Method and apparatus for positioning a diagnostic or therapeutic element within the body and tip electrode for use with same

• US 6,645,200 B1
• Filed: 03/24/2000
• Issued: 11/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Scimed Life Systems Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Swanson, David K., Koblish, Josef V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peffley, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vrettakos, Peter J
• Application Number:
  US09/534,713
• Time in Patent Office: 1,327 Days
• Field of Search: 606/41, 606/46-47, 606/49, 607/99, 600/374, 600/393, 604/105
• US Class Current: 606/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1442 Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1482 having a long rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously in minimal invasive surgery, e.g. laparoscopy
• 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 2017/22038 with a guide wire
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00083 low, i.e. electrically insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00101 low, i.e. thermally insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00136 with polymer
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0016 Energy applicators arranged in a two- or three dimensional array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00214 Expandable means emitting energy, e.g. by elements carried thereon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00351 Heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00363 Epicardium
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00797 measured by multiple temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00821 measured by a thermocouple
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0091 Handpieces of the surgical instrument or device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00916 with means for switching or controlling the main function of the instrument or device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/124 switching the output to different electrodes, e.g. sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1253 monopolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/126 bipolar
• 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: A61B 2018/1475 : Electrodes retractable in or deployable from a housing

Abstract

Surgical methods and apparatus for positioning diagnostic an therapeutic elements on the epicardium or other organ surface.

Claims

1. A surgical device, comprising:

a relatively stiff, relatively short shaft defining a distal end and a proximal end;

a handle associated with the proximal end of the shaft;

a distal member, associated with the distal end of the shaft, including a flexible outer body and an inner structure having a flexible region and a malleable region located within the flexible outer body; and

an operative element carried by the distal member flexible outer body.

2. A surgical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shaft is malleable.

3. A surgical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shaft is rigid.

4. A surgical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operative element comprises a plurality of spaced electrodes that are coextensive with at least a portion of the flexible region and at least a portion of the malleable region.

5. A surgical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible region is located distally of the malleable region.

6. A surgical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distal member forms part of a loop structure.

7. A surgical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distal member defines a distal end, the surgical device further comprising:

a pull wire defining a distal end extending distally from the distal end of the distal member and a proximal end associated with the handle.

8. A surgical device as claimed in claim 7, further comprising:

a tubular member positioned around a predetermined portion of the shaft and covering a portion of the pull wire.

9. A surgical device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a pull wire associated with the distal member.

10. A surgical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operative element comprises a tip electrode having a pair of exterior openings.

11. A surgical device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the exterior openings are connected by a through hole extending through the tip electrode.

12. A surgical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the malleable region comprises a tapered malleable member.

13. A surgical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the malleable region comprises a malleable hypotube.

14. A surgical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible region comprises a spring member.

15. A surgical device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the spring member is flat.

16. A surgical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible outer body is formed from electrically insulating material.

17. A surgical device, comprising:

a relatively short shaft defining a distal end and a proximal end;

a handle associated with the proximal end of the shaft;

a distal member associated with the distal end of the shaft including a flexible region and a malleable region; and

an operative element carried by both the flexible region and the malleable region.

18. A surgical device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the shaft is malleable.

19. A surgical device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the shaft is rigid.

20. A surgical device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the operative element comprises a plurality of spaced electrodes.

21. A surgical device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the flexible region is located distally of the malleable region.