Steerable catheter with preformed distal shape and method for use
First Claim
1. A catheter for positioning at least one electrode at a selected biological site, said catheter comprising:
- a sheath having a distal end carrying the at least one electrode;
a stylet disposed within the sheath and attached to the distal end of the sheath, the stylet having a distal end region having a preformed shape with a radius of curvature, the stylet formed of a shape-retentive and resilient material such that the stylet distal end region changes shape upon the application of force and upon the removal of force, returns to the preformed shape, the stylet disposed in the sheath such that the stylet distal end region is located in the distal end region of the sheath and causes the sheath to assume the preformed shape; and
a tendon housed within the sheath and attached to the distal end of the sheath such that axial displacement of the tendon changes the radius of curvature of the stylet distal end region and the sheath distal end region.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A catheter has a stylet formed of a shape-retentive and resilient material having a preformed curved shape at its distal end resulting in the catheter sheath having the preformed curved shape. The catheter sheath has a plurality of electrodes at its distal end for contacting selected biological tissue for imparting ablation energy thereto. The catheter sheath also has an axially mounted tendon for causing deflection of the distal end. The stylet material permits straightening the catheter sheath during insertion into the patient and advancing the electrodes to the target tissue. Upon removal of the straightening forces, such as by entry into a chamber of the heart, the stylet material resumes its preformed curved distal shape thereby forcing the catheter distal end with the electrodes into the same preformed curved shape. The operator may place the curved distal end into contact with the target tissue and axially move the tendon as desired to gain greater control over the bend in the distal end of the catheter sheath to adjust the radius of curvature of the distal end to obtain greater contact of the electrodes with the heart tissue. Preferably, the stylet is formed of nitinol.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A catheter for positioning at least one electrode at a selected biological site, said catheter comprising:
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a sheath having a distal end carrying the at least one electrode; a stylet disposed within the sheath and attached to the distal end of the sheath, the stylet having a distal end region having a preformed shape with a radius of curvature, the stylet formed of a shape-retentive and resilient material such that the stylet distal end region changes shape upon the application of force and upon the removal of force, returns to the preformed shape, the stylet disposed in the sheath such that the stylet distal end region is located in the distal end region of the sheath and causes the sheath to assume the preformed shape; and a tendon housed within the sheath and attached to the distal end of the sheath such that axial displacement of the tendon changes the radius of curvature of the stylet distal end region and the sheath distal end region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An ablation system for use in applying energy to heart tissue, said system comprising:
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a catheter sheath having a distal end region and a lumen; a plurality of electrodes located at the distal end region of the catheter sheath; a stylet disposed within the sheath and attached to the distal end of the catheter sheath, the stylet having a distal end region with a preformed shape with a radius of curvature, the stylet formed of a shape-retentive and resilient material such that the stylet distal end region changes shape upon the application of force and upon the removal of the force, returns to the preformed shape, the stylet disposed in the catheter sheath such that the stylet distal end region is located in the distal end region of the sheath and causes the sheath to assume the preformed shape; a tendon housed within the catheter sheath and attached to the distal end of the sheath such that axial displacement of the tendon changes the radius of curvature of the stylet distal end region and the sheath distal end region; a handle attached to the proximal end of the catheter sheath and the stylet such that rotation of the handle causes rotation in the catheter sheath and the stylet; and a control member disposed at the handle and connected to the tendon such that a predetermined movement of the control member causes axial movement of the tendon to control changes in the radius of curvature of the stylet distal end region and the sheath distal end region. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification