RF energy delivery system and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An ablation catheter comprising:
- an elongate shaft comprising a proximal section and a distal section, wherein the proximal section has a first durometer and the distal section has a second durometer;
a joint adapted to join the proximal section to the distal section in an eccentric fashion such that the proximal section and distal section each occupy an unequal portion of a diameter of the elongate shaft at the joint, the joint configured to cause the elongate shaft to assume a first geometry when deflected in a first direction relative to the joint and to assume a second geometry when deflected in a second direction relative to the joint, the first geometry being different than the second geometry;
at least one steering wire configured to deflect the elongate shaft; and
at least one electrode positioned along the elongate shaft, the at least one electrode configured to deliver ablation energy to tissue.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for the ablation of tissue. A steerable ablation catheter can include one or more ablation elements at its distal end and one or more ablation elements fixedly attached to its shaft. The distal end of the ablation catheter can be deflected to assume a number of different deflection geometries in at least one direction along the shaft. One feature of the ablation catheter is that its shaft can comprise materials of differing durometers or stiffnesses attached together at a joint. Methods associated with use of the ablation catheter are also covered.
45 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An ablation catheter comprising:
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an elongate shaft comprising a proximal section and a distal section, wherein the proximal section has a first durometer and the distal section has a second durometer; a joint adapted to join the proximal section to the distal section in an eccentric fashion such that the proximal section and distal section each occupy an unequal portion of a diameter of the elongate shaft at the joint, the joint configured to cause the elongate shaft to assume a first geometry when deflected in a first direction relative to the joint and to assume a second geometry when deflected in a second direction relative to the joint, the first geometry being different than the second geometry; at least one steering wire configured to deflect the elongate shaft; and at least one electrode positioned along the elongate shaft, the at least one electrode configured to deliver ablation energy to tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An ablation catheter comprising:
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an elongate shaft comprising a proximal section and a distal section, wherein the proximal section has a first stiffness and the distal section has a second stiffness; a joint extending over a length and being adapted to join the proximal section to the distal section so that the elongate shaft transitions from the first stiffness to the second stiffness along a length of the joint, a portion of the proximal section extending distally into the distal section over the length of the joint and a portion of the distal section extending proximally into the proximal section over the length of the joint; at least one steering wire configured to deflect the elongate shaft; and at least one electrode positioned along the elongate shaft, the at least one electrode configured to deliver ablation energy to tissue. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of deflecting a catheter having a shaft, the method comprising:
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deflecting the catheter in a first direction relative to a joint in the shaft that transitions from a first durometer to a second durometer to form a first deflection geometry; deflecting the catheter in a second direction relative to the joint to form a second deflection geometry, wherein the second deflection geometry is different than the first deflection geometry, the joint being an eccentric staircase joint comprising a first durometer portion and a second durometer portion, the second durometer portion occupying a greater portion of a diameter of the catheter shaft at the joint than the first durometer portion.
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Specification