Structures and methods for deploying electrode elements
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for forming a lesion within the heart, comprising:
- a carrier; and
a device associated with the carrier including a circumferential lesion formation structure adapted to engage a circumferential target tissue area that encircles a pulmonary vein and a support structure adapted to engage tissue adjacent to the target tissue area to fix the position of the circumferential lesion formation structure.
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Abstract
An electrode support structure comprises a guide body having at its distal end a flexible spline leg. The spline leg is flexed to define an arcuate shape to facilitate intimate contact against tissue. An electrode element is carried by the spline leg for movement along its axis. The structure includes a control element coupled to the electrode element. The control element remotely imparts force to move the electrode element along the axis of the spline leg. Therefore, in use, the physician can cause the electrode element to travel along a path that the spline leg defines, without otherwise changing the location of the guide body.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. An apparatus for forming a lesion within the heart, comprising:
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a carrier; and
a device associated with the carrier including a circumferential lesion formation structure adapted to engage a circumferential target tissue area that encircles a pulmonary vein and a support structure adapted to engage tissue adjacent to the target tissue area to fix the position of the circumferential lesion formation structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An apparatus for forming a lesion in a circumferential target tissue area within the heart, comprising:
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a carrier; and
a device including a plurality of flexible splines associated with the carrier and including a circumferential lesion formation structure adapted to engage the circumferential target tissue area and a support structure adapted to engage tissue adjacent to the target tissue area to fix the position of the circumferential lesion formation structure.
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10. An apparatus for forming a lesion in a circumferential target tissue area within the heart, comprising:
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a carrier; and
a device associated with the carrier including a circumferential lesion formation structure adapted to engage the circumferential target tissue area and a support structure adapted to engage tissue adjacent to the target tissue area to fix the position of the circumferential lesion formation structure the circumferential lesion formation structure including a first loop structure defining a first loop structure plane and the support structure including a second loop structure defining a second loop structure plane substantially perpendicular to the first loop structure plane. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A treatment method, comprising the steps of:
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introducing an expandable device formed from a plurality of resilient splines and including a circumferential lesion formation structure and a support structure associated with the circumferential lesion formation structure, into the heart;
expanding the expandable device;
engaging a circumferential region of tissue with the circumferential lesion formation structure;
engaging tissue other than the circumferential region of tissue engaged by the circumferential lesion formation structure with the support structure; and
forming a circumferential lesion in the circumferential region of tissue. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
directing a vascular introducer into the heart;
collapsing the expandable device; and
passing the collapsed expandable device through the vascular introducer.
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15. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the step of expanding the expandable device comprises the step of advancing the expandable device out of the introducer.
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16. A method as claimed in claim 13, further comprising the step of:
urging the circumferential lesion formation structure against the circumferential region of tissue with the support structure.
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17. A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the step of forming a circumferential lesion comprises the step of supplying energy to the circumferential region of tissue.
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18. A method of treating arrhythmia, comprising the steps of:
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introducing an expandable device, including a lesion formation structure and a support structure associated with the lesion formation structure, into the left atrium of the heart;
expanding the expandable device;
engaging an annular region of tissue associated with a pulmonary vein with the lesion formation structure;
engaging tissue other than the engaged annular region of tissue with the support structure; and
forming an annular lesion in the annular region of tissue associated with the pulmonary vein. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
directing a vascular introducer into the left atrium;
collapsing the expandable device; and
passing the collapsed expandable device through the vascular introducer.
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21. A method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the step of expanding the expandable device comprises the step of advancing the expandable device out of the introducer.
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22. A method as claimed in claim 18, further comprising the step of:
urging the lesion formation structure against the annular region of tissue associated with the pulmonary vein with the support structure.
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23. A method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the step of forming a lesion comprises the step of supplying energy to the annular region of tissue associated with the pulmonary vein.
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24. A method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the step of engaging an annular region of tissue associated with a pulmonary vein comprises the step of engaging a region of tissue that encircles the pulmonary vein.
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25. A method of making electrical contact with an annular region of tissue associated with pulmonary vein, comprising the steps of:
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introducing an expandable device, including an annular electrode structure and a support structure associated with the annular electrode structure, into the heart;
expanding the expandable device;
engaging the annular region of tissue with the annular electrode structure; and
engaging tissue other than the annular region of tissue with the support structure. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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27. An apparatus for forming a lesion in an annular tissue area associated with a pulmonary vein within heart, comprising:
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a carrier; and
an expandable device associated with the carrier including an annular energy transmission structure adapted to engage the annular tissue area and a support structure associated with the annular energy transmission device adapted to engage tissue other than the annular tissue area to fix the position of the annular energy transmission structure. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
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Specification