Method and apparatus for providing intra-pericardial access

• US 7,207,988 B2
• Filed: 06/26/2003
• Issued: 04/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Laske, Timothy G., Ujhelyi, Michael, Leckrone, Michael E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peffley; Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): TOY, ALEX B
• Application Number:
  US10/606,908
• Publication Number:
  US 20040087938A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,398 Days
• Field of Search: 606/41
• US Class Current: 606/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3417 Details of tips or shafts, e.g. grooves, expandable, bendable; Multiple coaxial sliding cannulas, e.g. for dilating syringe needles A61M5/32; dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3478 Endoscopic needles, e.g. for infusion biopsy needles A61B10/0233; catheters with injection needles A61M25/0067
• 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 2017/00247 Making holes in the wall of the heart, e.g. laser Myocardial revascularization
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22077 with a part piercing the tissue A61B2017/22044 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3443 with means for adjusting the length of a cannula
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3484 Anchoring means, e.g. spreading-out umbrella-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3488 Fixation to inner organ or inner body tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/349 Trocar with thread on outside
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00291 using suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00357 Endocardium
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00392 Transmyocardial revascularisation

Abstract

A method and apparatus for accessing the pericardial space which provides for stable short term or long term placement of a delivery catheter or cannula having its distal most end located in the pericardial space. The catheter or cannula may be introduced into the pericardial space either transvenously through the wall of a heart chamber or transthoracically by penetrating the chest wall and the pericardium. Some embodiments are provided with a mechanism for stabilizing the distal end of the catheter or cannula, which mechanism may employ an extensible elastic, generally tubular member located at the distal end of the catheter or cannula. The device may be provided with a mechanism for extending the tubular member longitudinally, causing its diameter to diminish substantially. The tubular member may be passed through the wall of the heart or the pericardium in its extended configuration and thereafter, the distal-most portion of the tubular member may be moved proximally, causing its diameter enlarge, anchoring the distal end of the catheter or cannula to the pericardium or to the wall of a heart chamber. In these embodiments, the device is preferably provided with a shoulder or flange located proximal to the extendible tubular member, for location on the opposite side of the heart wall or pericardium from the distal end of the catheter or cannula.

Claims

1. An ablation catheter, comprising:

a catheter body having proximal and distal ends and having a longitudinally extending internal lumen and carrying an elongated conductor therein;

a catheter head located at a distal portion of the catheter body, the catheter head provided with a longitudinally extending recess in fluid communication with the lumen of the catheter body and having flanges extending laterally from the recess; and

an electrode coupled to the conductor within the catheter body and extending along the recess.

2. An ablation catheter according to claim 1, wherein the electrode is located within the recess.

3. An ablation catheter, comprising:

a catheter body having proximal and distal ends and having a longitudinally extending internal lumen and carrying an elongated conductor therein;

a catheter head located at a distal portion of the catheter body, the catheter head provided with a longitudinally extending series of recesses in fluid communication with the lumen of the catheter body and having flanges extending laterally from the recesses; and

an electrode coupled to the conductor within the catheter body and extending along the series of recesses.

4. An ablation catheter according to claim 3, wherein the electrode being located alongside the recesses.

5. An ablation catheter, comprising:

a catheter body having proximal and distal ends and having a longitudinally extending internal lumen and carrying an elongated conductor therein;

a catheter head located at a distal portion of the catheter body, the catheter head provided with a recess in fluid communication with the lumen of the catheter body and having flanges extending laterally from the recess; and

an electrode coupled to the conductor within the catheter body and extending alongside the recess.

6. An ablation catheter, comprising:

a catheter body having proximal and distal ends and having a longitudinally extending internal lumen and carrying an elongated conductor therein;

a catheter head located at a distal portion of the catheter body, the catheter head provided with a recess in fluid communication with the lumen of the catheter body and having flanges extending laterally from the recess; and

an electrode coupled to the conductor within the catheter body and located within the recess.

7. A method of ablation, comprising:

advancing to a desired site an ablation catheter comprising a catheter body having proximal and distal ends and having a longitudinally extending internal lumen and carrying an elongated conductor therein;

a catheter head located at a distal portion of the catheter body, the catheter head provided with a longitudinally extending recess in fluid communication with the lumen of the catheter body and having flanges extending laterally from the recess; and

an electrode coupled to the conductor within the catheter body and extending along the recess;

applying suction to the lumen within the catheter body to draw tissue into the recess and into contact with the electrode; and

applying RF energy to the conductor.

8. A method of ablation, comprising:

advancing to a desired site an ablation catheter comprising a catheter body having proximal and distal ends and having a longitudinally extending internal lumen and carrying an elongated conductor therein;

a catheter head located at a distal portion of the catheter body, the catheter head provided with a longitudinally extending series of recesses in fluid communication with the lumen of the catheter body and having flanges extending laterally from the recesses; and

an electrode coupled to the conductor within the catheter body and extending along the series of recesses;

applying suction to the lumen within the catheter body to draw tissue against the recesses and into contact with the electrode; and

applying RF energy to the conductor.

9. A method of ablation, comprising:

advancing to a desired site an ablation catheter comprising a catheter body having proximal and distal ends and having a longitudinally extending internal lumen and carrying an elongated conductor therein;

a catheter head located at a distal portion of the catheter body, the catheter head provided with a recess in fluid communication with the lumen of the catheter body and having flanges extending laterally from the recess; and

an electrode coupled to the conductor within the catheter body and extending alongside the recess;

applying suction to the lumen within the catheter body to draw tissue against the recess and into contact with the electrode; and

applying RF energy to the conductor.

10. A method of ablation, comprising:

advancing to a desired site an ablation catheter comprising a catheter body having proximal and distal ends and having a longitudinally extending internal lumen and carrying an elongated conductor therein;

a catheter head located at a distal portion of the catheter body, the catheter head provided with a recess in fluid communication with the lumen of the catheter body and having flanges extending laterally from the recess; and

an electrode coupled to the conductor within the catheter body and located within the recess;

applying suction to the lumen within the catheter body to draw tissue into the recess and into contact with the electrode; and

applying RF energy to the conductor.