Sequential activation RF electrode set for renal nerve ablation
First Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- positioning a treatment element within a blood vessel lumen adjacent target tissue at a treatment site of a body, the treatment element comprising a plurality of electrodes defining an electrode set and arranged relative to one another at the treatment element;
maintaining a position of the treatment element relative to target tissue at the treatment site of the body during ablation; and
switchably activating and deactivating the electrodes in a predetermined sequence to generate overlapping zones of heating directed at the target tissue;
the zones of heating overlapping to define a distal zone associated with relatively high current densities at a distance from the treatment element sufficient to ablate the target tissue and a proximal zone associated with current densities lower than those of the distal zone that cause no or negligible thermal injury to tissue at the treatment site adjacent the treatment element.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A catheter includes a flexible shaft having a length sufficient to access a patient'"'"'s renal artery. A treatment element at the distal end of the shaft is dimensioned for deployment within the renal artery. The treatment element comprises a radially expandable structure configured to maintain positioning within the renal artery. A multiplicity of electrodes are spaced apart on the treatment element and configured for switchable activation and deactivation in a predetermined sequence to generate overlapping zones of heating directed at perivascular nerves of the renal artery. The overlapping heating zones comprise a distal zone associated with relatively high current densities at a distance from the treatment element sufficient to ablate the perivascular renal nerves and a proximal zone associated with current densities lower than those of the distal zone and insufficient to cause thermal injury to tissue of the renal artery adjacent the treatment element.
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Citations
4 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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positioning a treatment element within a blood vessel lumen adjacent target tissue at a treatment site of a body, the treatment element comprising a plurality of electrodes defining an electrode set and arranged relative to one another at the treatment element; maintaining a position of the treatment element relative to target tissue at the treatment site of the body during ablation; and switchably activating and deactivating the electrodes in a predetermined sequence to generate overlapping zones of heating directed at the target tissue; the zones of heating overlapping to define a distal zone associated with relatively high current densities at a distance from the treatment element sufficient to ablate the target tissue and a proximal zone associated with current densities lower than those of the distal zone that cause no or negligible thermal injury to tissue at the treatment site adjacent the treatment element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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Specification