Structures and methods for deploying electrode elements

• US 6,544,262 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2001
• Issued: 04/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: EP Technology (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: EP Technology (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Fleischman, Sidney D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee
• Application Number:
  US09/795,627
• Publication Number:
  US 20010007939A1
• Time in Patent Office: 769 Days
• Field of Search: 606/41, 606/45, 606/47, 606/49, 600/374, 607/122, 607/126, 607/99
• US Class Current: 606/41
• 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 18/1815 using microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2911 rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00083 low, i.e. electrically insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00148 with metal
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00214 Expandable means emitting energy, e.g. by elements carried thereon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00916 with means for switching or controlling the main function of the instrument or device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00946 slidable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00952 rotatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1407 Loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/142 at least partly surrounding the target, e.g. concave, curved or in the form of a cave
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/056 Transvascular endocardial electrode systems

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.

Claims

1. An apparatus for forming a lesion in a circumferential tissue area within the heart, comprising:

a carrier; and

a device associated with the carrier including a circumferential lesion formation structure defining a periphery and adapted to engage the circumferential tissue area and a support structure adapted to support the circumferential lesion formation structure at at least two points along its periphery.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carrier comprises a catheter.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the circumferential lesion formation structure is substantially annular.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the circumferential lesion formation structure is substantially circular.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the circumferential lesion formation structure comprises at least one electrode.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the circumferential lesion formation structure comprises an energy emitting structure.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the circumferential lesion formation structure comprises a plurality of electrodes.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the circumferential lesion formation structure is flexible.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device comprises a collapsible/expandable device.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of flexible splines.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises a first loop structure and the circumferential lesion formation structure comprises a second loop structure support.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first loop structure defines a first loop structure plane and the second loop structure defines a second loop structure plane substantially perpendicular to the first loop structure plane.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the circumferential tissue area comprises a circumferential tissue area associated with a pulmonary vein and the circumferential lesion formation structure defines a size and shape corresponding to the circumferential tissue area associated with the pulmonary vein.

14. A method of forming a lesion in a substantially circular region of tissue associated with a pulmonary vein, the method comprising the step of:

introducing an expandable device, including a support structure and a lesion formation structure defining a periphery, into the left atrium of the heart;

expanding the expandable device;

engaging the substantially circular region of tissue with the lesion formation structure;

supporting the lesion formation structure with the support structure at at least two points along the periphery of the lesion formation structure; and

forming a lesion in the substantially circular region of tissue with the lesion formation structure.

15. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the step of introducing an expandable device into the left atrium comprises:

directing a vascular introducer into the heart;

collapsing the expandable device; and

passing the collapsed expandable device through the vascular introducer.

16. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the step of expanding the expandable device comprises advancing the expandable device out of the introducer.

17. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the step of forming a lesion in the substantially circular region of tissue comprises supplying energy to the substantially circular region of tissue.

18. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the step of supporting the lesion formation structure comprises urging the lesion formation structure against substantially circular region of tissue with the support structure.

19. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the step of supporting the lesion formation structure comprises engaging tissue other than the substantially circular region of tissue with the support structure.