Method and device for performing cooling- or cryo-therapies for, e.g., angioplasty with reduced restenosis or pulmonary vein cell necrosis to inhibit atrial fibrillation
First Claim
1. A method of reducing atrial fibrillation, comprising:
- inserting a catheter at least partially into the heart, the catheter having a balloon, a portion of the balloon located in the left atrium and a portion of the balloon located in a pulmonary vein;
inflating the balloon with a perfluorocarbon such that an exterior surface of the balloon is in contact with at least a partial circumference of the portion of the pulmonary vein adjacent the left atrium, the perfluorocarbon having a temperature in the range of about −
10°
C. to −
50°
C.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides an enhanced method and device to inhibit or reduce the rate of restenosis following angioplasty or stent placement. The invention involves placing a balloon tipped catheter in the area treated or opened through balloon angioplasty immediately following angioplasty. The balloon, which can have a dual balloon structure, may be delivered through a guiding catheter and over a guidewire already in place from a balloon angioplasty. A fluid such as a perfluorocarbon may be flowed into the balloon to freeze the tissue adjacent the balloon, this cooling being associated with reduction of restenosis. The catheter may also be used to reduce atrial fibrillation by inserting and inflating the balloon such that an exterior surface of the balloon is in contact with at least a partial circumference of the portion of the pulmonary vein adjacent the left atrium.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of reducing atrial fibrillation, comprising:
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inserting a catheter at least partially into the heart, the catheter having a balloon, a portion of the balloon located in the left atrium and a portion of the balloon located in a pulmonary vein;
inflating the balloon with a perfluorocarbon such that an exterior surface of the balloon is in contact with at least a partial circumference of the portion of the pulmonary vein adjacent the left atrium, the perfluorocarbon having a temperature in the range of about −
10°
C. to −
50°
C.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
inserting a wire capable of rupturing the atrial septum from the femoral vein into the right atrium;
forming a hole using the wire in the interatrial septum between the right atrium and the left atrium;
inserting a guide catheter into the right atrium;
inserting a guide wire through the guide catheter into the right atrium and further into a pulmonary vein;
disposing the catheter over the guidewire into a volume defined by the joint of the right atrium and the pulmonary vein.
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4. A catheter system for vessel ablation, comprising:
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a catheter shaft;
a warm balloon disposed on the catheter shaft, said warm balloon fluidically coupled to at least one lumen for inflating and deflating the warm balloon; and
a cold balloon disposed on the catheter shaft, said cold balloon fluidically coupled to two lumens for circulating a cold working fluid to and from the cold balloon, such that said cold balloon is located adjacent but proximal to said warm balloon. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of reducing atrial fibrillation, comprising:
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inserting a catheter at least partially into the heart, the catheter having a warm balloon and a cold balloon proximal of the warm balloon, at least a portion of the cold balloon located in the left atrium and at least a portion of the warm balloon located in a pulmonary vein;
inflating the warm balloon with a biocompatible fluid; and
inflating the cold balloon with a perfluorocarbon such that an exterior surface of the cold balloon is in contact with at least a partial circumference of the portion of the pulmonary vein adjacent the left atrium, the perfluorocarbon having a temperature in the range of about −
10°
C. to −
70°
C.- View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification