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Vacuum-stabilized ablation system

  • US 9,314,298 B2
  • Filed: 06/01/2011
  • Issued: 04/19/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2007
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A tissue ablation catheter comprising:

  • an elongate catheter body with a central longitudinal axis, the catheter body having at least a first lumen and a second lumen extending longitudinally through the catheter body, wherein the elongate catheter body is deflectable;

    an ultrasound ablation element positioned within a distal region of the elongate catheter body, the ultrasound ablation element comprising;

    an ultrasound transducer; and

    a membrane extending over at least a portion of the ultrasound transducer, thereby defining a cavity between the membrane and the ultrasound transducer,wherein the second lumen is coupled to the cavity to define a fluid pathway;

    a first orifice in the elongate catheter body proximal of the ultrasound ablation element and open to the first lumen to define a first vacuum pathway;

    a distal vacuum chamber defined by the elongate catheter body distal of the ultrasound ablation element and in communication with the first lumen to define a second vacuum pathway;

    a second orifice in the elongate catheter body distal of the ultrasound ablation element and open to the distal vacuum chamber; and

    at least one flow control apparatus positioned to regulate flow through one of the vacuum pathways independent of flow through the other vacuum pathway.

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