablation electrode element, and

withdrawing the integrated probe assembly from the heart while the second electrode element is collapsed about the ablation electrode element.