Suction stabilized epicardial ablation devices

• US 6,887,238 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2003
• Issued: 05/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Werness, Greg P., Jensen, Donald N., Keogh, James R., Jahns, Scott E., Ocel, Jon M., Lipson, David, Francischelli, David E.
• Primary Examiner(s): PEFFLEY, MICHAEL F
• Application Number:
  US10/375,612
• Publication Number:
  US 20030167056A1
• Time in Patent Office: 796 Days
• Field of Search: 606/41, 606/42, 606 45- 50, 607101-102, 607/119, 607/122, 607126-128, 601/6, 601/7, 600/387
• US Class Current: 606/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1477 Needle-like probes
• 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 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00092 using thermocouples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00203 with speech control or speech recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect for prostheses A61F2210/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0243 for immobilizing local areas of the heart, e.g. while it beats trocars attached to inner organs or inner body tissue A61B2017/3488
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/306 holding by means of suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00011 with fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00291 using suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00363 Epicardium
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00809 measured thermochromatically
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00839 Bioelectrical parameters, e.g. ECG, EEG
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1425 Needle

Abstract

A suction assisted ablation device having a support surface, suction elements disposed adjacent the support surface, at least one electrode and at least one suction conduit is provided. The device may further include fluid openings, which allow fluid to irrigate target tissue and aid in ablation. A method for ablating tissue using suction is also provided.

Claims

1. A system for suction assisted ablation for creating a tissue ablation site, the system comprising:

a tissue contact surface;

a plurality of suction ports positioned substantially linearly along the tissue contact surface and capable of drawing a portion of tissue at least partially within the suction ports upon application of suction;

a suction conduit for providing suction from a suction source to the suction ports, the suction conduit operatively connected with the suction ports;

a first elongated energy transfer element positioned along the tissue contact surface and extending adjacent a first side of each of the suction ports;

a second elongated energy transfer element positioned along the tissue contact surface and extending adjacent a second side of each of the suction ports, said first and second energy transfer elements capable of forming a linear transmural lesion in the portion of tissue drawn within the suction ports by application of energy via the first and second energy transfer elements;

a sensor sensing a parameter or characteristic relating to the tissue ablation site positioned along the tissue contact surface; and

means for automatically stopping ablation in response to a signal from the sensor.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a maneuvering apparatus operatively connected with the tissue contact surface.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the maneuvering apparatus includes at least one pull wire.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the maneuvering apparatus includes a handle.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the handle comprises one or more hinges or joints.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the one or more hinges or joints are actuated remotely.

7. The system of claim 4 wherein the handle is shapeable.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the tissue contact surface is flexible.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the tissue contact surface is shaped to conform to the tissue ablation site.

10. The system of claim 1 further comprising a suction source operatively connected to the suction conduit.

11. The system of claim 10 further comprising one or more surgeon-controlled switches operatively connected to the suction source.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the system further comprises means for varying energy supplied to the energy transfer elements in response to the sensed parameter or characteristic of the tissue ablation site.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the parameter or characteristic is temperature.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the parameter or characteristic is impedance.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein the parameter or characteristic is pressure.

16. The device of claim 1 wherein the system further comprises an output device for alerting or informing a practitioner regarding the parameter or characteristic of the tissue ablation site sensed by the sensor.

17. The system of claim 1 further comprising an electrical source operatively coupled to the energy transfer elements.

18. The system of claim 1 further comprising an RF energy source operatively coupled to the energy transfer elements.

19. The system of claim 1 further comprising a laser energy source operatively coupled to the energy transfer elements.

20. The system of claim 1 further comprising a thermal energy source operatively coupled to the energy transfer elements.

21. The system of claim 1 further comprising an ultrasound energy source operatively coupled to the energy transfer elements.

22. The system of claim 1 further comprising a microwave energy source operatively coupled to the energy transfer elements.

23. A system for suction assisted ablation for creating a tissue ablation site, the system comprising:

a tissue contact surface;

a plurality of suction ports positioned generally linearly along the tissue contact surface and capable of drawing a portion of tissue at least partially within the suction ports upon application of suction;

a suction conduit for providing suction from a suction source to the suction port, the suction conduit operatively connected with the suction ports;

a first elongated energy transfer element positioned along the tissue contact surface and extending adjacent a first side of each of the suction ports;

a second elongated energy transfer element positioned alone the tissue contact surface and extending adjacent a second side of each of the suction ports, said first and second energy transfer elements capable of forming a substantially linear transmural lesion in the portion of tissue drawn within the suction ports by application of energy via the first and second energy transfer elements;

a sensor sensing a parameter or characteristic relating to the tissue ablation site positioned along the tissue contact surface; and

means for varying suction communicated to the suction ports in response to the sensed parameter or characteristic.

24. The system of claim 23 further comprising a maneuvering apparatus operatively connected with the tissue contact surface.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein the maneuvering apparatus includes a handle.

26. The system of claim 23 wherein the tissue contact surface is flexible.

27. The system of claim 23 wherein the tissue contact surface is shaped to conform to the tissue ablation site.

28. The system of claim 23 further comprising one or more surgeon-controlled switches operatively connected to the suction source.

