Probes having helical and loop shaped inflatable therapeutic elements
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A probe, comprising:
- a probe body defining a distal region and a proximal region; and
an inflatable therapeutic element carried by the distal region of the probe body, movable between a coiled state and an uncoiled state, and including a conductive region formed from a porous material that does not permit significant transfer of fluid therethrough.
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Abstract
A probe that facilitates the creation of circumferential lesions in body tissue. The probe includes a probe body and an inflatable helical or loop shaped therapeutic element.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A probe, comprising:
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a probe body defining a distal region and a proximal region; and
an inflatable therapeutic element carried by the distal region of the probe body, movable between a coiled state and an uncoiled state, and including a conductive region formed from a porous material that does not permit significant transfer of fluid therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A probe, comprising:
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a probe body defining a distal region, a proximal region and a probe body axis; and
an inflatable therapeutic element carried by the probe body and defining proximal and distal longitudinal ends, the inflatable therapeutic element being movable between a coiled state wherein the inflatable therapeutic element extends around a therapeutic element axis to define an open region and at least the proximal longitudinal end is substantially spaced from the therapeutic element axis, and an uncoiled state wherein the longitudinal ends of the inflatable therapeutic element are substantially aligned with the therapeutic element axis. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of performing tissue therapy with a probe including an inflatable therapeutic element, the method comprising the steps of:
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advancing the probe to a target tissue region;
coiling the inflatable therapeutic element;
inflating the inflatable therapeutic element with an electrically conductive fluid; and
performing a therapeutic operation with the inflatable therapeutic element coiled and inflated. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of performing tissue therapy with a probe including an inflatable therapeutic element, the method comprising the steps of:
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advancing the probe to a target tissue region;
coiling the inflatable therapeutic element;
inflating the inflatable therapeutic element; and
forming a lesion with the inflatable therapeutic element coiled and inflated. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A probe, comprising:
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a probe body; and
an inflatable therapeutic element carried by the probe body and defining proximal and distal longitudinal ends, the inflatable therapeutic element being movable between a relaxed state wherein the inflatable therapeutic element extends around a therapeutic element axis and the longitudinal ends are substantially aligned with one another, and a substantially straightened state wherein the longitudinal ends of the inflatable therapeutic element are substantially spaced apart and substantially aligned with the therapeutic element axis. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification