Apparatus and method for linear lesion ablation
First Claim
1. An apparatus for creating linear lesions in body tissue, the apparatus comprising:
- an elongate support member proportioned for insertion and manipulation through human vessels, the support member having an elongate ablation section;
at least one electrode carried by the ablation section of the support member;
a fluid permeable deformable member at least partially covering the electrodes;
means for delivering current to the electrodes;
means for delivering conductive fluid through the deformable member to the ablation section to cause said fluid to create a conductive path between the electrodes and the tissue when the electrodes are positioned adjacent body tissue; and
a covering on the deformable member, the covering formed of a material substantially impermeable to fluid, the covering including at least one opening sized to allow passage of fluid out of the covering.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for ablating body tissue, and particularly for creating linear lesions within a chamber of a patient'"'"'s heart, includes an elongate member having an ablation section. The ablation section includes an infusion tube and a plurality of spaced electrodes. The infusion tube and electrodes are covered by a fluid permeable foam material, and the foam material is covered by a fluid impermeable covering having a plurality of holes formed in it. During use, the ablation section is positioned against tissue to be ablated. Radiofrequency energy is delivered to the electrodes while saline or other conductive fluid is delivered to the infusion tube. The fluid exits the infusion tube at the ablation section, contacts the electrodes, and carries RF energy from the electrodes through the foam, through the holes in the covering and into contact with the body tissue to form a burn in the body tissue.
655 Citations
25 Claims
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1. An apparatus for creating linear lesions in body tissue, the apparatus comprising:
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an elongate support member proportioned for insertion and manipulation through human vessels, the support member having an elongate ablation section; at least one electrode carried by the ablation section of the support member; a fluid permeable deformable member at least partially covering the electrodes; means for delivering current to the electrodes; means for delivering conductive fluid through the deformable member to the ablation section to cause said fluid to create a conductive path between the electrodes and the tissue when the electrodes are positioned adjacent body tissue; and a covering on the deformable member, the covering formed of a material substantially impermeable to fluid, the covering including at least one opening sized to allow passage of fluid out of the covering. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. An apparatus for creating linear lesions in body tissue, the apparatus comprising:
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an elongate support member proportioned for insertion and manipulation through human vessels, the support member having an elongate ablation section; at least one electrode carried by the ablation section of the support member; a fluid permeable deformable member at least partially covering the electrodes, wherein the deformable member is provided in segments; a plurality of coverings, each covering one of the segments; means for delivering current to the electrodes; and means for delivering conductive fluid through the deformable member to the ablation section to cause said fluid to create a conductive path between the electrodes and the tissue when the electrodes are positioned adjacent body tissue.
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4. An apparatus for creating lesions in body tissue, the apparatus comprising:
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an elongate wire having an ablation section; a plurality of spaced electrodes carried by the ablation section of the wire; a covering at least partially overlaying the electrodes, the covering formed of a material substantially impermeable to fluid, the covering including at least one opening sized to allow passage of fluid out of the covering; means for delivering current to the electrodes; and means for delivering conductive fluid to the ablation section to cause said fluid to create a conductive path between the electrodes and the tissue when the electrodes are positioned adjacent body tissue. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for ablating body tissue, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing an elongate member, electrodes carried by the member, a deformable layer of fluid permeable material formed over the electrodes, a covering overlaying the deformable layer, the covering formed of a material substantially impermeable to fluid, the covering including at least one opening sized to allow passage of fluid out of the covering, and means for delivering conductive fluid to the electrodes (b) manipulating the member through a vessel and into the chamber of a heart, and positioning the deformable layer, with the covering overlaying it, adjacent to a wall within the heart and against the body tissue which is to ablated; (c) supplying current to the electrodes; (d) supplying conductive fluid to the electrodes; and (e) permitting the conductive fluid to form a conductive path between the electrodes and the tissue which is to be ablated.
