Method of magnetically navigating medical devices with magnetic fields and gradients, and medical devices adapted therefor
First Claim
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1. A method of applying an elongate magnetic member having a length to the surface of an internal body structure, the method comprising the steps of:
- applying a magnetic field to the elongate magnetic element to orient the elongate magnetic element is a selected orientation; and
applying a magnetic gradient to the elongate magnetic element to draw the elongate magnetic element lengthwise against the surface of the body.
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Abstract
A method of applying an elongate magnetic element to the surface of an internal body structure includes applying a magnetic field to the elongate magnetic element to orient the elongate magnetic element in a selected orientation; and applying a magnetic gradient to the elongate magnetic element to draw the elongate magnetic element against the surface of the body structure.
396 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of applying an elongate magnetic member having a length to the surface of an internal body structure, the method comprising the steps of:
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applying a magnetic field to the elongate magnetic element to orient the elongate magnetic element is a selected orientation; and
applying a magnetic gradient to the elongate magnetic element to draw the elongate magnetic element lengthwise against the surface of the body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of applying a medical device, comprising an elongate magnetic element having a length, to the surface of an internal body structure, the method comprising the steps of:
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navigating the distal end of a catheter to the internal body structure;
deploying the magnetic medical device from the distal end of the catheter;
apply a magnetic field to the elongate magnetic element to orient the elongate magnetic element in a selected orientation; and
applying a magnetic gradient to the elongate magnetic element to draw the elongate magnetic element lengthwise against the surface of the body structure. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of ablating a line of tissue in a structure in the body, the method comprising:
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navigating the distal end of a catheter to the body structure;
deploying an ablation tool from the distal end of the catheter, the ablation tool comprising an elongate magnetic element having a length and at least one ablation contact;
applying a magnetic field to the elongate magnetic element to orient the elongate magnetic element in a selected orientation;
applying a magnetic gradient to the elongate magnetic element to draw the elongate magnetic element against the surface of the body structure substantially along the length of the elongate magnetic element to bring the ablation contacts in contact with the body structure; and
operating the ablation contacts to effect ablation of the tissue adjacent the ablation contacts.
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20. A method of mapping the tissue in a structure in the body, the method comprising:
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navigating the distal end of a catheter to the body structure;
deploying a mapping tool from the distal end of the catheter, the mapping tool comprising an elongate magnetic element having a length and a plurality of mapping contacts;
applying a magnetic field to the elongate magnetic element to orient the elongate magnetic element in a selected orientation; and
applying a magnetic gradient to the elongate magnetic clement to draw the elongate magnetic element lengthwise against the surface of the body structure to bring the mapping contacts into contact with the body structure;
operating the mapping contacts to measure a property of the tissue adjacent the mapping contacts.
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21. A method of applying an elongate magnetically responsive magnetic element to the surface of an internal body structure, the method comprising:
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navigating the distal end of a sheath containing the magnetically responsive element to the internal body structure;
deploying the magnetically responsive element from the sheath by applying a magnetic field to the magnetically responsive element to stiffen the magnetically responsive element, and pushing the magnetically responsive element from the distal end of the sheath;
applying a magnetic field to the elongate magnetic element to orient the elongate magnetic element in a selected orientation; and
applying a magnetic gradient to the elongate magnetic element against the surface of the body structure substantially along the length of the elongate magnetic element.
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22. A method of applying an elongate magnetically responsive magnetic element to the surface of an internal body structure comprising:
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applying a magnetic field and gradient to the magnetically responsive magnetic element to apply the magnetic element having a length to the surface of the internal body structure substantially along the length of the elongate magnetic element;
localizing the magnetic element;
determining the force acting on the magnetically responsive magnetic element; and
adjusting the magnetic field and gradient to achieve a selected force of application. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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25. A method of forming linear lesions on the surface of an internal body structure, comprising:
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navigating a catheter having an elongate magnetic element associated with its distal end to the body structure, the elongate magnetic element having a plurality of ablation contacts thereon;
applying a magnetic field and an oblique gradient to the elongate magnetic element to align the elongate magnetic element in the desired position and pull the elongate magnetic element lengthwise into contact with the surface of the internal body structure; and
operating the ablation contacts to ablate the tissue in contact therewith and form a linear lesion.
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Specification