29. The system of claim 23 wherein the parameter or characteristic is temperature.

30. The system of claim 23 wherein the parameter or characteristic is impedance.

31. The system of claim 23 wherein the parameter or characteristic is pressure.

32. The system of claim 23 wherein the system further comprises an output device for alerting or informing a practitioner regarding the parameter or characteristic of the tissue ablation site sensed by the sensor.

33. The system of claim 23 further comprising an electrical source operatively coupled to the energy transfer elements.

34. The system of claim 23 further comprising an RF energy source operatively coupled to the energy transfer elements.

35. The system of claim 23 further comprising a laser energy source operatively coupled to the energy transfer elements.

36. The system of claim 23 further comprising a thermal energy source operatively coupled to the energy transfer elements.

37. The system of claim 23 further comprising an ultrasound energy source operatively coupled to the energy transfer elements.

38. The system of claim 23 further comprising a microwave energy source operatively coupled to the energy transfer elements.

39. A system for suction assisted ablation for creating a tissue ablation site, the system comprising:

a tissue contact surface;

a plurality of suction ports positioned substantially linearly along the tissue contact surface and capable of drawing a portion of tissue at least partially within the suction ports upon application of suction;

a suction conduit for providing suction from a suction source to the suction port, the suction conduit operatively connected with the suction ports;

a first elongated energy transfer element positioned along the tissue contact surface and extending adjacent a first side of each of the suction ports;

a second elongated energy transfer element positioned alone the tissue contact surface and extending adjacent a second side of each of the suction ports, said first and second energy transfer elements capable of forming a substantially linear transmural lesion in the portion of tissue drawn within the suction ports by application of energy via the first and second energy transfer elements;

a sensor sensing a parameter or characteristic relating to the tissue ablation site positioned along the tissue contact surface;

an irrigation fluid conduit for providing irrigation fluid from an irrigation source to the tissue ablation site; and

means for varying irrigation fluid supplied to the irrigation conduit in response to the sensed parameter or characteristic.

40. The system of claim 39 further comprising a maneuvering apparatus operatively connected with the tissue contact surface.

41. The system of claim 40 wherein the maneuvering apparatus includes a handle.

42. The system of claim 39 wherein the tissue contact surface is flexible.

43. The system of claim 39 wherein the tissue contact surface is shaped to conform to the tissue ablation site.

44. The system of claim 39 further comprising one or more surgeon-controlled switches operatively connected to the irrigation source.

45. The system of claim 39 wherein the parameter or characteristic is temperature.

46. The system of claim 39 wherein the parameter or characteristic is impedance.

47. The system of claim 39 wherein the parameter or characteristic is pressure.

48. The system of claim 39 wherein the system further comprises an output device for alerting or informing a practitioner regarding the parameter or characteristic of the tissue ablation site sensed by the sensor.

49. The system of claim 39 further comprising an electrical source operatively coupled to the energy transfer elements.

50. The system of claim 39 further comprising an RF energy source operatively coupled to the energy transfer elements.

51. The system of claim 39 further comprising a laser energy source operatively coupled to the energy transfer elements.

52. The system of claim 39 further comprising a thermal energy source operatively coupled to the energy transfer elements.

53. The system of claim 39 further comprising an ultrasound energy source operatively coupled to the energy transfer elements.

54. The system of claim 39 further comprising a microwave energy source operatively coupled to the energy transfer elements.

55. A system for suction assisted ablation for creating a tissue ablation site, the system comprising:

a tissue contact surface;

a plurality of suction ports positioned generally linearly along the tissue contact surface and capable of drawing a portion of tissue at least partially within the suction ports upon application of suction;

a suction conduit for providing suction from a suction source to the suction ports, the suction conduit operatively connected with the suction ports;

a first elongated energy transfer element positioned along the tissue contact surface and extending adjacent a first side of each of the suction ports; and

a second elongated energy transfer element positioned along the tissue contact surface and extending adjacent a second side of each of the suction ports, said first and second energy transfer elements capable of forming a generally linear transmural lesion in the portion of tissue drawn within the suction ports by application of energy via the first and second energy transfer elements.

56. The system of claim 55 further comprising a maneuvering apparatus operatively connected with the tissue contact surface.

57. The system of claim 56 wherein the maneuvering apparatus includes at least one pull wire.

58. The system of claim 56 wherein the maneuvering apparatus includes a handle.

59. The system of claim 58 wherein the handle comprises one or more hinges or joints.

60. The system of claim 59 wherein the one or more hinges or joints are actuated remotely.

61. The system of claim 59 wherein the handle is shapeable.

62. The system of claim 55 wherein the tissue contact surface is flexible.

63. The system of claim 55 wherein the tissue contact surface is shaped to conform to the tissue ablation site.

64. The system of claim 55 further comprising a suction source operatively connected to the suction conduit.

65. The system of claim 64 further comprising one or more surgeon-controlled switches operatively connected to the suction source.

66. The system of claim 55 further comprising an electrical source operatively coupled to the energy transfer elements.

67. The system of claim 55 further comprising an RF energy source operatively coupled to the energy transfer elements.

68. The system of claim 55 further comprising a laser energy source operatively coupled to the energy transfer elements.

69. The system of claim 55 further comprising a thermal energy source operatively coupled to the energy transfer elements.

70. The system of claim 55 further comprising an ultrasound energy source operatively coupled to the energy transfer elements.

71. Th system of claim 55 further comprising a microwave energy source operatively coupled to the energy transfer elements.