Apparatus and method for treating cardiovascular diseases
First Claim
1. A removable apparatus for temporary implantation in a pulmonary vein for ablating atrial tissue surrounding the antrum of the pulmonary vein to treat atrial fibrillation in a subject, said apparatus comprising:
- an electrically-insulated expandable support member having a first mesh-like configuration, oppositely disposed proximal and distal end portions, and a main body portion extending between said end portions for positioning in the pulmonary vein, said proximal end portion including at least one annularly disposed wing member that extends from said main body portion, said at least one wing member having a free end and being defined by oppositely disposed first and second major surfaces, said at least one wing member independently comprising a second mesh-like configuration, said distal end portion adapted for insertion into the pulmonary vein to accurately position said proximal end portion at the antrum;
when temporarily implanted, said first major surface for facing the interior of the atrial chamber and said second major surface having a shape configured to conform to the surface topography of the antrum of the pulmonary vein;
said at least one wing member including at least one ablation element for delivering electrical energy to the atrial tissue, said at least one ablation element being located at said free end of said at least one wing member; and
a retrieval mechanism for removing said expandable support member, said retrieval mechanism including at least one electrically-conductive wire, said at least one wire being separately connected to said at least one wing member.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A removable apparatus is provided for temporary implantation in a pulmonary vein for ablating atrial tissue surrounding the antrum of the pulmonary vein to treat atrial fibrillation in a subject. The apparatus comprises an electrically-insulated expandable support member and a retrieval mechanism. The support member has oppositely disposed proximal and distal end portions and a main body portion extending between the end portions. The proximal end portion includes at least one annularly disposed wing member, and has a free end defined by oppositely disposed first and second major surfaces. The at least one wing member includes at least one ablation element located at the free end thereof. The retrieval mechanism is for removing the support member and for energizing the at least one ablation element. The retrieval mechanism includes at least one electrically-conductive wire, which is separately connected to the at least one wing member.
29 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A removable apparatus for temporary implantation in a pulmonary vein for ablating atrial tissue surrounding the antrum of the pulmonary vein to treat atrial fibrillation in a subject, said apparatus comprising:
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an electrically-insulated expandable support member having a first mesh-like configuration, oppositely disposed proximal and distal end portions, and a main body portion extending between said end portions for positioning in the pulmonary vein, said proximal end portion including at least one annularly disposed wing member that extends from said main body portion, said at least one wing member having a free end and being defined by oppositely disposed first and second major surfaces, said at least one wing member independently comprising a second mesh-like configuration, said distal end portion adapted for insertion into the pulmonary vein to accurately position said proximal end portion at the antrum; when temporarily implanted, said first major surface for facing the interior of the atrial chamber and said second major surface having a shape configured to conform to the surface topography of the antrum of the pulmonary vein; said at least one wing member including at least one ablation element for delivering electrical energy to the atrial tissue, said at least one ablation element being located at said free end of said at least one wing member; and a retrieval mechanism for removing said expandable support member, said retrieval mechanism including at least one electrically-conductive wire, said at least one wire being separately connected to said at least one wing member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 19)
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15. A method for treating atrial fibrillation in a subject, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a removable apparatus comprising an electrically-insulated expandable support member and a retrieval mechanism, the expandable support member having oppositely disposed proximal and distal end portions and a main body portion extending between the end portions, the proximal end portion including at least one annularly disposed wing member that extend from the main body portion, each of the at least one wing member having a free end and being defined by oppositely disposed first and second major surfaces, each of the at least one wing member including at least one ablation element located at the free end thereof, the retrieval mechanism including at least one electrically-conductive wire, the at least one wire being separately connected to the at least one wing member; inserting the expandable support member into a pulmonary vein so that the distal end portion of the main body portion is disposed in the lumen of the pulmonary vein; deploying the at least one wing member so that the second surface of the at least one wing member extends substantially radial to the main body portion of the expandable support member and firmly engages the atrial tissue surrounding the pulmonary vein; delivering electrical energy to the at least one ablation element to substantially ablate the atrial tissue; operating the retrieval mechanism to collapse the expandable support member; and withdrawing the expandable support member from the pulmonary vein. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification