Electrical block positioning devices and methods of use therefor

• US 7,097,643 B2
• Filed: 03/02/2004
• Issued: 08/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Syntach AG
• Original Assignee: Sinus Rhythm Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Cornelius, Richard, Swanson, William
• Primary Examiner(s): Peffley, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): VRETTAKOS, PETER J
• Application Number:
  US10/792,111
• Publication Number:
  US 20040215186A1
• Time in Patent Office: 910 Days
• Field of Search: 606 27- 52, 128/898
• US Class Current: 606/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/02 by cooling, e.g. cryogenic techniques devices for cooling specific reflex points of the body within cell-life limits A61H39/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1477 Needle-like probes
• 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 18/18 by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves radiation therapy A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00247 Making holes in the wall of the heart, e.g. laser Myocardial revascularization
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22038 with a guide wire
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3484 Anchoring means, e.g. spreading-out umbrella-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3486 Balloon
• 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 2018/00267 having a basket shaped structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00279 deployable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00285 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00345 Vascular system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00375 Ostium, e.g. ostium of pulmonary vein or artery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00392 Transmyocardial revascularisation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00404 Blood vessels other than those in or around the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00839 Bioelectrical parameters, e.g. ECG, EEG
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00898 Alarms or notifications created in response to an abnormal condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1425 : Needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/144 : Wire
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1475 : Electrodes retractable in or deployable from a housing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/11 : with guides for needles or instruments, e.g. arcuate slides or ball joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 : Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0068 : Static characteristics of the catheter tip, e.g. shape, atraumatic tip, curved tip or tip structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0074 : Dynamic characteristics of the catheter tip, e.g. openable, closable, expandable or deformable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0082 : Catheter tip comprising a tool
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/04 : in the body, e.g. expansible A61M25/10, A61M16/0488 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0662 : Guide tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/02 : Localised ultrasound hyperthermia hyperthermia in general A61F7/00
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2201/12 : Shape memory

Abstract

The present invention provides positioning mechanisms for devices that cause conduction blocks or ablation in desired areas of tissue. The positioning mechanisms allow for variable geometry of the target sites and enable more accurate therapy at the tissue site.

Claims

1. A method of positioning an ablation device within a body comprising:

providing an ablation tool having an elongated body and a flexible electrode disposed between at least two arm members on a distal end of said ablation tool, said flexible electrode being more flexible than said at least two arm members;

directing said distal end of said ablation tool to a target tissue area within said body;

expanding said flexible electrode;

contacting said flexible electrode to substantially conform to a surface of said target tissue area;

ablating at least a surface of said target tissue area;

pivoting one end of said flexible electrode around an opposite end of said flexible electrode;

contacting said flexible electrode to a new surface of said target tissue area;

ablating said new surface of said target tissue.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising a repetition of said pivoting, said contacting and said ablating until said target tissue is fully ablated.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said opposite end of said flexible electrode is fixated in said target tissue with a needle during said pivoting.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein prior to said pivoting, a needle in said opposite end of said flexible electrode is extended to penetrate said target tissue and thereby stabilize said opposite end of said flexible electrode.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein prior to said pivoting, both said end and said opposite end of said flexible electrode are stabilized in said target tissue with a needle.