Irrigation probe for ablation during open heart surgery

• US 7,764,994 B2
• Filed: 12/31/2003
• Issued: 07/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biosense Webster Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Biosense Webster Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Hill, Irma, Fuimaono, Kristine B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lucchesi; Nicholas D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bouchelle; Laura A
• Application Number:
  US10/750,497
• Publication Number:
  US 20040210213A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,400 Days
• Field of Search: 606/41, 606/32, 604/264, 604/21
• US Class Current: 604/21
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1482 having a long rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously in minimal invasive surgery, e.g. laparoscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00029 open
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00821 measured by a thermocouple

Abstract

An irrigation probe useful for ablation during open heart surgery is provided. The irrigation probe comprises a generally rigid probe body and a handle mounted to the proximal end of the probe body. The generally rigid probe body has an electrode at its distal end having at least one irrigation opening through which fluid can pass. An infusion tube extends through the probe body for introducing fluid to the electrode.

Claims

1. An irrigation probe comprising:

a generally rigid probe body comprising;

a generally rigid tubular body having proximal and distal ends, wherein the tubular body has at least one irrigation opening at its distal end through which fluid can pass, and

a non-conductive sheath covering the tubular body;

a generally flexible irrigation tube having first and second ends, the irrigation tube defining an inner cavity, wherein the irrigation tube generally forms a loop and at least one end is fixedly attached to the distal end of the probe body, the irrigation tube having at least one irrigation opening through which fluid can pass from the inner cavity to the outside of the irrigation tube;

an electrode comprising an exposed flexible metal ribbon having first and second ends, wherein the metal ribbon is coiled around the irrigation tube to form coils, and wherein space is provided between the coils to allow fluid to pass from the irrigation tube to the outside of the electrode;

a handle mounted to the proximal end of the probe body; and

an infusion tube having proximal and distal ends, wherein the distal end of the infusion tube is in fluid communication with the inner cavity.

2. An irrigation probe according to claim 1, wherein the tubular body has an inner diameter ranging from about 0.40 inch to about 0.80 inch and an outer diameter ranging from about 0.50 inch to about 0.90 inch.

3. An irrigation probe according to claim 1, wherein the tubular body is made of a malleable material.

4. An irrigation probe according to claim 1, further comprising a flexible plastic tubing attached to the proximal end of the tubular body for introducing fluid into the tubular body.

5. An irrigation probe according to claim 1, wherein both ends of the irrigation tube are fixedly attached to the distal end of the probe body.

6. An irrigation probe according to claim 5, wherein the first end of the irrigation tube is fixedly attached to a first position on the distal end of the probe body, and the second end of the irrigation tube is fixedly attached to a second position, different from the first position, on the distal end of the probe body.

12. A method for treating atrial fibrillation in a patient comprising:

opening the head of the patient; and

ablating at least one linear lesion in the head tissue using an irrigation probe as recited in claim 1.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the tubular body has an inner diameter ranging from about 0.40 inch to about 0.80 inch and an outer diameter ranging from about 0.50 inch to about 0.90 inch.

14. A method according to claim 12, wherein the tubular body is made of a malleable material.

15. A method according to claim 12, further comprising a flexible plastic tubing attached to the proximal end of the tubular body for introducing fluid into the tubular body.

7. An irrigation probe comprising:

a generally rigid probe body comprising;

a tubing having proximal and distal ends and first and second lumens extending therethrough,

an infusion tube extending at least part of the way through the first lumen of the tubing, and

a stiffening wire having proximal and distal ends, the stiffening wire extending through the second lumen of the tubing;

a generally flexible irrigation tube having first and second ends, the irrigation tube defining an inner cavity, wherein the irrigation tube generally forms a loop and at least one end is fixedly attached to the distal end of the probe body, the irrigation tube having at least one irrigation opening through which fluid can pass from the inner cavity to the outside of the irrigation tube;

an electrode comprising an exposed flexible metal ribbon having first and second ends, wherein the metal ribbon is coiled around the irrigation tube to form coils, and wherein space is provided between the coils to allow fluid to pass from the irrigation tube to the outside of the electrode; and

a handle mounted to the proximal end of the probe body;

wherein the irrigation tube and the electrode are mounted at the distal end of the tubing of the probe body, and wherein the distal end of the infusion tube of the probe body is in fluid communication with the inner cavity of the irrigation tube.

8. An irrigation probe according to claim 7, wherein the stiffening wire is made of a malleable material.

9. An irrigation probe according to claim 7, wherein the probe body has a length ranging from about 3.5 inches to about 12 inches.

