Suction stabilized epicardial ablation devices

• US 6,514,250 B1
• Filed: 04/27/2000
• Issued: 02/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Ocel, Jon M., Werness, Gregory P., Jensen, Donald N., Jahns, Scott E., Lipson, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Dvorak, Linda C. M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ruddy, David M.
• Application Number:
  US09/558,976
• Time in Patent Office: 1,013 Days
• Field of Search: 606/41-50, 607/101, 607/102, 607/119, 607/122, 607/126, 607/127, 607/128, 600/387
• US Class Current: 606/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1477 Needle-like probes
• 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 2017/00053 Mapping
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00092 using thermocouples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00203 with speech control or speech recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect for prostheses A61F2210/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0243 for immobilizing local areas of the heart, e.g. while it beats trocars attached to inner organs or inner body tissue A61B2017/3488
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/306 holding by means of suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00011 with fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00291 using suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00363 Epicardium
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00809 measured thermochromatically
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00839 Bioelectrical parameters, e.g. ECG, EEG
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1425 Needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/143 multiple needles

Abstract

A suction assisted ablation device having a support surface, suction elements disposed adjacent the support surface, at least one electrode and at least one suction conduit is provided. The device may further include fluid openings, which allow fluid to irrigate target tissue and aid in ablation. A method for ablating tissue using suction is also provided.

Claims

1. A suction assisted ablation device comprising:

a support surface;

at least three suction ports disposed adjacent the support surface, each of said at least three suction ports positioned adjacent the support surface in a linear arrangement with respect to each other and each of said at least three ports configured to pull a portion of epicardial tissue adjacent to each of the suction ports into the suction ports at an applied suction in the range of about 200 to 400 mm Hg;

a first elongated electrode disposed adjacent the support surface and extending adjacent a first side of each of the suction ports; and

a second elongated electrode disposed adjacent the support surface and extending adjacent a second side of each of the suction ports, the first and second electrodes disposed adjacent the support surface such that a linear transmural lesion may be formed in tissue within the suction ports by applying radio frequency energy to the tissue via the first and second electrodes.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a maneuvering apparatus operatively connected with the support surface.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the maneuvering apparatus comprises at least one pull wire.

4. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

at least one thermocouple element adjacent at least one of the suction ports.

5. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

at least one fluid opening disposed adjacent the support surface.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the fluid opening is located within at least one of the first and second electrodes.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second electrodes is made of a material capable of releasing fluid.

8. A method of ablating tissue, comprising:

providing a suction assisted ablation device comprising a support surface, at least three suction ports disposed adjacent the support surface and a first elongated electrode disposed adjacent the support surface and adjacent a first side of each of the suction ports and a second elongated electrode disposed adjacent the support surface and adjacent a second side of each of the suction ports;

placing the device adjacent an area of epicardial tissue;

grasping the area of epicardial tissue with suction applied through each of the suction ports such that a portion of the tissue is pulled into each of the suction ports; and

forming a linear, transmural lesion in the portion of tissue that has been pulled into each of the suction ports by applying radio frequency energy to the tissue via the first and second electrodes.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

providing at least one fluid outlet adjacent the support surface; and

releasing fluid via the fluid outlet.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the fluid outlet is located within at least one of the first and second electrodes.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the device is placed using a maneuvering apparatus.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

providing at least one temperature sensing element in communication with at least one of the suction ports; and

measuring a temperature using the temperature sensing element.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

ablating the tissue until the measurement of the thermal environment reaches a given level.