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Ablation catheters

  • US 5,571,088 A
  • Filed: 06/06/1995
  • Issued: 11/05/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/01/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method of ablating heart tissue within a body of a living being, comprising the steps of:

  • providing a catheter comprising;

    a catheter shaft constructed for insertion into a blood vessel;

    an inflatable balloon mounted on a distal portion of said catheter shaft, said catheter shaft and said balloon being sized and constructed to permit said distal portion of said catheter shaft to be inserted into an atrium or ventricle of a heart while said balloon is deflated and to permit said balloon to be filled with a fluid inside said atrium or ventricle, said balloon being sufficiently deformable under stress to conform to the shape of said atrium or ventricle; and

    a heating device mounted on said distal portion of said catheter shaft and constructed to cause a large area of tissue in contact with said balloon while said balloon is inflated to be heated;

    inserting said catheter into said body;

    positioning said distal portion of said catheter within said atrium or ventricle and adjacent to a wall of said atrium or ventricle;

    inflating said balloon within said atrium or ventricle, and engaging said balloon, while said balloon is inflated, in direct contact with said wall of said atrium or ventricle; and

    heating, through use of said heating device, said large area of tissue of said atrium or ventricle in contact with said balloon while said balloon is inflated.

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