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 EMPLOYING MICROPOROUS BALLOON
First Claim
1. A method of reducing atrial fibrillation, comprising:
- inserting a catheter at least partially into the heart, the catheter having a cold balloon having at least one pore formed therein, a portion of the balloon located in the left atrium and a portion of the balloon located in a pulmonary vein;
inflating the cold balloon with a perfluorocarbon such that an exterior surface of the cold balloon, and the portion of the perfluorocarbon emergent from the at least one pore, 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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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An enhanced method and device are provided to inhibit or reduce restenosis following angioplasty or stent placement. A porous balloon-tipped catheter is disposed 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. A fluid such as a perfluorocarbon flows into the balloon to freeze the tissue adjacent the balloon, this cooling being associated with reduction of restenosis. A similar catheter may be used to reduce atrial fibrillation by inserting and inflating the porous balloon such that an exterior surface of the balloon, as well as a portion of the cold working fluid, from the microporosity contacts at least a partial circumference of the portion of the pulmonary vein adjacent the left atrium.
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Citations
12 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 cold balloon having at least one pore formed therein, a portion of the balloon located in the left atrium and a portion of the balloon located in a pulmonary vein;
inflating the cold balloon with a perfluorocarbon such that an exterior surface of the cold balloon, and the portion of the perfluorocarbon emergent from the at least one pore, 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, 4, 5)
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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5. The method of claim 1, further comprising disposing a warm fluid balloon distal of the cold balloon.
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6. 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;
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.;
wherein the cold balloon has at least one pore formed therein; and
further comprising leaking a portion of the perfluorocarbon into the space defined between the cold balloon and the at least a partial circumference of the portion of the pulmonary vein adjacent the left atrium. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. A device to reduce atrial fibrillation, comprising:
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a catheter, the catheter having a warm balloon and a cold balloon proximal of the warm balloon, at least a portion of the cold balloon locatable in the left atrium and at least a portion of the warm balloon locatable in a pulmonary vein;
a source of warm biocompatible fluid to inflate the warm balloon;
a source of cold perfluorocarbon to inflate the cold balloon, such that an exterior surface of the cold balloon is contactable 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.;
wherein the cold balloon has at least one pore formed therein. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. A catheter system to treat restenosis or atrial fibrillation, 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;
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; and
a gear pump for circulating the cold working fluid.
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Specification