Irrigation probe for ablation during open heart surgery
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An irrigation ablation probe comprising:
- an elongated probe body having a length between proximal and distal ends and comprising an elongated ablation electrode extending the length of the elongated probe body, wherein the elongated ablation electrode defines an inner cavity, the elongated ablation electrode having at least one irrigation opening through which fluid can pass from the inner cavity to the outside of the elongated ablation electrode, the ablation electrode being generally rigid from its proximal end to its distal end so that the ablation electrode cannot bend during ablation, and wherein the elongated ablation electrode has an exposed distal portion that is generally straight and forms an angle α
greater than 0°
with the remainder of the elongated probe body, the angle α
being preformed;
a sheath positioned on the elongated ablation electrode and configured to define the exposed distal portion, wherein the elongated ablation electrode has a length greater than a length of the sheath;
means for introducing fluid into the inner cavity; and
a handle mounted at the proximal end of the elongated probe body, the handle comprising a housing having a generally open interior receiving a proximal end of the elongated ablation electrode;
wherein the elongated ablation electrode remains in a fixed position relative to the elongated probe body and the handle during operation of the probe.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An irrigation ablation probe comprises a generally rigid probe body and a handle mounted to the proximal end of the probe body. The generally rigid probe body comprises an ablation electrode at its distal end having at least one irrigation opening through which fluid can pass. An infusion tube extends through the probe body for introducing fluid into the ablation electrode. The irrigation ablation probe is useful for treating atrial fibrillation during open heart surgery.
-
Citations
56 Claims
-
1. An irrigation ablation probe comprising:
-
an elongated probe body having a length between proximal and distal ends and comprising an elongated ablation electrode extending the length of the elongated probe body, wherein the elongated ablation electrode defines an inner cavity, the elongated ablation electrode having at least one irrigation opening through which fluid can pass from the inner cavity to the outside of the elongated ablation electrode, the ablation electrode being generally rigid from its proximal end to its distal end so that the ablation electrode cannot bend during ablation, and wherein the elongated ablation electrode has an exposed distal portion that is generally straight and forms an angle α
greater than 0°
with the remainder of the elongated probe body, the angle α
being preformed;
a sheath positioned on the elongated ablation electrode and configured to define the exposed distal portion, wherein the elongated ablation electrode has a length greater than a length of the sheath;
means for introducing fluid into the inner cavity; and
a handle mounted at the proximal end of the elongated probe body, the handle comprising a housing having a generally open interior receiving a proximal end of the elongated ablation electrode;
wherein the elongated ablation electrode remains in a fixed position relative to the elongated probe body and the handle during operation of the probe. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 53)
-
-
14. An irrigation ablation probe comprising:
-
an elongated probe body having a length between proximal and distal ends and comprising an elongated tubular ablation electrode extending the length of the elongated probe body, the elongated tubular ablation electrode having at least one irrigation opening through which fluid can pass to the outside of the elongated tubular ablation electrode, the elongated probe body being generally rigid from its proximal end to its distal end so that the body cannot bend during ablation, and wherein the elongated tubular ablation electrode is generally rigid and has an exposed distal portion is generally straight and forms an angle α
greater than 0°
with the remainder of the elongated probe body, the angle α
being preformed;
a non-conductive sheath positioned on the elongated tubular ablation electrode and configured to define the exposed distal portion, wherein the elongated ablation electrode has a length greater than a length of the sheath;
a handle mounted to the proximal end of the elongated probe body, the handle comprising a housing having a generally open interior receiving a proximal end of the elongated ablation electrode; and
an infusion tube having proximal and distal ends and extending through the elongated probe body for introducing fluid into the elongated tubular ablation electrode, the distal end of the infusion tube being attached to the elongated tubular ablation electrode;
wherein the elongated ablation electrode remains in a fixed position relative to the elongated probe body and the handle during operation of the probe. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 54, 55, 56)
-
Specification