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10. An apparatus for ablating body tissue, comprising:
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an elongate tubular member having an opening; a baffle member having a distal portion slidably disposed within the tubular member, the baffle member slidable between a first position in which the distal portion extends from the opening and is folded over itself, and a second position in which the distal portion of the baffle member is contained within the elongate tubular member; and an ablation element carried by the baffle member. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of forming a linear lesion, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing an elongate tubular member having a distal portion, an opening at the distal portion, a loop positioned within the distal portion and moveable through the opening to a position outside the distal portion, and an ablation element carried by the loop; (b) with the loop inside the tubular member, inserting the distal portion of the tubular member through an incision and into a patient, and positioning the opening adjacent to target tissue to be ablated; (c) extending the loop from the distal portion; (d) positioning the ablation element against the target tissue; (e) positioning a portion of the loop which is spaced from the ablation element against a tissue surface opposing the target tissue to leverage the electrode against the target tissue; and (f) ablating the tissue using the ablation element. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of forming a linear lesion, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing an elongate tubular member having a distal portion, an opening at the distal portion, a loop positioned within the distal portion and moveable through the opening to a position outside the distal portion, and an ablation element carried by the loop, the loop including a baffle member having a fixed end attached to the tubular member, an intermediate portion folded over itself to form the loop, and a free end movable to effect sliding of the baffle member to move the loop into and out of the tubular member and to change the size of the loop; (b) with the loop inside the tubular member, inserting the distal portion of the tubular member through an incision and into a patient, and positioning the opening adjacent to target tissue to be ablated; (c) advancing the free end distally to extend the loop from the tubular member; (d) positioning the ablation element against the target tissue; (e) positioning a portion of the loop which is spaced from the ablation element against a tissue surface opposing the target tissue to leverage the electrode against the target tissue, steps (d) and (e) including the step of moving the free end distally or proximally as needed to increase or decrease the size of the loop; and (f) ablating the tissue using the ablation element. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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23. An assembly carried on the distal end of a catheter for generating a linear lesion in a target tissue comprising:
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a central, elongated support member; a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart electrodes, said electrodes being connectable to a source of RF energy; an elongated, deformable member surrounding said electrodes and a portion of said support member said deformable member formed from foam surrounded by an outer membrane having apertures formed therein; and a source of electrolytic fluid coupled to said deformable member, said fluid functioning to partially pressurize said deformable member and wherein said fluid perfuses out of said deformable member towards the target tissue, said fluid enhancing the coupling of the RF energy from said electrodes to said tissue whereby linear lesions can be effectively created in said tissue.
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24. An assembly carried on the distal end of a catheter for generating a linear lesion in a target tissue comprising:
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an elongate tubular member having an opening; a central, elongated support member, wherein the central support member is slidably disposed within the elongate tubular member and wherein the central support member is slidable between a first position in which the distal end extends from the opening and is folded over itself, and a second position in which the distal end portion is contained within the elongate tubular member; a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart electrodes, carried by the central support member, said electrodes being connectable to a source of RF energy; an elongated, deformable member carried by the central support member and surrounding said electrodes and a portion of said support member; means for biasing said deformable member into contact with the target tissue; and a source of electrolytic fluid coupled to said deformable member, said fluid functioning to partially pressurize said deformable member and wherein said fluid perfuses out of said deformable member towards the target tissue, said fluid enhancing the coupling of the RF energy from said electrodes to said tissue whereby linear lesions can be effectively created in said tissue.
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25. An assembly carried on the distal end of a catheter for generating a linear lesion in a target tissue comprising:
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a central, elongated support member; a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart electrodes disposed on said support member, said electrodes being connectable to a source of RF energy; an elongated, deformable member surrounding said electrodes and a portion of said support member, said deformable member formed of longitudinal segments corresponding to, and aligned with, the electrodes on the support member; and a source of electrolytic fluid coupled to said deformable member, said fluid functioning to partially pressurize said deformable member and wherein said fluid perfuses out of said deformable member towards the target tissue, said fluid enhancing the coupling of the RF energy from said electrodes to said tissue whereby linear lesions can be effectively created in said tissue.
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Specification