Device and method for electrical isolation of the pulmonary veins
First Claim
1. A method of treating arterial fibrillation, comprising:
- circumferentially cutting the endothelium of the pulmonary vein at a location proximate the left atrium;
delivering a prosthetic structure to the location of the cut, the structure constructed and arranged to keep the cut open, thereby preventing the endothelium from reestablishing electrical communication between the pulmonary vein and the left atrium,wherein circumferentially cutting the endothelium of the pulmonary vein at a location proximate the left atrium comprises;
placing a cutting balloon in operable proximity to the location;
inflating the cutting balloon until a circumferential cut is effected in the endothelium of the pulmonary vein; and
,deflating the cutting balloon.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and device for the treatment of atrial fibrillation by inhibiting the flow of electricity from the pulmonary vein to the left atrium. The method includes inhibiting electrical flow by disabling the conductive fibers mechanically, using an incision (70), or via fibrosis, or chemically by applying toxic substances to the fibers. In one embodiment, a device (30) is useable to deliver a prosthetic structure (10) to the pulmonary vein that is useable to stretch the pulmonary vein, thereby inducing fibrosis, keeping the incision (70) open, or delivering a substance to the endothelium of the pulmonary vein. The structure (10) delivered by the device (30) is a self-expanding prosthetic structure. In another embodiment, a device (60) is useable to deliver and expand a prosthetic structure (10) that is expandable but not self-expanding.
49 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of treating arterial fibrillation, comprising:
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circumferentially cutting the endothelium of the pulmonary vein at a location proximate the left atrium; delivering a prosthetic structure to the location of the cut, the structure constructed and arranged to keep the cut open, thereby preventing the endothelium from reestablishing electrical communication between the pulmonary vein and the left atrium, wherein circumferentially cutting the endothelium of the pulmonary vein at a location proximate the left atrium comprises; placing a cutting balloon in operable proximity to the location; inflating the cutting balloon until a circumferential cut is effected in the endothelium of the pulmonary vein; and
,deflating the cutting balloon. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A device useable to deliver a prosthetic structure to the pulmonary vein of a patient for the treatment of atrial fibrillation, comprising:
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a catheter assembly having an atraumatic tip; a balloon, operably attached to the catheter assembly for inflation and deflation thereby; and
,a prosthetic structure, releasably attached to the catheter assembly, whereby said prosthetic structure can be released from the catheter assembly to be maintained in the pulmonary vein when the catheter assembly is withdrawn, wherein the balloon comprises a cutting balloon, useable to make a circumferential incision in the pulmonary vein to inhibit the flow of electrical current between the pulmonary vein and the left atrium. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification