Tissue ablation device assembly and method for electrically isolating a pulmonary vein ostium from an atrial wall

• US 6,652,515 B1
• Filed: 11/05/1999
• Issued: 11/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Atrionix, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Atrionix, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Lesh, Michael D., Peacock, James C. III, Maguire, Mark A., Carcamo, Edward L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gibson, Roy D.
• Application Number:
  US09/435,281
• Time in Patent Office: 1,481 Days
• Field of Search: 601/2, 606/32, 606/41, 606/49, 606/40, 606/45, 606/46, 606/47, 607/96, 607/99, 607/122
• US Class Current: 606/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/00 Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/08 by means of electrically-heated 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 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00011 with fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00065 porous
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00101 low, i.e. thermally 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 2018/00232 having an irregular shape
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00238 porous
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/143 multiple needles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1432 curved
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/002 Irrigation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/1002 characterised by balloon shape A61M25/1006, A61M25/1009 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/02 Localised ultrasound hyperthermia hyperthermia in general A61F7/00

Abstract

This invention is related to a tissue ablation system and method that treats atrial arrhythmia by ablating a circumferential region of tissue at a location where a pulmonary vein extends from an atrium. The system includes a circumferential ablation member with an ablation element and also includes a delivery assembly for delivering the ablation member to the location. The circumferential ablation member is generally adjustable between different configurations to allow both the delivery through a delivery sheath into the atrium and the ablative coupling between the ablation element and the circumferential region of tissue.

Claims

1. A tissue ablation system for treating atrial arrhythmia by ablating a circumferential region of tissue at a location where a pulmonary vein extends from an atrium, comprising:

a delivery member with a proximal end portion and a distal end portion having a longitudinal axis and a radial axis; and

a contact member located along the distal end portion and which is adjustable between a first condition and a second condition, wherein in the first condition the contact member is adapted to be delivered through a delivery sheath into the atrium, and wherein in the second condition the contact member comprises a circumferential wall that surrounds the longitudinal axis; and

an ablation element having an ablative energy source that is located along the distal end portion, wherein the ablation element cooperates with the contact member such that the ablative energy source emits a circumferential pattern of energy having a distal orientation through the circumferential wall and into a circumferential area normal to the circumferential wall without coupling an electrical current between the ablative energy source and the circumferential area, wherein the ablation element and contact member are configured such that the circumferential area coincides with the circumferential region of tissue when the contact member is adjusted to the second condition at the location.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the contact member comprises an inflatable balloon, the circumferential wall comprises an outer skin of the balloon, and the ablative energy source is adapted to emit the circumferential pattern of energy through the outer skin of the balloon and into the circumferential region of tissue.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the ablation element comprises a thermal ablation element.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the ablation element comprises an ultrasound ablation element.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the ablation element comprises a microwave ablation element.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the ablation element comprises a cryoablation element.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the ablation element comprises a fluid delivery element.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the ablation element comprises a light emitting ablation element.

9. A tissue ablation system for treating atrial arrhythmia by ablating a circumferential region of tissue at a location where a pulmonary vein extends from an atrium, comprising:

a delivery member with a proximal end portion and a distal end portion having a longitudinal axis and a radial axis;

a contact member located along the distal end portion and which is adjustable between a first condition and a second condition, wherein in the first condition the contact member is adapted to be delivered through a delivery sheath into the atrium, and wherein in the second condition the contact member comprises a circumferential wall that surrounds the longitudinal axis; and

an ultrasound transducer assembly mounted onto the distal end portion of the delivery member and having a distally oriented face, wherein the ultrasound transducer cooperates with the contact member to emit a circumferential pattern of ultrasonic energy signal distally at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis and through the circumferential wall of the contact member and into a circumferential area normal to the circumferential wall without coupling an electrical current between the ablative energy source and the circumferential area, and wherein the ultrasound transducer and contact member are configured such that the circumferential area coincides with the circumferential region of tissue when the contact member is adjusted to the second condition at the location.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the ultrasound transducer assembly comprises a conically shaped transducer with an outer conical surface having a distal orientation.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the ultrasound transducer assembly comprises a curved distal face.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the ultrasound transducer assembly comprises at least one ultrasound transducer panel that is adjustable from a radially collapsed position to a radially extended position having a distally oriented face that is adapted to emit the circumferential pattern of energy with the distal orientation.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the transducer panel is adjustable with an expandable member located between the panel and the distal end portion of the delivery member.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the expandable member comprises a balloon.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the expandable member comprises a cage.