Ablation apparatus with ultrasonic imaging capabilities
First Claim
1. An ablation apparatus comprising:
- (a) a delivery catheter with a distal section, a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending therebetween, wherein a wire having a distal end and a proximal end is located within the lumen of the delivery catheter;
(b) a handle attached to the proximal end of said delivery catheter, wherein a push-pull mechanism is located within the handle, and wherein the proximal end of the wire is attached to the push-pull mechanism;
(c) an electrode deployment means positioned at the proximal end of the wire, wherein the wire comprises a retractable tip section;
the catheter, handle, wire, and deployment means being adapted to cooperate to house non-deploy and deploy the tip section;
(d) an electrode mounted on the retractable tip section, wherein the electrode has a front side adapted to contact the tissue when the retractable tip section is deployed; and
(e) ultrasonically visible markers mounted on the distal catheter tip on the electrode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An RF ablation apparatus has a delivery catheter with distal and proximal ends. A handle is attached to the proximal end of the delivery catheter. The delivery catheter has an electrode deployment means where said electrode deployment means includes a retractable tip section comprising a deployable electrode with portion of one side having a sharp edge. The tip section has a non-deployed state when it is positioned in the delivery catheter. On the other hand, the tip section has a distended deployed state when it is advanced out of the distal end of said delivery catheter. The deployed tip section has a preformed shape while the farther distal deployed electrode defines an ablation target along with portion of the forward side having a sharp edge on said electrode. The forward edge of the deployed electrode has a slightly curvature or an essentially straight shape. Said deployable electrode has ultrasonic imaging capabilities.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. An ablation apparatus comprising:
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(a) a delivery catheter with a distal section, a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending therebetween, wherein a wire having a distal end and a proximal end is located within the lumen of the delivery catheter; (b) a handle attached to the proximal end of said delivery catheter, wherein a push-pull mechanism is located within the handle, and wherein the proximal end of the wire is attached to the push-pull mechanism; (c) an electrode deployment means positioned at the proximal end of the wire, wherein the wire comprises a retractable tip section;
the catheter, handle, wire, and deployment means being adapted to cooperate to house non-deploy and deploy the tip section;(d) an electrode mounted on the retractable tip section, wherein the electrode has a front side adapted to contact the tissue when the retractable tip section is deployed; and (e) ultrasonically visible markers mounted on the distal catheter tip on the electrode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for operating an ablation apparatus system inside the body of a patient for ablating a target tissue, the ablation apparatus system comprising a delivery catheter with a distal section, a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending therebetween, wherein a wire having a distal end and a proximal end is located within the lumen of the delivery catheter;
- a handle attached to the proximal end of said delivery catheter, wherein a push-pull mechanism is located within the handle, and wherein the proximal end of the wire is attached to the push-pull mechanism;
an electrode deployment means positioned at the proximal end of the wire, wherein the wire comprises a retractable tip section;
the catheter, handle, wire, and deployment means being adapted to cooperate to house non-deploy and deploy the tip section;
an electrode mounted on the retractable tip section, wherein the electrode has a front side adapted to contact the tissue when the retractable tip section is deployed;
ultrasonically visible markers mounted on the distal catheter tip on the electrode, and an external RF generator, wherein RF is applied by the catheter electrode for ablation purposes;the method comprising; (a) introducing the delivery catheter having a retractable tip section under a non-deployed state into the body through a small surgery hole or through the natural body openings; (b) once approaching the target tissue, deploying the tip section by operating the push-pull mechanism at the handle; (c) moving the electrode to the proximity of the target tissue guided by the ultrasonically visible markers; (d) once positioned at the target tissue, encircling the target tissue; and (e) by a simultaneous or alternate mode, gradually pushing forward the delivery catheter against the target tissue and applying RF by the catheter electrode to the tissue. - View Dependent Claims (13)
- a handle attached to the proximal end of said delivery catheter, wherein a push-pull mechanism is located within the handle, and wherein the proximal end of the wire is attached to the push-pull mechanism;
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14. An ablation apparatus comprising:
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(a) a delivery catheter with a distal section, a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending therebetween, wherein a wire having a distal end and a proximal end is located within the lumen of the delivery catheter; (b) a handle attached to the proximal end of said delivery catheter, wherein a push-pull mechanism is located within the handle, and wherein the proximal end of the wire is attached to the push-pull mechanism; (c) an electrode deployment means positioned at the proximal end of the wire, wherein the wire comprises a retractable tip section;
the catheter, handle, wire, and deployment means being adapted to cooperate to house non-deploy and deploy the tip section;(d) an electrode mounted on the retractable tip section, wherein the electrode has a front side adapted to contact the tissue when the retractable tip section is deployed, and wherein the electrode is consisted of blunt sides except a portion of the front side having a sharp edge to loosen the target tissue for improved ablation treatment with RF energy delivery; and (e) ultrasonically visible markers mounted on the distal catheter tip on the electrode.
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Specification