Endocardial dispersive electrode for use with a monopolar RF ablation pen
First Claim
1. A method for forming a lesion in cardiac tissue, the method comprising:
- providing a first RF electrode coupled to a RF current source;
providing a second RF electrode electrically coupled to form a current path for the first RF electrode, wherein the second RF electrode includes an electrically conductive envelope surface defining an interior volume within, wherein the envelope has a first, unexpanded configuration and a second, expanded configuration, wherein the second configuration has an interior volume greater that the first configuration interior volume;
making an incision in a heart chamber wall;
inserting the second electrode through the incision and into the heart chamber interior;
expanding the second electrode conductive surface to the second configuration to contact a target region of the heart chamber endocardium; and
disposing the first electrode against the target region epicardium while applying RF current between the first and second electrodes.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and devices for forming a lesion in a target tissue having a cavity within. A first RF electrode and a second RF electrode can be coupled to opposite poles of an RF current source. The second electrode can be inserted into the tissue cavity and expanded to contact the target tissue from within. The first electrode can be externally disposed against the target tissue while applying RF current between the first and second electrodes to ablate the target tissue. Some methods are directed to ablating tribiculated atrial wall tissue to treat atrial fibrillation. The second electrode can contact the tribiculated tissue directly from within to provide a direct path between the two electrodes. In some methods, the second electrode is inserted through an incision made to remove an atrial appendage. The methods can provide deeper, narrower lesions relative to those made using remote, indifferent electrodes. Atrial fibrillation ablation procedures can be performed using the invention, requiring fewer incisions than conventional methods.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for forming a lesion in cardiac tissue, the method comprising:
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providing a first RF electrode coupled to a RF current source; providing a second RF electrode electrically coupled to form a current path for the first RF electrode, wherein the second RF electrode includes an electrically conductive envelope surface defining an interior volume within, wherein the envelope has a first, unexpanded configuration and a second, expanded configuration, wherein the second configuration has an interior volume greater that the first configuration interior volume; making an incision in a heart chamber wall; inserting the second electrode through the incision and into the heart chamber interior; expanding the second electrode conductive surface to the second configuration to contact a target region of the heart chamber endocardium; and disposing the first electrode against the target region epicardium while applying RF current between the first and second electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for forming a lesion in cardiac tissue, the method comprising:
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providing a first RF electrode coupled to a RF current source; providing a second RF electrode electrically coupled to form a current path for the first RF electrode, wherein the second RF electrode includes an electrically conductive envelope surface defining an interior volume within, wherein the envelope has a first, unexpanded configuration and a second, expanded configuration, wherein the second configuration has an interior volume greater that the first configuration interior volume; making an incision in a heart chamber wall; inserting the second electrode through the incision and into the heart chamber interior; expanding the second electrode conductive surface to the second configuration to contact a target region of the heart chamber endocardium; disposing the first electrode against the target region epicardium while applying RF current between the first and second electrodes; and wherein making the incision includes amputating the left atrial appendage. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for performing a maze procedure to treat atrial fibrillation by ablating atrial tissue to form at least one lesion in the atrial tissue, the method comprising:
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providing a first RF electrode coupled to one pole of an RF current source; providing a second RF electrode electrically coupled to the other pole of the RF current source; inserting the second electrode into the atrial chamber; disposing the first electrode against the target tissue and drawing paths with the first electrode to form the maze lesions while applying RF current between the first and second electrodes to ablate the target tissue in a maze pattern, wherein the inserting is done through an incision made at the atrial appendage; and wherein the incision is made to remove the left atrial appendage, and wherein the method does not include making any other incisions in the left atrium.
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17. A method for performing a maze procedure to treat atrial fibrillation by ablating atrial tissue to form at least one lesion in the atrial tissue, the method comprising:
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providing a first RF electrode coupled to one pole of an RF current source; providing a second RF electrode electrically coupled to the other pole of the RF current source; inserting the second electrode into the atrial chamber; disposing the first electrode against the target tissue and drawing paths with the first electrode to form the maze lesions while applying RF current between the first and second electrodes to ablate the target tissue in a maze pattern, wherein the inserting is done through an incision made at the atrial appendage; and wherein the incision is made to remove the left atrial appendage, wherein the method does not include making an atriotomy in the inter-atrial groove between the left and right atria.
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Specification