10. An irrigation probe according to claim 7, wherein the probe body has a length ranging from about 7 inches to about 8 inches.

11. An irrigation probe according to claim 7, wherein both ends of the irrigation tube are fixedly attached to the distal end of the probe body.

16. A method for treating atrial fibrillation in a patient comprising:

opening the heart of the patient; and

ablating at least one linear lesion in the heart tissue using an irrigation probe as recited in claim 7.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the stiffening wire is made of a malleable material.

18. A method according to claim 16, wherein the probe body has a length ranging from about 3.5 inches to about 12 inches.

19. A method according to claim 16, wherein the probe body has a length ranging from about 7 inches to about 8 inches.

20. An irrigation probe comprising:

a generally rigid probe body comprising;

a generally rigid tubular body having proximal and distal ends, wherein the tubular body has at least one irrigation opening at its distal end through which fluid can pass, and

a non-conductive sheath covering the tubular body;

a generally flexible irrigation tube having first and second ends, the irrigation tube defining an inner cavity, wherein the irrigation tube generally forms a loop and at least one end is fixedly attached to the distal end of the probe body, the irrigation tube having at least one irrigation opening through which fluid can pass from the inner cavity to the outside of the irrigation tube;

an electrode comprising an exposed flexible metal ribbon having first and second ends, wherein the metal ribbon is coiled around from about 1% to 100% of the length of the loop formed by the irrigation tube, the metal ribbon forming coils, wherein space is provided between the coils to allow fluid to pass from the irrigation tube to the outside of the electrode;

a handle mounted to the proximal end of the probe body; and

an infusion tube having proximal and distal ends, wherein the distal end of the infusion tube is in fluid communication with the inner cavity.

21. An irrigation probe according to claim 20, wherein the metal ribbon electrode is coiled around from about 20% to about 80% of the length of the loop formed by the irrigation tube.

22. An irrigation probe according to claim 20, wherein the metal ribbon electrode is coiled around from about 40% to about 60% of the length of the loop formed by the irrigation tube.

23. An irrigation probe according to claim 20, wherein both ends of the irrigation tube are fixedly attached to the distal end of the probe body.

24. An irrigation probe according to claim 23, wherein the first end of the irrigation tube is fixedly attached to a first position on the distal end of the probe body, and the second end of the irrigation tube is fixedly attached to a second position, different from the first position, on the distal end of the probe body.

29. A method for treating atrial fibrillation in a patient comprising:

opening the heart of the patient; and

ablating at least one linear lesion in the heart tissue using an irrigation probe as recited in claim 20.

25. An irrigation probe comprising:

a generally rigid probe body comprising;

a tubing having proximal and distal ends and first and second lumens extending therethrough,

an infusion tube extending at least part of the way through the first lumen of the tubing, and

a stiffening wire having proximal and distal ends, the stiffening wire extending through the second lumen of the tubing;

a generally flexible irrigation tube having first and second ends, the irrigation tube defining an inner cavity, wherein the irrigation tube generally forms a loop and at least one end is fixedly attached to the distal end of the probe body, the irrigation tube having at least one irrigation opening through which fluid can pass from the inner cavity to the outside of the irrigation tube;

an electrode comprising an exposed flexible metal ribbon having first and second ends, wherein the metal ribbon is coiled around from about 1% to 100% of the length of the loop formed by the irrigation tube, the metal ribbon forming coils, wherein space is provided between the coils to allow fluid to pass from the irrigation tube to the outside of the electrode; and

a handle mounted to the proximal end of the probe body;

wherein the irrigation tube and the electrode are mounted at the distal end of the tubing of the probe body, and wherein the distal end of the infusion tube of the probe body is in fluid communication with the inner cavity of the irrigation tube.

26. An irrigation probe according to claim 25, wherein the metal ribbon electrode is coiled around from about 20% to about 80% of the length of the loop formed by the irrigation tube.

27. An irrigation probe according to claim 25, wherein the metal ribbon electrode is coiled around from about 40% to about 60% of the length of the loop formed by the irrigation tube.

28. An irrigation probe according to claim 25, wherein the first end of the irrigation tube is fixedly attached to a first position on the distal end of the probe body, and the second end of the irrigation tube is fixedly attached to a second position, different from the first position, on the distal end of the probe body.

30. A method for treating atrial fibrillation in a patient comprising:

opening the heart of the patient, and

ablating at least one linear lesion in the heart tissue using an irrigation probe as recited in claim 25.