Method of ablating body tissue

• US 6,475,213 B1
• Filed: 01/27/2000
• Issued: 11/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: EP Technology (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: EP Technology (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Swanson, David K., Whayne, James G.
• Primary Examiner(s): COHEN, LEE S
• Application Number:
  US09/491,877
• Time in Patent Office: 1,013 Days
• Field of Search: 606/34, 606/41, 607/99, 607/105, 607/113, 607/122, 604/21, 600/374
• US Class Current: 606/34
• 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 2017/00053 Mapping
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22051 with an inflatable part, e.g. balloon, for positioning, blocking, or immobilisation A61B2017/22048, A61B2017/3486 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22061 for spreading elements apart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00065 porous
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00083 low, i.e. electrically insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00095 high, i.e. heat conducting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00107 Coatings on the energy applicator
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00113 with foam
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00148 with metal
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00214 Expandable means emitting energy, e.g. by elements carried thereon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0022 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00267 having a basket shaped structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00839 Bioelectrical parameters, e.g. ECG, EEG
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1253 monopolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1472 for use with liquid electrolyte, e.g. virtual electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/002 Irrigation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 29/085 Macromolecular materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 29/145 Hydrogels or hydrocolloids
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/10 : Macromolecular materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/145 : Hydrogels or hydrocolloids
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/056 : Transvascular endocardial electrode systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/06 : for high-frequency therapy
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 1/02 : Cellulose; Modified cellulose

Abstract

Electrode structures are formed from flexible, porous, or woven materials. One such structure is made by forming first and second body sections, each including a peripheral edge. The first and second body sections are joined together about their peripheral edges with a seam, thereby forming a composite structure. Another one of such structures is made by forming a body having a three. dimensional shape and opposite open ends, and at least partially closing at least one of the opposite ends by forming a seam. Another one of such structures is formed from a sheet of material having peripheral edges. The sheet is placed on the distal end of a fixture, while the peripheral edges of the sheet are gathered about the proximal end of a fixture, thereby imparting to the sheet a desired shape. At least one pleat is formed to secure the gathered peripheral edges together. The seams or pleats are formed by thermal bonding, or ultrasonic welding, or laser welding, or adhesive bonding, or sewing.

Claims

1. A method of ablating body tissue using a porous electrode assembly, comprising:

providing a body adapted to transmit electrical energy, at least a portion of the body including a hydrophilic material;

ablating body tissue with said body.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the hydrophilic material comprises regenerated cellulose.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the hydrophilic material comprises nylon 6.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the hydrophilic material comprises nylon 6/6.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the hydrophilic material includes a hydrophilic coating.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the body includes pores sized to pass ions contained in a medium without allowing substantial liquid perfusion.

7. A method of ablating body tissue using a porous electrode assembly, comprising:

providing an electrode assembly including a wall having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface surrounding an interior area, the interior area adapted to receive a medium containing ions, and an element adapted to couple the medium to a source of electrical energy, wherein at least a portion of the wall comprises a porous hydrophilic material sized to pass ions contained in the medium without allowing substantial liquid perfusion, thereby enabling ionic transport of electrical energy through the porous material to the exterior surface of the wall;

ablating body tissue with said electrode assembly.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the hydrophilic material comprises regenerated cellulose.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the hydrophilic material comprises nylon 6.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the hydrophilic material comprises nylon 6/6.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the hydrophilic material includes a hydrophilic coating.