Deflectable loop design for a linear lesion ablation apparatus
First Claim
1. An apparatus for ablating body tissue, comprising:
- 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;
an ablation section carried by the baffle member;
at least one electrode carried by the ablation section;
a fluid permeable deformable member at least partially covering the electrodes;
means for delivering current to the electrode; 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 to body tissue.
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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, is provided. The apparatus includes an elongate member having an ablation section which 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 placed against tissue to be ablated. This positioning step is facilitated because the ablation section of the inventive devices may be manipulated in various ways. When the ablation section is properly positioned, radio frequency 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.
619 Citations
23 Claims
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1. 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; an ablation section carried by the baffle member; at least one electrode carried by the ablation section; a fluid permeable deformable member at least partially covering the electrodes; means for delivering current to the electrode; 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 to body tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An apparatus for creating lesions in body tissue, comprising:
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an elongate tubular member having a distal portion, a first opening, and a second opening, the first opening being more distal relative to the second opening; a baffle member having a fixed end attached to the tubular member and a free proximal end slidable relative to the tubular member, the baffle member forming a loop by extending from the fixed end, out the first opening of the tubular member and re-entering the tubular member at the second opening; a pullwire having a fixed end attached to the distal portion of the tubular member; means for actuating the pullwire to bend the distal portion of the tubular member; an ablation section carried by the distal portion of the tubular member; at least one electrode carried by the ablation section; a fluid permeable deformable member at least partially covering the electrodes; means for delivering current to the electrode; 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 position adjacent to body tissue.
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7. An apparatus for creating lesions in body tissue, comprising:
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an elongate tubular member having a distal portion, a first opening, and a second opening, the first opening being more distal relative to the second opening; a baffle member having a fixed end attached to the tubular member and a free proximal end slidable relative to the tubular member, the baffle member forming a loop by extending from the fixed end, out the second opening of the tubular member and re-entering the tubular member at the first opening; a pullwire having a fixed end attached to the distal portion of the tubular member; means for actuating the pullwire to bend the distal portion of the tubular member; an ablation section carried by the distal portion of the tubular member; at least one electrode carried by the ablation section; a fluid permeable deformable member at least partially covering the electrodes; means for delivering current to the electrode; 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 position adjacent to body tissue. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus for ablating body tissue, comprising:
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an elongate tubular member having a bendable distal section; a baffle loop carried at the distal end of the tubular member; a pullwire extending through the tubular member, the pullwire having a fixed distal end and a proximal end moveable to adjust the bend of the distal section of the tubular member; and an ablation element carried by the bendable distal section of the tubular member.
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21. An apparatus for ablating body tissue, comprising:
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an elongate tubular member having an opening and a distal end; an elongate shaft member slidably disposed within the elongate tubular member; a baffle member carried by the shaft member and 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 distal end of the shaft member. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification