Laser pulmonary vein isolation
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for electrically isolating a cardiac chamber, comprising:
- a laser;
an intravascular catheter for introduction into a pulmonary vein proximate an ostium thereof;
an anchor disposed at a distal end of said catheter for fixation thereof at said pulmonary vein; and
an optical assembly for conducting laser light energy from said laser in a path extending to a circumferential ablation region within or adjacent an inner lining of said pulmonary vein, said optical assembly being substantially in a non-contacting relationship with said anchor, said path for laser light energy avoiding said anchor;
wherein said optical assembly comprises;
an optical fiber for conducting said laser light energy from said laser;
a lens disposed at a distal end of said optical fiber; and
a reflector disposed in said path between said lens and said anchor, said reflector being external to an outer surface of said anchor for directing said laser light energy in a circumferential line.
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Abstract
A catheter introduction apparatus provides an optical assembly for emission of laser light energy. In one application, the catheter and the optical assembly are introduced percutaneously, and transseptally advanced to the ostium of a pulmonary vein. An anchoring balloon is expanded to position a mirror near the ostium of the pulmonary vein, such that light energy is reflected and directed circumferentially around the ostium of the pulmonary vein when a laser light source is energized. A circumferential ablation lesion is thereby produced, which effectively blocks electrical propagation between the pulmonary vein and the left atrium.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. An apparatus for electrically isolating a cardiac chamber, comprising:
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a laser;
an intravascular catheter for introduction into a pulmonary vein proximate an ostium thereof;
an anchor disposed at a distal end of said catheter for fixation thereof at said pulmonary vein; and
an optical assembly for conducting laser light energy from said laser in a path extending to a circumferential ablation region within or adjacent an inner lining of said pulmonary vein, said optical assembly being substantially in a non-contacting relationship with said anchor, said path for laser light energy avoiding said anchor;
wherein said optical assembly comprises;
an optical fiber for conducting said laser light energy from said laser;
a lens disposed at a distal end of said optical fiber; and
a reflector disposed in said path between said lens and said anchor, said reflector being external to an outer surface of said anchor for directing said laser light energy in a circumferential line. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for electrically isolating a cardiac chamber, comprising the steps of:
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introducing an apparatus for electrically isolating a cardiac chamber, comprising;
an intravascular catheter for introduction into a pulmonary vein proximate an ostium thereof;
an anchor disposed at a distal end of said catheter for fixation thereof at said pulmonary vein; and
an optical assembly for conducting laser light energy in a path extending to a circumferential ablation region within or adjacent an inner lining of said pulmonary vein, said optical assembly is substantially in a non-contacting relationship with said anchor, said path for laser light energy avoiding said anchor;
introducing the optical assembly at said pulmonary vein proximate an ostium of said pulmonary vein;
anchoring said optical assembly at said pulmonary vein using said anchor; and
thereafter conducting laser light energy in a path extending from said optical assembly to a circumferential ablation region within or adjacent the inner lining of said pulmonary vein. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification