Surgical method and apparatus for positioning a diagnostic or therapeutic element within the body

• US 6,786,905 B2
• Filed: 05/30/2002
• Issued: 09/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: EP Technology (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: EP Technology (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Snyder, Edward J., Jenkins, Thomas R., Thompson, Russell B., Koblish, Josef V., Swanson, David K., Fleischman, Sidney D., Whayne, James G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Application Number:
  US10/160,960
• Publication Number:
  US 20020151889A1
• Time in Patent Office: 831 Days
• Field of Search: 606/32, 606/41, 606/46, 606/47, 606/49, 606/51, 607/99, 600/374, 600/393, 604/105
• US Class Current: 606/32
• 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 2017/2911 rings
• 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 2018/00148 with metal
• 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 2018/00577 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 2018/00946 slidable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00952 rotatable
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/056 : Transvascular endocardial electrode systems

Abstract

A surgical method and apparatus for positioning a diagnostic or therapeutic element within the body. The apparatus may be catheter-based or a probe including a relatively short shaft.

Claims

1. A method of isolating a portion of the left atrium with a device having first and second electrode support members and first and second electrodes respectively carried by the first and second electrode support members, the method comprising the steps of:

positioning the first and second support members adjacent to respective atrial walls that are spaced from one another;

moving the first and second support members towards one another until the atrial walls are in contact with one another; and

transmitting energy to the atrial walls with at least one of the first and second electrodes.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of:

moving the first and second support members away from one another prior to positioning the first and second support members adjacent to respective atrial walls that are spaced from one another.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of moving the first and second support members towards one another until the atrial walls are in contact with one another comprises pivoting the first support member relative to the second support member until the atrial walls are in contact with one another.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of moving the first and second support members towards one another until the atrial walls are in contact with one another comprises manipulating a handle until the atrial walls are in contact with one another.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of transmitting energy to the atrial walls with at least one of the first and second electrodes comprises transmitting the energy from the first electrode to the second electrode through the atrial walls.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of transmitting energy to the atrial walls with at least one of the first and second electrodes comprises coagulating atrial wall tissue.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the step of transmitting energy to the atrial walls with at least one of the first and second electrodes comprises fusing the atrial walls to one another.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of positioning the first and second support members adjacent to respective atrial walls that are spaced from one another comprises positioning the first and second support members adjacent to respective atrial appendage walls that are spaced from one another.