Loop structures for supporting diagnostic and therapeutic elements in contact with body tissue and expandable push devices for use with same

• US 6,908,464 B2
• Filed: 09/10/2003
• Issued: 06/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Hegde, Anant V., Swanson, David K., Jenkins, Thomas R., Thompson, Russell B., Burnside, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): GIBSON, ROY DEAN
• Application Number:
  US10/659,947
• Publication Number:
  US 20040059327A1
• Time in Patent Office: 650 Days
• Field of Search: 607/96, 607/98, 607/99, 607101-102, 607115-116, 607/122, 606/41, 606/49, 606/50
• US Class Current: 606/41
• 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 2018/00107 Coatings on the energy applicator
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00214 Expandable means emitting energy, e.g. by elements carried thereon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00285 Balloons
• 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 2018/00839 Bioelectrical parameters, e.g. ECG, EEG
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1407 Loop

Abstract

An apparatus that facilitates the creation of circumferential lesions in body tissue. The apparatus includes a first probe having a loop structure that supports electrodes or other operative elements against the body tissue and a second probe with an expandable push structure that may be used to urge the loop structure against body tissue.

Claims

1. A method of forming a lesion in body tissue, comprising the steps of:

positioning a first probe including a first probe body defining a proximal portion and a distal portion, a loop structure associated with the distal portion, and at least one operative element associated with the loop structure such that the loop structure is at least adjacent the tissue;

positioning a second probe including a second pmbe body defining a proximal portion and a distal portion and an expandable push structure associated with the distal portion such that the expandable push structure is adjacent the loop structure; and

urging the loop structure in the direction of the tissue with the expandable push structure.

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

inserting a predetermined portion of the second probe through the loop structure.

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

inserting the first and second probes into a sheath.

4. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the tissue is associated with a body orifice, the method further comprising the step of:

inserting the predetermined portion of the second probe into body orifice.

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

inserting a predetermined portion of the second probe through the loop structure prior to positioning the first probe adjacent the body tissue.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of positioning a first probe adjacent tissue comprises positioning the first probe adjacent heart tissue.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of positioning a first probe adjacent tissue comprises positioning the first probe adjacent pulmonary vein tissue.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of positioning a first probe adjacent tissue comprises passing the first probe through a lumen in the second probe.