ABLATION DEVICE WITH IONICALLY CONDUCTIVE BALLOON

• US 20130066315A1
• Filed: 09/14/2012
• Published: 03/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Subramaniam, Raj, Koblish, Josef V., Tun, Zaya, Harvey, Guy R., Cao, Minhchau N., Sparks, Kurt D.
• Granted Patent: US 9,603,659 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00077 high, i.e. electrically conducting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0022 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00238 porous

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods for performing ablation therapy on body tissue are disclosed. An example ablation device for treating body tissue includes an ionically conductive balloon and a radio-frequency electrode that delivers RF energy into a distal section of the balloon. The balloon can have a composite structure with a non-conductive section and a conductive section. A method for fabricating a semi-permeable ablation balloon using ionizing radiation and an etching process is also disclosed.

Claims

1. An ablation device for treating body tissue, comprising:

an elongate shaft having a proximal section, a distal section, and at least one fluid lumen configured to receive an electrically conductive fluid;

an inflatable balloon coupled to the distal section of the shaft and including an interior section in fluid communication with the at least one fluid lumen for actuating the balloon between a collapsed state and an expanded state, wherein the balloon comprises a composite structure having a proximal balloon section including a first polymeric material and a distal balloon section including a second polymeric material different from the first material; and

at least one electrode located within the interior space of the balloon.

2. The ablation device of claim 1, wherein the first polymeric material is a hydrophobic polymer.

3. The ablation device of claim 1, wherein the second polymeric material is a hydrophilic polymer.

4. The ablation device of claim 1, further comprising at least one additional fluid lumen for recirculating fluid through the device.

5. The ablation device of claim 1, wherein, in the expanded state, the balloon is conically shaped.

6. The ablation device of claim 1, wherein the distal section of the balloon is invaginated.

7. The ablation device of claim 1, wherein the distal section of the balloon is semi-permeable.

8. The ablation device of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the balloon tapers along a length of the balloon from the proximal balloon section to the distal balloon section.

9. The ablation device of claim 1, wherein the balloon comprises a multi-layered structure.

10. The ablation device of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensing element coupled to the distal section of the balloon.

11. The ablation device of claim 1, further comprising at least one electrocardiogram sensor coupled to the distal section of the balloon.

12. The ablation device of claim 1, further comprising a spring-actuated plunger assembly configured to bias the balloon in the collapsed state.

13. The ablation device of claim 12, wherein the plunger assembly comprises a plunger mechanism and a spring configured to bias the plunger mechanism against the balloon.

14. The ablation device of claim 13, wherein the plunger mechanism includes a plunger shaft and an atraumatic tip.

15. The ablation device of claim 14, wherein the plunger shaft is slidably disposed within the catheter shaft and the electrode.

16. An ablation device for treating body tissue, comprising:

an elongate shaft having a proximal section, a distal section, and at least one fluid lumen configured to receive an electrically conductive fluid;

an inflatable balloon coupled to the distal section of the shaft and including an interior section in fluid communication with the at least one fluid lumen for actuating the balloon between a collapsed state and an expanded state;

at least one electrode located within the interior space of the balloon; and

a spring mechanism configured to bias the balloon in the collapsed state.

17. A method of forming a balloon of an ablation catheter, the balloon having a proximal section and a distal section, the method comprising:

masking the proximal section of the balloon;

irradiating the distal section of the balloon with an ionizing radiation source;

etching the balloon to form a plurality of micropores through the distal section of the balloon; and

securing the balloon to a catheter.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the ionizing radiation source comprises an argon ion source.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the proximal section of the balloon comprises a hydrophobic polymer and the distal section of the balloon comprises a hydrophilic polymer.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein a pore size of the micropores is between about 0.1 microns to 5 microns in diameter.