Percutaneous catheter and guidewire for filtering during ablation of mycardial or vascular tissue

• US 6,235,044 B1
• Filed: 08/04/1999
• Issued: 05/22/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Scimed Life Systems Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Maahs, Tracy D., Root, Jonathan D., Hahnen, Kevin
• Primary Examiner(s): Buiz, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Trinh, (Vikki) Hoa B.
• Application Number:
  US09/369,060
• Time in Patent Office: 657 Days
• Field of Search: 606/200, 606/194, 606/108, 606/41, 606/45, 606/127, 604/96, 604/104-106
• US Class Current: 606/200
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/02 by cooling, e.g. cryogenic techniques devices for cooling specific reflex points of the body within cell-life limits A61H39/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/18 by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves radiation therapy A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/24 with a catheter A61B18/26, A61B18/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00214 Expandable means emitting energy, e.g. by elements carried thereon

Abstract

An ablation catheter system for capturing and removing necrotic tissue and thrombi generated during an ablative procedure is disclosed. The catheter typically includes an elongate member, a filtration assembly disposed within the distal region, and an ablation instrument at the distal end. Alternatively, the ablation instrument is carried on the distal end of an ablation catheter, which is disposed within a lumen of the catheter system. The catheter may further include an aspiration port and lumen. Methods of using the devices in preventing distal embolization during ablative procedures are disclosed.

Claims

1. A percutaneous catheter for ablation of ectopic foci, comprising:

an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end;

an expandable filter mounted on a distal region of the elongate member;

means for ablating ectopic foci disposed at the distal end of the elongate member; and

wherein during use, the filter is expanded to capture necrosed tissue particles generated during the ablation.

2. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the means for ablating ectopic foci include a thermal ablation device.

3. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the means for ablating ectopic foci include a laser ablation device.

4. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the means for ablating ectopic foci include a microwave ablation device.

5. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the filter surrounds the ablation instrument.

6. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the filter is disposed proximal the ablation instrument.

7. The catheter of claim 6, wherein the filter has a proximal edge circumferentially in contact with an outer surface of the elongate member, and a distal edge which expands radially outward.

8. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the catheter includes a second lumen communicating with an aspiration port.

9. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the filter may be a basket.

10. A percutaneous guiding catheter system for ablation of ectopic foci, comprising:

an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therebetween;

an expandable filter mounted on a distal region of the elongate member; and

a catheter comprising means for ablating ectopic foci disposed within the lumen of the elongate member, and having an ablation instrument at its distal end.

11. The catheter of claim 10, wherein the means for ablating ectopic foci include a thermal ablation device.

12. The catheter of claim 10, wherein the means for ablating ectopic foci include a laser ablation device.

13. The catheter of claim 10, wherein the means for ablating ectopic foci include a microwave ablation device.

14. The catheter of claim 10, wherein the ablation instrument extends beyond the distal end of the elongate member.

15. The catheter of claim 10, wherein the catheter includes a second lumen communicating with an aspiration port.

16. The catheter of claim 10, wherein the filter has a proximal edge circumferentially in contact with an outer surface of the elongate member, and a distal edge which expands radially outward.

17. The catheter of claim 10, wherein the proximal end of the catheter is adapted for attachment to a vacuum.

18. The catheter of claim 10, wherein the filter is a basket.

19. A method for ablation of ectopic foci, comprising the steps of:

providing a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, an ablation instrument at the distal end, and a filter on a distal region of the elongate member;

inserting the catheter into a vessel;

positioning the ablation instrument adjacent the ectopic foci;

expanding the filter; and

ablating the ectopic foci, wherein necrosed tissue particles generated during ablation are captured by the filter.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the ectopic foci are located in the left atrium.