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Method for detecting and revascularizing ischemic myocardial tissue

  • US 6,024,739 A
  • Filed: 09/05/1997
  • Issued: 02/15/2000
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/05/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method for direct myocardial revascularization comprising:

  • providing a catheter comprising;

    a unitary catheter body having proximal and distal ends, inner and outer surfaces and at least one lumen extending therethrough;

    a control handle at the proximal end of the catheter body;

    a tip section comprising a tubing more flexible than the catheter body having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen therethrough, the proximal end of the tip section being fixedly attached to the distal end of the catheter body;

    an electromagnetic sensor in the distal portion of the tip section for producing electrical signals indicative of the location of the electromagnetic sensor;

    an electromagnetic sensor cable electrically connected to the electromagnetic sensor and extending through the tip section, body and control handle for carrying electrical signals from the electromagnetic sensor to a computer;

    at least one electrode carried by the tip section for mapping electrical activity of the heart tissue and at least one electrode lead wire electrically connected to the electrode, said lead wire extending through the tip section, catheter body and control handle;

    an optic fiber having a distal end and a proximal end, said optic fiber extending through a lumen in the catheter body and tip section, said distal end of the optic fiber being substantially flush with the distal end of the tip section; and

    means for deflecting the distal end of the tip section by manipulation of the control handle;

    inserting the catheter through a blood vessel into a heart chamber;

    monitoring the location of the distal end of the catheter tip section within the heart on a visual display;

    contacting the heart wall with at least one electrode to measure the electrode to measure the electrical activity of the heart at the points of contact to locate ischemic areas of the heart tissue;

    deflecting the distal end of the tip section so that the distal end of the tip section and the distal end of the optic fiber are generally normal to an ischemic area of heart tissue; and

    transmitting sufficient laser energy through the optic fiber to create a channel in the heart tissue.

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