Atrial fibrillation RF treatment device and method
First Claim
1. An RF treatment device for creating transmural lesions in tissue, die device comprising:
- an electrode holder;
a plurality of tissue penetrating RF needle electrodes arranged in a single linear array, without additional RF electrodes, to create a continuous trausmural lesion, each of the RF needle electrodes having a length of at least 4 mm; and
an RF energy source connected to each of the RF needle electrodes with alternating electrodes connected to opposite polarities of the RF energy source.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An RF treatment device according to the present invention includes one or two radio frequency electrode holders each having multiple electrodes arranged to create a transmural lesion through tissue. The treatment device is placed with one holder placed on the endocardial surface of the heart wall with the electrodes protruding towards the epicardial surface of the heart and the other optional holder placed on the epicardial surface of the heart with the electrodes protruding towards the endocardial surface of the heart forming a bipolar arrangement of equally spaced electrodes. The embodiments of the present invention are described for use in creating a transmural lesion in heart tissue to treat atrial fibrillation by blocking the passage of abnormal electrical currents through the heart. However, the devices and methods may also be used to create continuous transmural lesions in heart tissue and other body organs and tissues to treat other conditions. Although the invention is primarily described with respect to the application of RF bi-polar energy, the devices may also be used to apply other types of energy, such as cryo, ultrasound, microwave, heat, or other electrical means of providing an interruption to the abnormal electrical circuits at given regions.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. An RF treatment device for creating transmural lesions in tissue, die device comprising:
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an electrode holder;
a plurality of tissue penetrating RF needle electrodes arranged in a single linear array, without additional RF electrodes, to create a continuous trausmural lesion, each of the RF needle electrodes having a length of at least 4 mm; and
an RF energy source connected to each of the RF needle electrodes with alternating electrodes connected to opposite polarities of the RF energy source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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15. An RF treatment device for creating transmural lesions in tissue, the device comprising;
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an electrode holder;
a plurality of tissue penetrating RF needle electrodes arranged in a single linear array to create a continuous transmural lesion, each of the RF needle electrodes having a length or at least 4 mm; and
an RF energy source connected to each of the RF needle electrodes with alternating electrodes connected to opposite polarities of the RF energy source; and
a temperature sensing member positioned between two of the RF needle electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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21. An RF treatment device for creating transmural lesions in tissue, the device comprising:
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an electrode holder;
plurality of tissue penetrating RF needle electrodes arranged in a single linear array to create a continuous transmural lesion, each of the RF needle electrodes having a length of at least 4 mm; and
an RF energy source connected to each of the RF needle electrodes with alternating electrodes connected to opposite polarities of the RF energy source; and
means for aiding penetration including coating or lubricants.
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22. An RF treatment device for creating transmural lesions in heart tissue, the device comprising:
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an electrode holder;
a plurality of tissue penetrating RF needle electrodes arranged in a single linear array, without additional RF electrodes, to create a continuous transmural lesion, each of the RF needle electrodes having a length sufficient to create a transmural lesion through the entire thickness of the tissue of the heart wall; and
an RF energy source connected to each of the RF needle electrodes with alternating electrodes connected to opposite polarities of the RF energy source. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of treating atrial fibrillations comprising:
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penetrating heart tissue to the treated with an RF treatment device comprising a plurality of tissue penetrating RF needle electrodes arranged in a single linear array, with alternating electrodes having opposite polarities; and
applying radio frequency energy to form a transmural lesion which provides a barrier across an entire thickness of the heart tissue to prevent the passage of abnormal electrical currents through the heart tissue. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A medical device for creating transmural lesions in tissue, the device comprising:
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an electrode holder;
a plurality of tissue penetrating needle electrodes arranged in a single linear array, without additional RF electrodes, the single linear array with alternating electrodes having opposite polarities to create a continuous transmural lesion, each of the needle electrodes having a length sufficient to create a transmural lesion through the tissue of the heart wall; and
an energy source connected to each of the needle electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39)
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Specification