Mapping ablation catheter

• US 5,788,692 A
• Filed: 06/30/1995
• Issued: 08/04/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AFX, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fidus Medical Technology Corporation
• Inventors: Seddiqui, Fred R., Campbell, Thomas H., Mead, R. Hardwin, Sturzu, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Application Number:
  US08/497,941
• Time in Patent Office: 1,131 Days
• Field of Search: 128/642, 606/33, 606/41, 607/100-102, 607/113, 607/156, 600/374, 600/381
• US Class Current: 606/33
• 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 18/18 by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves radiation therapy A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1815 using microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00946 slidable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1861 with an instrument inserted into a body lumen or cavity, e.g. a catheter

Abstract

A variety of improved ablation catheters and methods for using such catheters are described. In one embodiment, the catheter includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced split electrode bands that are provided near the distal end of the catheter to monitor electrophysiological signals in the patient. The electrode bands each include a plurality of electrically isolated electrode segments. The number of electrode segments in each band may be widely varied, as may the number of electrode bands. In another embodiment, the catheter has a transducer that is movable longitudinally relative to the flexible tubular member. In one embodiment, the transducer is carried at the distal end of the transmission line and the transmission line is slideably received within the flexible tubular member such that the transducer can be positioned longitudinally relative to the electrode bands. In still another embodiment, the electrodes are ion implanted on the flexible tubular member. The described catheter is introduced into a patient'"'"'s body such that a distal portion of the catheter is positioned in a vessel or chamber of an organ such as the heart. The electrodes are used to monitor electrophysiological signals and an appropriate ablation position is identified based at least in part on the monitored electrophysiological signals. The transducer is then positioned at the identified ablation position and electromagnetic energy is applied to a transducer through a transmission line to cause ablation of tissue in a region adjacent the identified ablation position.

Claims

1. A catheter comprising:

an elongated flexible tubular member adapted to be inserted into a vessel in the body of a patient, the flexible tubular member including a distal portion and a proximal portion;

a coaxial transmission line disposed and slideably received within the tubular member, the transmission line having proximal and distal ends, wherein the proximal end of the transmission line is suitable for connection to a microwave energy source;

at least eight mapping electrode bands that are longitudinally spaced along the surface of the flexible tubular member, wherein the electrode bands are ion implanted on the flexible tubular member such that the electrode bands are flexible, each of the electrode bands including a plurality of electrically isolated electrodes, the electrode bands being configured to facilitate the mapping of the tissues adjacent to the catheter to identify a location of tissue to be ablated;

a plurality of electrode wires each electrically coupled to one of the plurality of electrically isolated electrodes of the at least eight electrode bands and extending through to the proximal portion of the flexible tubular member; and

a microwave antenna coupled to the distal end of the transmission line for generating an electromagnetic field of energy sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation, the antenna being received and longitudinally slideable within the flexible tubular member together with the transmission line, such that longitudinal movement of the coaxial transmission line within the flexible tubular member causes the longitudinal movement of the antenna within the flexible tubular member such that the antenna may be positioned longitudinally relative to the plurality of mapping electrode bands, whereby during use the tubular member may be positioned within the vessel and a portion of the vessel mapped using the electrodes to facilitate the identification of tissue to be ablated, and after the mapping has been accomplished the antenna and transmission line may be longitudinally slid, relative to the electrodes, within the tubular member to position the antenna appropriately for ablation of the identified tissue without requiring the movement of the flexible tubular member relative to the vessel after mapping to effectuate ablation.

2. A catheter as recited in claim 1 wherein each electrode band includes at least four electrically isolated electrodes.

3. A microwave ablation catheter comprising:

an elongated flexible tubular member adapted to be inserted into a vessel in the body of a patient, the flexible tubular member including a distal portion and a proximal portion;

a coaxial transmission line disposed and slideably received within the tubular member, the transmission line having proximal and distal ends, wherein the proximal end of the transmission line is suitable for connection to a microwave energy source;

a plurality of mapping electrodes that are longitudinally spaced along the flexible tubular member; and

an antenna coupled to the distal end of the transmission line for generating an electromagnetic field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation, the antenna being received and longitudinally slideable within the flexible tubular member together with the transmission line, such that the antenna may be positioned longitudinally relative to the plurality of mapping electrodes wherein the range of movement of the antenna permits the antenna to be slid back and forth past the mapping electrodes whereby during use the tubular member may be positioned within the vessel and a portion of the vessel mapped to facilitate the identification of tissue to be ablated, and after the mapping has been accomplished the antenna and transmission line may be longitudinally slid within the tubular member to position the antenna appropriately for ablation of the identified tissue without requiring the movement of the flexible tubular member relative to the vessel after mapping to effectuate ablation.

4. A catheter as recited in claim 3 wherein each electrode takes the form of an electrode band that includes a plurality of electrically isolated electrode segments.

5. A catheter as recited in claim 4 wherein there are at least five electrode bands.

6. A catheter as recited in claim 4 wherein there are at least eleven spaced apart electrode bands.

7. A catheter as recited in claim 4 wherein each electrode band includes at least four electrically isolated electrodes.

8. A catheter as recited in claim 3 wherein the electrodes are ion implanted on the flexible tubular member such that the electrodes are flexible.

9. A catheter as recited in claim 3 wherein there are at least four electrodes.

10. A catheter as recited in claim 3 wherein the longitudinal distance between the proximal end of a most proximal electrode of the plurality of electrodes and the distal end of a most distal electrode of the plurality of electrodes is in the range of approximately 50 mm to approximately 400 mm.