Flexible recording/high energy electrode catheter with anchor for ablation of atrial flutter by radio frequency energy
First Claim
1. A catheter for treating atrial flutter and like conditions using radio frequency energy, comprising:
- a flexible elongate tubular body having a lumen;
at least one electrode positioned on a portion of said tubular body for supplying energy to a target area for treatment;
an anchoring device provided at a distal end of said elongate tubular body for anchoring said tubular body at an anchoring location away from the target area such that said at least one electrode overlies the target area for treatment;
a removable stylet positioned in said lumen for remotely controlling said anchoring device; and
a guiding sheath for receiving said flexible elongate tubular body and having at least one bend or angulation for assisting in molding the portion of said tubular body carrying said at least one electrode for placement over the target treatment area.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrode catheter is provided having a predetermined flexibility throughout the entire length or at least at the contact portion, such as the electrode region, to allow for the molding of the contact portion such that it conforms to the shape of the heart at a preselected desired target area, such as the isthmus between the inlet of inferior vena cava and posterior tricuspid annulus. The catheter also includes a guiding sheath that is preferably semirigid and may be pre-shaped with at least one bend or angulation to assist in molding to ensure that the electrode region overlies the desired target treatment area. A remotely controlled anchoring device is provided at the distal end of the catheter for anchoring it in position to facilitate the molding operation and placement over the target treatment area. A method of cardiac ablation using the catheter of the present invention is also disclosed.
103 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A catheter for treating atrial flutter and like conditions using radio frequency energy, comprising:
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a flexible elongate tubular body having a lumen;
at least one electrode positioned on a portion of said tubular body for supplying energy to a target area for treatment;
an anchoring device provided at a distal end of said elongate tubular body for anchoring said tubular body at an anchoring location away from the target area such that said at least one electrode overlies the target area for treatment;
a removable stylet positioned in said lumen for remotely controlling said anchoring device; and
a guiding sheath for receiving said flexible elongate tubular body and having at least one bend or angulation for assisting in molding the portion of said tubular body carrying said at least one electrode for placement over the target treatment area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A catheter for treating atrial flutter and like conditions using radio frequency energy, comprising:
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a flexible elongate tubular body having a lumen;
a flexible spring coil and at least one conductor in said tubular body;
at least one flexible electrode positioned substantially away from a distal end of said tubular body in juxtaposition with the flexible spring coil and in electrical communication with said at least one conductor;
an anchoring device provided at the distal end of said elongate tubular body for anchoring said tubular body in place such that said at least one electrode is positioned over a target area for treatment; and
a removable stylet positioned in said lumen for remotely controlling the operation of said anchoring device, whereby the coaction of the anchoring device and the flexibility provided by said coil spring allows the at least one electrode of the catheter to be easily molded, positioned over and held in stable contact with the target area. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A catheter for treating atrial flutter and like conditions using radio frequency energy to ablate at least a portion of the cardiac isthmus, comprising:
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a flexible elongate tubular body having a lumen;
at least one electrode positioned on said tubular body;
an anchoring device provided at a distal end of said elongate tubular body for anchoring said tubular body in place;
a removable stylet positioned in said lumen for remotely controlling the operation of said anchoring device; and
a guiding sheath for receiving said flexible elongate tubular body and having a pre-shaped bend or angulation for molding a portion of said tubular body carrying the at least one electrode to form a curved segment for placement in contact with at least a portion of the cardiac isthmus once the anchoring device is in place. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification