WO2003094764A1 - An ablation catheter - Google Patents

An ablation catheter Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2003094764A1
WO2003094764A1 PCT/AU2003/000559 AU0300559W WO03094764A1 WO 2003094764 A1 WO2003094764 A1 WO 2003094764A1 AU 0300559 W AU0300559 W AU 0300559W WO 03094764 A1 WO03094764 A1 WO 03094764A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
loop
catheter
electrodes
carrier
electrode
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU2003/000559
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Neil Lawrence Anderson
Evan Chong
Original Assignee
Cathrx Pty Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Cathrx Pty Ltd filed Critical Cathrx Pty Ltd
Priority to US10/514,308 priority Critical patent/US7347857B2/en
Priority to NZ536404A priority patent/NZ536404A/en
Priority to DE60334984T priority patent/DE60334984D1/en
Priority to AT03718549T priority patent/ATE488192T1/en
Priority to CA002485708A priority patent/CA2485708A1/en
Priority to EP03718549A priority patent/EP1503686B1/en
Priority to JP2004502856A priority patent/JP4467425B2/en
Priority to AU2003223261A priority patent/AU2003223261B2/en
Publication of WO2003094764A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003094764A1/en
Priority to US11/881,431 priority patent/US7740629B2/en
Priority to US12/639,870 priority patent/US20100106155A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B18/00Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
    • A61B18/04Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating
    • A61B18/12Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
    • A61B18/14Probes or electrodes therefor
    • A61B18/1492Probes or electrodes therefor having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B18/00Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
    • A61B2018/00315Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body for treatment of particular body parts
    • A61B2018/00345Vascular system
    • A61B2018/00351Heart
    • A61B2018/00357Endocardium
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B18/00Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
    • A61B2018/00315Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body for treatment of particular body parts
    • A61B2018/00345Vascular system
    • A61B2018/00351Heart
    • A61B2018/00375Ostium, e.g. ostium of pulmonary vein or artery
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B18/00Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
    • A61B2018/00636Sensing and controlling the application of energy
    • A61B2018/00773Sensed parameters
    • A61B2018/00791Temperature
    • A61B2018/00821Temperature measured by a thermocouple
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B18/00Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
    • A61B2018/00636Sensing and controlling the application of energy
    • A61B2018/00773Sensed parameters
    • A61B2018/00839Bioelectrical parameters, e.g. ECG, EEG
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B18/00Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
    • A61B18/04Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating
    • A61B18/12Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
    • A61B18/14Probes or electrodes therefor
    • A61B2018/1405Electrodes having a specific shape
    • A61B2018/1407Loop

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a catheter.
  • the invention relates particularly, but not necessarily exclusively, to an ablation catheter for the treatment of atrial fibrillation.
  • Atrial fibrillation is a condition that affects large groups of people with new patients being diagnosed each year. These patients have a lower quality of life as well as having up to a seven times increase in the likelihood of heart attacks or strokes.
  • Current therapies include drug treatment or defibrillation, both palliative forms of treatment.
  • RF radio frequency
  • ultrasound ultrasound
  • laser laser
  • microwave energy cryoablation
  • Such catheters also have to be reasonably thin to be manoeuvred through a patient's vascular system.
  • a current approach is the use of a catheter in the shape of a lasso which has a number of electrodes used for diagnostic purposes only.
  • the lasso is positioned through the left atrium of the heart in pulmonary veins. As the lasso is round in shape, it surrounds the inside of the vein. Different sizes of catheters are required depending on the size and shape of the ostium.
  • a typical procedure uses a first catheter to sense regions of irregular electrical activity and a second, separate, ablation catheter to ablate the specific site of irregular electrical activity. The procedure is repeated at various sites until all sites of irregular electrical activity have been blocked.
  • One of the disadvantages associated with this procedure is the difficulty in guiding the ablation catheter to the exact site of the vein at which ablation is to occur.
  • the first catheter which is used to sense the irregular electrical activity needs to be retained in position while the second catheter is inserted through the patient's vascular system to the site to guide the ablation catheter to that site.
  • too much energy can lead to excessive tissue damage which can lead to stenosis of the blood vessel.
  • too little energy or insufficient ablated sites can lead to a re-occurrence of the irregular, electrically conductive pathways and therefore the likelihood of further atrial arrhythmia.
  • an ablation catheter which includes: an elongate carrier; a first loop arranged at, or adjacent, a distal end of the carrier; at least one sensing electrode carried on the first loop for sensing irregular electrical activity in a patient's body; at least one further loop arranged proximally relative to the first loop on the carrier in a fixed orientation relative to the first loop; and at least one ablating electrode carried on the second loop for ablating a site of the patient's body where irregular electrical activity occurs.
  • the catheter includes a plurality of sensing electrodes arranged at circumferentially spaced intervals about the first loop and a plurality of ablating electrodes arranged at circumferentially spaced intervals about the second loop.
  • each ablating electrode of the second loop may be aligned with a sensing electrode of the first loop.
  • the elongate carrier may include a tubular member defining a lumen and a shape forming member carried in the lumen for forming the loops.
  • the shape forming member may be of a shape memory alloy such as a nickel, titanium alloy.
  • the tubular member may act as a mandrel for electrical conductors for the electrodes of the first loop and the second loop, the conductors being arranged about an outer surface of the tubular member and being covered with a coating of an insulating material. This leaves a lumen of the tubular member free for the passage of other elements, such as steering cables, conduits for cooling fluids etc. At predetermined locations along the coating, the coating may be removed to expose the conductors and electrodes may be applied at these exposed locations.
  • the tubular member may be folded back on itself to form a distal hai ⁇ in and a pair of limbs extending from the hairpin, the limbs having a pair of proximal ends, the loops being carried on the limbs and a size of each loop being adjustable by appropriate manipulation of the proximal end of at least one of the limbs.
  • An electrically isolating discontinuity may be arranged between the loops isolating the conductors of the first loop from the conductors of the second loop.
  • the second loop may be arranged on one of the limbs proximally of the discontinuity with the first loop also being arranged on the first limb but between the discontinuity and the hai ⁇ in, the electrical conductors for the ablating electrodes of the second loop extending along the one limb and the electrical conductors for the sensing electrodes of the first loop extending along the other limb and through the hai ⁇ in into the one limb.
  • the lumen is free of conductors, it can be made more narrow. Also, the fact that conductors for each of the loops run in separate limbs of the tubular member means that more electrodes can be carried on each loop without adversely affecting the size of the catheter. As a result, the accuracy of sensing measurements and ablating procedures is improved because greater resolution is possible than has heretofore been the case.
  • the conductors may be mounted on the tubular member prior to folding the tubular member.
  • the electrodes may be formed at the desired locations along the length of the conductors where after the tubular member is folded back on itself and cut to isolate the electrodes on one loop from the electrodes on the other loop with each set of electrodes having its own conductors.
  • the shape forming member may then be inserted into the lumen of the tubular member to form the loops.
  • the first loop which is arranged at a distal end of the catheter may have only electrodes without any temperature sensing means and may be used for sensing electrical activity in the pulmonary vein.
  • the second loop being proximally arranged relative to the first loop may, in use, be located at, or adjacent, the ostium of the pulmonary vein and may be used for ablating pu ⁇ oses.
  • the second loop may include the electrodes and the temperature sensing means.
  • the catheter may comprise more than two loops, with one being used for sensing and two being used for ablation or vice versa.
  • the electrodes of the second loop of the catheter may be used both for sensing undesirable or irregular electrical activity at, or adjacent, the ostium of the pulmonary vein and for ablating tissue at, or adjacent, the ostium of the pulmonary vein at where such undesirable electrical activity occurs.
  • the relevant electrode or electrodes of the second loop may be used to ablate the tissue to form a lesion in the region of the ostium to disrupt the electrically conductive pathway in the tissue to reduce atrial fibrillation.
  • the catheter may include a tubular introducer for introducing the carrier into the patient's body, the carrier being slideably received in a passage of the introducer and being slideable relative to the introducer between a first, retracted position in which the loops are contained in a collapsed configuration in the passage of the introducer and a second, extended configuration in which the loops are in an expanded, loop-shaped configuration and are distally arranged relative to a distal end of the introducer.
  • each loop When the loops are in their second, extended configuration, each loop may lie in a plane transverse to a longitudinally axis of the carrier. The planes may be substantially parallel to each other.
  • each electrode may be cuff-shaped to extend only partway about the periphery of the carrier, the arrangement being such that the electrodes are arranged on an outer side of their loops.
  • cuff-shaped it is meant that the electrodes are semi-circular cylindrical in shape.
  • Each of at least certain of the electrodes at least on the second loop may have a temperature measuring facility associated with it.
  • the temperature measuring facility may be a thermocouple.
  • Those electrodes operative also to measure temperature may therefore have three conductors associated with them.
  • Those electrodes used only for sensing or ablating may only have a single conductor associated with them.
  • an ablation catheter which includes an elongate carrier having a loop defined at a distal end, the loop comprising a first arm and a second arm, the arms of the loop being at least partly electrically isolated with respect to each other; and at least one electrode arranged on each arm of the loop.
  • each arm carries a plurality of electrodes.
  • the electrodes may be serially arranged along a length of each arm.
  • the carrier may comprise a tubular member defining a lumen with a shape forming member being received in the lumen for forming the loop.
  • the tubular member may act as a mandrel for electrical conductors for the at least one electrode of the loop, the conductors being arranged about an outer surface of the tubular member and being covered in a coating of an insulating material.
  • the tubular member may be folded back on itself to form a distal hai ⁇ in and a pair of limbs extending from the hai ⁇ in, each limb having proximal end, the arms of the loop being defined by distal portions of the limbs on opposite sides of the hai ⁇ in.
  • the arms of the loop may be electrically isolated from each other at a distal end of the loop.
  • the tubular member may include an electrically isolating discontinuity at the distal end of the arms, more particularly, at the hai ⁇ in.
  • the arms may be cut and then re-connected in an electrically isolated manner.
  • At least partly electrically isolated it is meant that, in respect of most conductors of each limb, the conductors terminate before, or at, the discontinuity. However, it may be required that at least certain of the conductors traverse the discontinuity, ie. extend up through one limb and return through the other limb. Such conductors would then not be terminated before, or at, the discontinuity.
  • a temperature measuring facility may be associated with at least certain of the electrodes.
  • the electrodes may be shaped only to be on an operatively outer part of the loop. More specifically, each electrode is substantially semi-cylindrical in shape, or cuff-shaped, as opposed to being in the form of a band or annulus.
  • the semi-cylindrical electrodes may be longer than band-shaped electrodes so that a surface area of each semi-cylindrical electrode is substantially the same as that of a conventional band-shaped, ablating electrode to have the same current density in the semi-cylindrical ablating electrodes, in use.
  • an ablation catheter which includes an elongate carrier defining an outer periphery; and at least one ablating electrode carried on said outer periphery, said at least one ablating electrode being arranged only partially about the periphery of the carrier.
  • the outer periphery may be a radially outer part of at least one loop carried by the carrier and the at least one electrode may be carried partially about the radially outer part of the at least one loop.
  • the at least one electrode may be of semi-cylindrical shape.
  • a source of energy for effecting ablation may be selected from the group comprising radio frequency, microwave, ultrasound, laser and cryoablative energy.
  • Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an ablation catheter, in accordance with a first aspect of the invention, in an initial stage of formation;
  • Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of the catheter;
  • Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of an interior cross section of the catheter;
  • Figure 4 shows a three dimensional view of an ablation catheter, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention
  • Figure 5 shows a three dimensional view of an ablation catheter, in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 6 shows a schematic, cross sectional view of an ablation catheter, in accordance with a third aspect of the invention.
  • reference numeral 10 generally designates an ablation catheter, in accordance with the invention.
  • the catheter 10 include an elongate carrier 12 having a loop 14 defined at a distal end of the carrier 12, the loop 14 being formed by two arms 18, 22. the arms 18, 22 are joined at a distal end of the loop 14.
  • a plurality of electrodes 16 is carried on one arm 18 of the loop 14 with a similar number of electrodes 20 being carried on the opposed arm 22 of the loop 14.
  • the elongate carrier 12 is a tubular member defining a lumen 24.
  • the tubular member 12 is folded back on itself into a substantially hai ⁇ in shape to define a pair of limbs 26, 28 joined at a hai ⁇ in 29.
  • Conductors are carried on an external surface of the lumen 24 of the tubular member 12.
  • the tubular member 12 serves as a mandrel for supporting the conductors 30.
  • the coating of insulating material 31 is removed to expose the conductors 30.
  • Metal is applied by a deposition technique to form the electrodes 16, 20.
  • the metal of the electrodes 16, 20 is of a bio-compatible material such as a noble metal, for example, platinum.
  • the tubular member 12 is cut at its distal end, as indicated at 32 in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. This includes cutting the conductors 30. The cut ends are re-joined in an electrically isolated manner to form the two arms 18, 22 of the loop 14. As illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings, a further tube 34 is inserted into the lumen 24 of the tubular member 12.
  • This tube 34 accommodates a shape forming member 36 such as a length of nickel, titanium alloy (NitinolTM) which is used in forming each arm 18, 22 of the loop 14, as will be described in greater detail below.
  • the length of shape forming member 36 has two, protruding, proximal ends 36.1
  • the catheter 10 includes an introducer or sleeve 38 in which the hai ⁇ in shaped tubular member 12 is received for use
  • the ends 36.1 of the shape forming member 36 protrude from a proximal end of the introducer 38 and are used for adjusting the size of the loop 14 to cater for various sizes of pulmonary vein ostia.
  • the introducer 38 includes a steering mechanism (not shown) for steering the catheter 10 through the vascular system and heart of a patient undergoing treatment. In use, to treat atrial fibrillation, the catheter 10 is inserted via the patient's vascular system and the left atrium of the heart into the ostium of the pulmonary vein to be treated where atrial arrhythmia may be occurring.
  • the loop 14 is retracted into the introducer so that the loop 14 adopts a collapsed configuration within the introducer 38 as the introducer 38 is steered to the relevant site by an operator.
  • the tubular member 12 is urged towards the distal end of the introducer 38 to eject the loop- defining part of the tubular member 12 out of the distal end of the introducer 38, the length of shape forming member 36 acting on the distal end of the tubular member 12, as the distal end of the tubular member 12 escapes from the introducer 38, to form the arms 18, 22 of the loop 14.
  • Sensing of electrical activity at or adjacent the ostium takes place by the electrodes 16 and 20 acting as sensing electrodes.
  • radio opaque tokens in the form of bands may be arranged at various location on the loop 14.
  • the radio opaque bands may be identified with certain of the electrodes 16, 20 so that the clinician knows exactly where the electrodes 16, 20 are positioned at the various locations about the wall of the pulmonary vein. This is only necessary if the electrodes 16, 20 are not visible under a fluoroscope.
  • An additional lumen 44 extends along the lumen 24 of the tubular member 12 to the electrodes 16, 20 to provide delivery of a fluid, such as a saline solution, to the electrodes 16, 20 during ablation. Due to the fact that the electrodes 16, 20 are coated on the tubular member 12, this facilitates the formation of an opening through each electrode 16, 20 through which the saline solution can be delivered. Instead of the saline solution being ejected through openings in the electrodes, the solution could, instead, be circulated through a suitable conduit (not shown) arranged in the lumen 24 of the tubular member 12 and extending through the limbs 26, 28 of the tubular member. In this way, the electrodes 16, 20 may be cooled allowing for higher energies and deeper lesions while inhibiting overheating of the tissue or blood in the vessel.
  • a suitable conduit not shown
  • Figure 4 of the drawings shows a configuration where a single loop 14 is provided.
  • the electrodes 16, 20 are used both for sensing of electrical activity as well as for ablating pu ⁇ oses.
  • a catheter 10 which includes two loops 14.1 and 14.2.
  • the loop 14.1 is arranged at the distal end of the catheter 10 and includes only sensing electrodes 40 arranged about the loop 14.1.
  • the loop 14.2 is arranged proximally relative to the loop 14.1 and includes only ablating electrodes 42 arranged about the loop 14.2.
  • the electrodes 42 of the loop 14.2 are also used for sensing of irregular electrical activity, in addition to performing their ablating function.
  • the cut 32 formed in the tubular member 12 is arranged proximally of the hai ⁇ in 29 so that the loop 14.2 is formed proximally of the cut 32 and the loop 14.1 is formed intermediate the cut 32 and the hai ⁇ in 29.
  • the conductors 30 for the loop 14.2 extend along the limb 26 of the tubular member 12, the limb 26 terminating at the cut 32.
  • the conductors 30 for the loop 14.1 extend along the limb 28 of the tubular member 12, the limb 28 forming the hai ⁇ in 29 and terminating at the cut 32. It is to be noted that, in this embodiment of the invention, it is not essential that the conductors 30 for each of the loops 14.1 and 14.2 extend along separate limbs. In other words, the cut 32 in the tubular member 12 is not essential.
  • the catheter 10 of Figure 5 is used in a similar manner to that described above with reference to Figure 4.
  • the catheter 10 is introduced into the patient's vascular system with the loops 14.1 and 14.2 retracted, in a collapsed configuration into the introducer 38.
  • the catheter 10 is inserted via the left atrium of the patient's heart.
  • the loops 14.1 and 14.2 are urged distally out of the introducer 38 so that the shape forming member 36 causes the loops 14.1 and 14.2 to form.
  • the loops 14.1 and 14.2 When the loops 14.1 and 14.2 are ejected from the catheter 10, they adopt an erected configuration in which the loops 14.1 and 14.2 lie in planes that are substantially parallel to each other and transversely to a longitudinal axis of the catheter 10.
  • the loop 14.1 is received within the pulmonary vein with the loop 14.2 being arranged at, or adjacent, the ostium.
  • the electrodes 40 and 42 are arranged on the loops 14.1 and 14.2, respectively, so that they are aligned with each other longitudinally along the tubular member 12.
  • the spacing between the loops 14.1 and 14.2 is such that, in all likelihood, should adverse electrical activity be picked up by one of the electrodes 40 of the loop 14.1, the corresponding, aligned electrode 42 of the loop 14.2 can be used to ablate the tissue at the ostium which should result in ceasing of the adverse electrical activity. Accordingly, this aspect of the invention provides separate electrodes for sensing and for ablating pu ⁇ oses.
  • the electrodes 16, 20, 40 or 42 do not extend all the way about the periphery of the tubular member 12. Rather, the electrodes 16, 20, 40 or 42 are each in the form of a cuff-like member which extends only part way, approximately halfway, about the periphery of the tubular member 12. Hence, when the loop or loops 14 are formed, the cuff-like electrode 16, 20, 40 or 42 as the case, are arranged on a part of each loop facing radially outwardly to be in contact with the wall of the pulmonary vein to effect sensing/ablating.
  • Electrodes 16, 20, 40, 42 electrical energy is focused towards ablating the tissue rather than ablating and coagulating blood in the vessel. This improves the creation of the lesion in the wall of the vein and optimises the size/depth of the lesion while lessening the likelihood of stenosis of the vein occurring.
  • a further benefit of this arrangement is that, with comparison to a band-type electrode, the cuff-type electrode 16, 20, 40 or 42 has a greater length to provide a similar surface area to the band-type electrode.
  • the greater length of the cuff-shaped electrode 16, 20, 40 or 42 means that a longer lesion can be formed with the same current density as presently used.
  • the conductors 30 for the electrodes 16, 20, 40, 42 are embedded in a wall of the tubular member 12, it results in a catheter 10 which is thinner than multi-electrode catheters of the type presently in use. This facilitates manipulation of the catheter 10 through the vessels and/or heart of the patient. It also means that the lumen 24 of the tubular member 12 is free to accommodate the length of shape-forming member 36 and, where applicable, the conduit 44 for the delivery of a saline solution.
  • catheter 10 has been described with reference to its application in the treatment of atrial fibrillation, it will be appreciated that the catheter 10 could also be used in other applications such as in the treatment of ventricular tachycardia. It could also be used in non-cardiac applications such as in the ablation of tumours or of the prostate.
  • any electrode that is being used of ablation can have a thermocouple pair underneath it if needed.
  • some of the ablating electrodes have three conductors 30 associated with them while others only have one conductor 30.
  • Separate electrodes to be used as thermocouples could also be provided but this would increase the number of electrodes. Such separate electrodes would each have two conductors 30 associated with them.
  • a one metre length of 0.4 mm stiff shape forming wire 36 which has two loops 14.1 and 14.2, each of 20mm diameter shape formed therein and positioned halfway along the length of the wire 36 was passed in a lumen 24 of a tubular member 12 of 1.6mm diameter with a PebaxTM jacket 31.
  • the tubular member 12 carried twenty 0.16mm conductors 30 helically wound around an outer surface of the lumen 24 and embedded in the jacket 31.
  • the tubular member 12 was folded back on itself so that the loops 14.1 and 14.2 were arranged at the distal end with the loop 14.2 being arranged proximally of the loop 14.1.
  • the folded tubular member 12 had the ends 36.1 of the shape forming wire 36 protruded from the aligned proximal ends of the tubular member 12 and was inserted in an introducer 38 so that the loops 14.1 and 14.2 could be ejected through a distal end of the introducer 38 to adopt their erected configuration. It was shown that, by manipulating the ends 36.1 of each limb 26, 28 of the tubular member 12 relative to the introducer 38, the diameter of each of the loops 14.1 and 14.2 could be adjusted independently of each other.
  • a catheter 10 is provided which is used both for sensing and ablating in the treatment of atrial fibrillation. Also, with the construction of the tubular member 12 having the conductors 30 embedded therein, a catheter 10 which is of thinner construction than catheters of which the applicant is presently aware, can be formed resulting in easier manipulation of the catheter 10.
  • the split construction of the tubular member 12 means that double the number of conductors 30 can be accommodated and, consequently, double the number of electrodes 16, 20, 40 or 42. This has the benefit that more electrodes can be carried on each loop 14 without adversely affecting the size of the catheter 10. As a result, the accuracy of sensing measurements and ablating procedures is improved because greater resolution is possible than has heretofore been the case. With the double loop configuration of the catheter 10, the fact that the loops
  • Prior art catheters of which the Applicant is aware perform a circumferential ablation.
  • Still another advantage of the present invention is that individual electrodes can be controlled independently to ablate small, segmented regions of tissue rather than creating an entire circular lesion. As a result, less trauma is caused to the patient and more accurate directing of the ablating at the target site can be effected.

Abstract

An ablation catheter (10) includes an elongate carrier (12). A first loop (14.1) is arranged at or adjacent a distal end of the carrier (12). At least one sensing electrode (40) is carried on the first loop (14.1) for sensing irregular activity in a patient's body. At least one further loop (14.2) is arranged proximally relative to the first loop (14.1) on the carrier (12) in a fixed orientation relative to the first loop (14.1). At least one ablating electrode (42) is carried on the second loop (14.2) for ablating a site of the patient's body where irregular electrical activity occurs. In another form of the invention, the ablation catheter includes a carrier (12) having a loop (14) defined at the distal end, the loop (14) comprising a first arm (18) and a second arm (22), the arms (18, 22) of the loop (14) being at least partly electrically isolated with respect to each other and at least one electrode (16, 20) arranged on each arm (18, 22) of the loop (14). In either form of the invention, an ablating electrode (42) carried on an outer periphery of the carrier (12) may be arranged only partially about the periphery of the carrier (12).

Description

"An ablation catheter"
Field of the invention
This invention relates to a catheter. The invention relates particularly, but not necessarily exclusively, to an ablation catheter for the treatment of atrial fibrillation.
Background to the invention
Atrial fibrillation is a condition that affects large groups of people with new patients being diagnosed each year. These patients have a lower quality of life as well as having up to a seven times increase in the likelihood of heart attacks or strokes. Current therapies include drug treatment or defibrillation, both palliative forms of treatment. Over the past few years, a number of research groups have been investigating curative treatment involving ablative techniques using radio frequency (RF), ultrasound, laser or microwave energy or cryoablation techniques. Ablation therapy, while being promising, requires complex catheter designs.
Such catheters also have to be reasonably thin to be manoeuvred through a patient's vascular system.
A current approach is the use of a catheter in the shape of a lasso which has a number of electrodes used for diagnostic purposes only. The lasso is positioned through the left atrium of the heart in pulmonary veins. As the lasso is round in shape, it surrounds the inside of the vein. Different sizes of catheters are required depending on the size and shape of the ostium. A typical procedure uses a first catheter to sense regions of irregular electrical activity and a second, separate, ablation catheter to ablate the specific site of irregular electrical activity. The procedure is repeated at various sites until all sites of irregular electrical activity have been blocked. One of the disadvantages associated with this procedure is the difficulty in guiding the ablation catheter to the exact site of the vein at which ablation is to occur. In this regard, it must be borne in mind that the first catheter which is used to sense the irregular electrical activity needs to be retained in position while the second catheter is inserted through the patient's vascular system to the site to guide the ablation catheter to that site. In addition, too much energy can lead to excessive tissue damage which can lead to stenosis of the blood vessel. Conversely, too little energy or insufficient ablated sites can lead to a re-occurrence of the irregular, electrically conductive pathways and therefore the likelihood of further atrial arrhythmia. Summary of the invention
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an ablation catheter which includes: an elongate carrier; a first loop arranged at, or adjacent, a distal end of the carrier; at least one sensing electrode carried on the first loop for sensing irregular electrical activity in a patient's body; at least one further loop arranged proximally relative to the first loop on the carrier in a fixed orientation relative to the first loop; and at least one ablating electrode carried on the second loop for ablating a site of the patient's body where irregular electrical activity occurs.
Preferably, the catheter includes a plurality of sensing electrodes arranged at circumferentially spaced intervals about the first loop and a plurality of ablating electrodes arranged at circumferentially spaced intervals about the second loop. When viewed longitudinally along the carrier, each ablating electrode of the second loop may be aligned with a sensing electrode of the first loop.
The elongate carrier may include a tubular member defining a lumen and a shape forming member carried in the lumen for forming the loops. The shape forming member may be of a shape memory alloy such as a nickel, titanium alloy. The tubular member may act as a mandrel for electrical conductors for the electrodes of the first loop and the second loop, the conductors being arranged about an outer surface of the tubular member and being covered with a coating of an insulating material. This leaves a lumen of the tubular member free for the passage of other elements, such as steering cables, conduits for cooling fluids etc. At predetermined locations along the coating, the coating may be removed to expose the conductors and electrodes may be applied at these exposed locations.
The tubular member may be folded back on itself to form a distal haiφin and a pair of limbs extending from the hairpin, the limbs having a pair of proximal ends, the loops being carried on the limbs and a size of each loop being adjustable by appropriate manipulation of the proximal end of at least one of the limbs.
An electrically isolating discontinuity may be arranged between the loops isolating the conductors of the first loop from the conductors of the second loop. The second loop may be arranged on one of the limbs proximally of the discontinuity with the first loop also being arranged on the first limb but between the discontinuity and the haiφin, the electrical conductors for the ablating electrodes of the second loop extending along the one limb and the electrical conductors for the sensing electrodes of the first loop extending along the other limb and through the haiφin into the one limb.
It will be appreciated that, because the lumen is free of conductors, it can be made more narrow. Also, the fact that conductors for each of the loops run in separate limbs of the tubular member means that more electrodes can be carried on each loop without adversely affecting the size of the catheter. As a result, the accuracy of sensing measurements and ablating procedures is improved because greater resolution is possible than has heretofore been the case.
In the manufacture of the catheter, the conductors may be mounted on the tubular member prior to folding the tubular member. The electrodes may be formed at the desired locations along the length of the conductors where after the tubular member is folded back on itself and cut to isolate the electrodes on one loop from the electrodes on the other loop with each set of electrodes having its own conductors. The shape forming member may then be inserted into the lumen of the tubular member to form the loops.
The first loop, which is arranged at a distal end of the catheter may have only electrodes without any temperature sensing means and may be used for sensing electrical activity in the pulmonary vein. The second loop, being proximally arranged relative to the first loop may, in use, be located at, or adjacent, the ostium of the pulmonary vein and may be used for ablating puφoses. Thus, the second loop may include the electrodes and the temperature sensing means. It will be appreciated that the catheter may comprise more than two loops, with one being used for sensing and two being used for ablation or vice versa.
The electrodes of the second loop of the catheter may be used both for sensing undesirable or irregular electrical activity at, or adjacent, the ostium of the pulmonary vein and for ablating tissue at, or adjacent, the ostium of the pulmonary vein at where such undesirable electrical activity occurs. Thus, where any electrode of the first loop or the second loop senses undesirable electrical activity, the relevant electrode or electrodes of the second loop may be used to ablate the tissue to form a lesion in the region of the ostium to disrupt the electrically conductive pathway in the tissue to reduce atrial fibrillation.
The catheter may include a tubular introducer for introducing the carrier into the patient's body, the carrier being slideably received in a passage of the introducer and being slideable relative to the introducer between a first, retracted position in which the loops are contained in a collapsed configuration in the passage of the introducer and a second, extended configuration in which the loops are in an expanded, loop-shaped configuration and are distally arranged relative to a distal end of the introducer. When the loops are in their second, extended configuration, each loop may lie in a plane transverse to a longitudinally axis of the carrier. The planes may be substantially parallel to each other. As a result of the looped arrangement of the electrodes, when the catheter is inserted into the blood vessel, an operator will know which parts of each loop and, hence, which side of each electrode is in contact with a wall of the blood vessel and which side is in contact with blood within the blood vessel. As it is undesirable to impart heat to the blood carried in the blood vessel, each electrode may be cuff-shaped to extend only partway about the periphery of the carrier, the arrangement being such that the electrodes are arranged on an outer side of their loops. By "cuff-shaped", it is meant that the electrodes are semi-circular cylindrical in shape.
Each of at least certain of the electrodes at least on the second loop may have a temperature measuring facility associated with it. The temperature measuring facility may be a thermocouple. Those electrodes operative also to measure temperature may therefore have three conductors associated with them. Those electrodes used only for sensing or ablating may only have a single conductor associated with them.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an ablation catheter which includes an elongate carrier having a loop defined at a distal end, the loop comprising a first arm and a second arm, the arms of the loop being at least partly electrically isolated with respect to each other; and at least one electrode arranged on each arm of the loop.
Preferably, each arm carries a plurality of electrodes. The electrodes may be serially arranged along a length of each arm.
The carrier may comprise a tubular member defining a lumen with a shape forming member being received in the lumen for forming the loop.
The tubular member may act as a mandrel for electrical conductors for the at least one electrode of the loop, the conductors being arranged about an outer surface of the tubular member and being covered in a coating of an insulating material.
The tubular member may be folded back on itself to form a distal haiφin and a pair of limbs extending from the haiφin, each limb having proximal end, the arms of the loop being defined by distal portions of the limbs on opposite sides of the haiφin.
The arms of the loop may be electrically isolated from each other at a distal end of the loop. Thus, the tubular member may include an electrically isolating discontinuity at the distal end of the arms, more particularly, at the haiφin. For example, the arms may be cut and then re-connected in an electrically isolated manner.
By "at least partly electrically isolated, it is meant that, in respect of most conductors of each limb, the conductors terminate before, or at, the discontinuity. However, it may be required that at least certain of the conductors traverse the discontinuity, ie. extend up through one limb and return through the other limb. Such conductors would then not be terminated before, or at, the discontinuity.
A temperature measuring facility may be associated with at least certain of the electrodes. The electrodes may be shaped only to be on an operatively outer part of the loop. More specifically, each electrode is substantially semi-cylindrical in shape, or cuff-shaped, as opposed to being in the form of a band or annulus.
The semi-cylindrical electrodes may be longer than band-shaped electrodes so that a surface area of each semi-cylindrical electrode is substantially the same as that of a conventional band-shaped, ablating electrode to have the same current density in the semi-cylindrical ablating electrodes, in use.
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an ablation catheter which includes an elongate carrier defining an outer periphery; and at least one ablating electrode carried on said outer periphery, said at least one ablating electrode being arranged only partially about the periphery of the carrier.
The outer periphery may be a radially outer part of at least one loop carried by the carrier and the at least one electrode may be carried partially about the radially outer part of the at least one loop. The at least one electrode may be of semi-cylindrical shape.
In the case of all aspects as described above, a source of energy for effecting ablation may be selected from the group comprising radio frequency, microwave, ultrasound, laser and cryoablative energy.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The invention is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-
Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an ablation catheter, in accordance with a first aspect of the invention, in an initial stage of formation; Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of the catheter; Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of an interior cross section of the catheter;
Figure 4 shows a three dimensional view of an ablation catheter, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; Figure 5 shows a three dimensional view of an ablation catheter, in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; and
Figure 6 shows a schematic, cross sectional view of an ablation catheter, in accordance with a third aspect of the invention.
Detailed Description of the Invention
In the drawings, reference numeral 10 generally designates an ablation catheter, in accordance with the invention. The catheter 10 include an elongate carrier 12 having a loop 14 defined at a distal end of the carrier 12, the loop 14 being formed by two arms 18, 22. the arms 18, 22 are joined at a distal end of the loop 14. A plurality of electrodes 16 is carried on one arm 18 of the loop 14 with a similar number of electrodes 20 being carried on the opposed arm 22 of the loop 14.
The elongate carrier 12 is a tubular member defining a lumen 24. In the fabrication of the catheter 10, in accordance with one aspect of the invention and as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, the tubular member 12 is folded back on itself into a substantially haiφin shape to define a pair of limbs 26, 28 joined at a haiφin 29. Conductors, five of which are shown schematically at 30 in Figure 3 of the drawings, are carried on an external surface of the lumen 24 of the tubular member 12. In other words, the tubular member 12 serves as a mandrel for supporting the conductors 30. Once the conductors 30 have been placed in position about the outside of the tubular member 12, a covering or coating of an insulating material 31 is applied to the conductors 30.
At the distal end of the tubular member 12, the coating of insulating material 31 is removed to expose the conductors 30. Metal is applied by a deposition technique to form the electrodes 16, 20. The metal of the electrodes 16, 20 is of a bio-compatible material such as a noble metal, for example, platinum.
Once the electrodes 16, 20 have been formed, the tubular member 12 is cut at its distal end, as indicated at 32 in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. This includes cutting the conductors 30. The cut ends are re-joined in an electrically isolated manner to form the two arms 18, 22 of the loop 14. As illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings, a further tube 34 is inserted into the lumen 24 of the tubular member 12. This tube 34 accommodates a shape forming member 36 such as a length of nickel, titanium alloy (Nitinol™) which is used in forming each arm 18, 22 of the loop 14, as will be described in greater detail below. The length of shape forming member 36 has two, protruding, proximal ends 36.1
The catheter 10 includes an introducer or sleeve 38 in which the haiφin shaped tubular member 12 is received for use The ends 36.1 of the shape forming member 36 protrude from a proximal end of the introducer 38 and are used for adjusting the size of the loop 14 to cater for various sizes of pulmonary vein ostia. The introducer 38 includes a steering mechanism (not shown) for steering the catheter 10 through the vascular system and heart of a patient undergoing treatment. In use, to treat atrial fibrillation, the catheter 10 is inserted via the patient's vascular system and the left atrium of the heart into the ostium of the pulmonary vein to be treated where atrial arrhythmia may be occurring. To facilitate insertion of the catheter 10, the loop 14 is retracted into the introducer so that the loop 14 adopts a collapsed configuration within the introducer 38 as the introducer 38 is steered to the relevant site by an operator. At the desired location relative to the ostium, the tubular member 12 is urged towards the distal end of the introducer 38 to eject the loop- defining part of the tubular member 12 out of the distal end of the introducer 38, the length of shape forming member 36 acting on the distal end of the tubular member 12, as the distal end of the tubular member 12 escapes from the introducer 38, to form the arms 18, 22 of the loop 14.
Sensing of electrical activity at or adjacent the ostium takes place by the electrodes 16 and 20 acting as sensing electrodes.
To assist the clinician in placement of the loop 14 relative to the pulmonary vein, radio opaque tokens (not shown) in the form of bands may be arranged at various location on the loop 14. The radio opaque bands may be identified with certain of the electrodes 16, 20 so that the clinician knows exactly where the electrodes 16, 20 are positioned at the various locations about the wall of the pulmonary vein. This is only necessary if the electrodes 16, 20 are not visible under a fluoroscope.
An additional lumen 44 extends along the lumen 24 of the tubular member 12 to the electrodes 16, 20 to provide delivery of a fluid, such as a saline solution, to the electrodes 16, 20 during ablation. Due to the fact that the electrodes 16, 20 are coated on the tubular member 12, this facilitates the formation of an opening through each electrode 16, 20 through which the saline solution can be delivered. Instead of the saline solution being ejected through openings in the electrodes, the solution could, instead, be circulated through a suitable conduit (not shown) arranged in the lumen 24 of the tubular member 12 and extending through the limbs 26, 28 of the tubular member. In this way, the electrodes 16, 20 may be cooled allowing for higher energies and deeper lesions while inhibiting overheating of the tissue or blood in the vessel.
Figure 4 of the drawings shows a configuration where a single loop 14 is provided. In this embodiment of the invention, the electrodes 16, 20 are used both for sensing of electrical activity as well as for ablating puφoses.
In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 5 of the drawings, a catheter 10 is provided which includes two loops 14.1 and 14.2. The loop 14.1 is arranged at the distal end of the catheter 10 and includes only sensing electrodes 40 arranged about the loop 14.1. The loop 14.2 is arranged proximally relative to the loop 14.1 and includes only ablating electrodes 42 arranged about the loop 14.2. However, if desired, the electrodes 42 of the loop 14.2 are also used for sensing of irregular electrical activity, in addition to performing their ablating function.
In the formation of the catheter 10 of Figure 5, the cut 32 formed in the tubular member 12 is arranged proximally of the haiφin 29 so that the loop 14.2 is formed proximally of the cut 32 and the loop 14.1 is formed intermediate the cut 32 and the haiφin 29. The conductors 30 for the loop 14.2 extend along the limb 26 of the tubular member 12, the limb 26 terminating at the cut 32. The conductors 30 for the loop 14.1 extend along the limb 28 of the tubular member 12, the limb 28 forming the haiφin 29 and terminating at the cut 32. It is to be noted that, in this embodiment of the invention, it is not essential that the conductors 30 for each of the loops 14.1 and 14.2 extend along separate limbs. In other words, the cut 32 in the tubular member 12 is not essential.
In use, the catheter 10 of Figure 5 is used in a similar manner to that described above with reference to Figure 4. The catheter 10 is introduced into the patient's vascular system with the loops 14.1 and 14.2 retracted, in a collapsed configuration into the introducer 38. The catheter 10 is inserted via the left atrium of the patient's heart. At the relevant pulmonary vein, the loops 14.1 and 14.2 are urged distally out of the introducer 38 so that the shape forming member 36 causes the loops 14.1 and 14.2 to form. When the loops 14.1 and 14.2 are ejected from the catheter 10, they adopt an erected configuration in which the loops 14.1 and 14.2 lie in planes that are substantially parallel to each other and transversely to a longitudinal axis of the catheter 10. The loop 14.1 is received within the pulmonary vein with the loop 14.2 being arranged at, or adjacent, the ostium. The electrodes 40 and 42 are arranged on the loops 14.1 and 14.2, respectively, so that they are aligned with each other longitudinally along the tubular member 12. The spacing between the loops 14.1 and 14.2 is such that, in all likelihood, should adverse electrical activity be picked up by one of the electrodes 40 of the loop 14.1, the corresponding, aligned electrode 42 of the loop 14.2 can be used to ablate the tissue at the ostium which should result in ceasing of the adverse electrical activity. Accordingly, this aspect of the invention provides separate electrodes for sensing and for ablating puφoses.
Referring now to Figure 6 of the drawings, a part of the catheter 10 showing one of the electrodes 16, 20, 40 or 42, in accordance with another aspect of the invention, is illustrated. The electrodes 16, 20, 40 or 42 do not extend all the way about the periphery of the tubular member 12. Rather, the electrodes 16, 20, 40 or 42 are each in the form of a cuff-like member which extends only part way, approximately halfway, about the periphery of the tubular member 12. Hence, when the loop or loops 14 are formed, the cuff-like electrode 16, 20, 40 or 42 as the case, are arranged on a part of each loop facing radially outwardly to be in contact with the wall of the pulmonary vein to effect sensing/ablating. With this configuration of electrodes 16, 20, 40, 42 electrical energy is focused towards ablating the tissue rather than ablating and coagulating blood in the vessel. This improves the creation of the lesion in the wall of the vein and optimises the size/depth of the lesion while lessening the likelihood of stenosis of the vein occurring.
A further benefit of this arrangement is that, with comparison to a band-type electrode, the cuff-type electrode 16, 20, 40 or 42 has a greater length to provide a similar surface area to the band-type electrode. The greater length of the cuff-shaped electrode 16, 20, 40 or 42 means that a longer lesion can be formed with the same current density as presently used.
Further, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 6 of the drawings, because the conductors 30 for the electrodes 16, 20, 40, 42 are embedded in a wall of the tubular member 12, it results in a catheter 10 which is thinner than multi-electrode catheters of the type presently in use. This facilitates manipulation of the catheter 10 through the vessels and/or heart of the patient. It also means that the lumen 24 of the tubular member 12 is free to accommodate the length of shape-forming member 36 and, where applicable, the conduit 44 for the delivery of a saline solution.
While the catheter 10 has been described with reference to its application in the treatment of atrial fibrillation, it will be appreciated that the catheter 10 could also be used in other applications such as in the treatment of ventricular tachycardia. It could also be used in non-cardiac applications such as in the ablation of tumours or of the prostate. Further, it is to be noted that any electrode that is being used of ablation can have a thermocouple pair underneath it if needed. Thus some of the ablating electrodes have three conductors 30 associated with them while others only have one conductor 30. Separate electrodes to be used as thermocouples could also be provided but this would increase the number of electrodes. Such separate electrodes would each have two conductors 30 associated with them.
An example of a catheter 10 is given below:
A one metre length of 0.4 mm stiff shape forming wire 36 which has two loops 14.1 and 14.2, each of 20mm diameter shape formed therein and positioned halfway along the length of the wire 36 was passed in a lumen 24 of a tubular member 12 of 1.6mm diameter with a Pebax™ jacket 31. The tubular member 12 carried twenty 0.16mm conductors 30 helically wound around an outer surface of the lumen 24 and embedded in the jacket 31. The tubular member 12 was folded back on itself so that the loops 14.1 and 14.2 were arranged at the distal end with the loop 14.2 being arranged proximally of the loop 14.1. The folded tubular member 12 had the ends 36.1 of the shape forming wire 36 protruded from the aligned proximal ends of the tubular member 12 and was inserted in an introducer 38 so that the loops 14.1 and 14.2 could be ejected through a distal end of the introducer 38 to adopt their erected configuration. It was shown that, by manipulating the ends 36.1 of each limb 26, 28 of the tubular member 12 relative to the introducer 38, the diameter of each of the loops 14.1 and 14.2 could be adjusted independently of each other.
It is a particular advantage of the invention that a catheter 10 is provided which is used both for sensing and ablating in the treatment of atrial fibrillation. Also, with the construction of the tubular member 12 having the conductors 30 embedded therein, a catheter 10 which is of thinner construction than catheters of which the applicant is presently aware, can be formed resulting in easier manipulation of the catheter 10.
Another advantage of the catheter 10 of the present invention is that, in comparison with existing catheters, the split construction of the tubular member 12 means that double the number of conductors 30 can be accommodated and, consequently, double the number of electrodes 16, 20, 40 or 42. This has the benefit that more electrodes can be carried on each loop 14 without adversely affecting the size of the catheter 10. As a result, the accuracy of sensing measurements and ablating procedures is improved because greater resolution is possible than has heretofore been the case. With the double loop configuration of the catheter 10, the fact that the loops
14.1 and 14.2 are in a fixed orientation relative to each other reduces the risk of the loop 14.1 being inserted too deeply into the pulmonary vein. As a result the likelihood of trauma to the vein is reduced.
Prior art catheters of which the Applicant is aware perform a circumferential ablation. Still another advantage of the present invention is that individual electrodes can be controlled independently to ablate small, segmented regions of tissue rather than creating an entire circular lesion. As a result, less trauma is caused to the patient and more accurate directing of the ablating at the target site can be effected.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. An ablation catheter which includes: an elongate carrier; a first loop arranged at, or adjacent, a distal end of the carrier; at least one sensing electrode carried on the first loop for sensing irregular electrical activity in a patient's body; at least one further loop arranged proximally relative to the first loop on the carrier in a fixed orientation relative to the first loop; and at least one ablating electrode carried on the second loop for ablating a site of the patient's body where irregular electrical activity occurs.
2. The catheter of claim 1 which includes a plurality of sensing electrodes arranged at circumferentially spaced intervals about the first loop and a plurality of ablating electrodes arranged at circumferentially spaced intervals about the second loop.
3. The catheter of claim 2 in which, when viewed longitudinally along the carrier, each ablating electrode of the second loop is a aligned with a sensing electrode of the first loop.
4. The catheter of any one of the preceding claims in which the elongate carrier includes a tubular member defining a lumen and a shape forming member carried in the lumen for forming the loops.
5. The catheter of claim 4 in which the tubular member acts as a mandrel for electrical conductors for the electrodes of the first loop and the second loop, the conductors being arranged about an outer surface of the tubular member and being covered with a coating of an insulating material.
6. The catheter of claim 5 in which the tubular member is folded back on itself to form a distal haiφin and a pair of limbs extending from the haiφin, the limbs having a pair of proximal ends, the loops being carried on the limbs and a size of each loop being adjustable by appropriate manipulation of the proximal end of at least one of the limbs.
7. The catheter of claim 6 in which an electrically isolating discontinuity is arranged between the loops isolating the conductors of the first loop from the conductors of the second loop.
8. The catheter of claim 7 in which the second loop is arranged on one of the limbs proximally of the discontinuity with the first loop also being arranged on the first limb but between the discontinuity and the haiφin, the electrical conductors for the ablating electrodes of the second loop extending along the one limb and the electrical conductors for the sensing electrodes of the first loop extending along the other limb and through the haiφin into the one limb.
9. The catheter of any one of the preceding claims in which the ablating electrodes also perform a sensing function.
10. The catheter of any one of the preceding claims which includes a tubular introducer for introducing the carrier into the patient's body, the carrier being slideably received in a passage of the introducer and being slideable relative to the introducer between a first, retracted position in which the loops are contained in a collapsed configuration in the passage of the introducer and a second, extended configuration in which the loops are in an expanded, loop-shaped configuration and are distally arranged relative to a distal end of the introducer.
11. The catheter of claim 10 in which, when the loops are in their second, extended configuration, each loop lies in a plane transverse to a longitudinally axis of the carrier.
12. The catheter of any one of the preceding claims in which each electrode is cuff- shaped to extend only partway about the periphery of the carrier, the arrangement being such that the electrodes are arranged on an outer side of their loops.
13. The catheter of claim 2 in which each of at least certain of the electrodes at least on the second loop have a temperature measuring facility associated with it.
14. An ablation catheter which includes an elongate carrier having a loop defined at a distal end, the loop comprising a first arm and a second arm, the arms of the loop being at least partly electrically isolated with respect to each other; and at least one electrode arranged on each arm of the loop.
15. The catheter of claim 14 in which each arm carries a plurality of electrodes.
16. The catheter of claim 14 or claim 15 in which the carrier comprises a tubular member defining a lumen with a shape forming member being received in the lumen for forming the loop.
17. The catheter of claim 16 in which the tubular member acts as a mandrel for electrical conductors for the at least one electrode of the loop, the conductors being arranged about an outer surface of the tubular member and being covered in a coating of an insulating material.
18. The catheter of claim 17 in which the tubular member is folded back on itself to form a distal haiφin and a pair of limbs extending from the haiφin, each limb having proximal end, the arms of the loop being defined by distal portions of the limbs on opposite sides of the haiφin.
19. The catheter of claim 18 in which the arms of the loop are electrically isolated from each other at a distal end of the loop.
20. The catheter of claim 19 in which the tubular member includes an electrically isolating discontinuity at the distal end of the arms.
21. The catheter of any one of claims 14 to 20 in which a temperature measuring facility may be associated with at least certain of the electrodes.
22. The catheter of any one of claims 14 to 21 in which the electrodes are shaped only to be on an operatively outer part of the loop.
23. The catheter of claim 22 in which each electrode is substantially semi- cylindrical in shape, or cuff-shaped
24. An ablation catheter which includes an elongate carrier defining an outer periphery; and at least one ablating electrode carried on said outer periphery, said at least one ablating electrode being arranged only partially about the periphery of the carrier.
25. The catheter of claim 24 in which the outer periphery of the loop may be a radially outer part of at least one loop carried by the carrier and the at least one electrode is carried partially about the radially outer part of the at least one loop.
26. The catheter of claim 24 or claim 25 in which the at least one electrode is of semi-cylindrical shape.
27. The catheter of any one of the preceding claims in which a source of energy for effecting ablation is selected from the group comprising radio frequency, microwave, ultrasound, laser and cryoablative energy.
PCT/AU2003/000559 2002-05-13 2003-05-09 An ablation catheter WO2003094764A1 (en)

Priority Applications (10)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/514,308 US7347857B2 (en) 2002-05-13 2003-05-09 Ablation catheter having a loop structure for effecting ablation of tissue
NZ536404A NZ536404A (en) 2002-05-13 2003-05-09 An ablation catheter with sensing and ablation electrodes on respective loops
DE60334984T DE60334984D1 (en) 2002-05-13 2003-05-09 ablation catheter
AT03718549T ATE488192T1 (en) 2002-05-13 2003-05-09 ABLATION CATHETER
CA002485708A CA2485708A1 (en) 2002-05-13 2003-05-09 An ablation catheter
EP03718549A EP1503686B1 (en) 2002-05-13 2003-05-09 An ablation catheter
JP2004502856A JP4467425B2 (en) 2002-05-13 2003-05-09 Ablation catheter
AU2003223261A AU2003223261B2 (en) 2002-05-13 2003-05-09 An ablation catheter
US11/881,431 US7740629B2 (en) 2002-05-13 2007-07-27 Ablation catheter
US12/639,870 US20100106155A1 (en) 2002-05-13 2009-12-16 Ablation catheter

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPS2264A AUPS226402A0 (en) 2002-05-13 2002-05-13 An ablation catheter
AUPS2264 2002-05-13

Related Child Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10514308 A-371-Of-International 2003-05-09
US11/881,431 Continuation US7740629B2 (en) 2002-05-13 2007-07-27 Ablation catheter

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2003094764A1 true WO2003094764A1 (en) 2003-11-20

Family

ID=3835835

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU2003/000559 WO2003094764A1 (en) 2002-05-13 2003-05-09 An ablation catheter

Country Status (10)

Country Link
US (3) US7347857B2 (en)
EP (3) EP2229905B1 (en)
JP (2) JP4467425B2 (en)
CN (1) CN100396251C (en)
AT (1) ATE488192T1 (en)
AU (2) AUPS226402A0 (en)
CA (1) CA2485708A1 (en)
DE (1) DE60334984D1 (en)
NZ (2) NZ536404A (en)
WO (1) WO2003094764A1 (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2005084741A1 (en) * 2004-03-03 2005-09-15 C.R. Bard, Inc. Loop-tip catheter
WO2012134911A1 (en) * 2011-03-25 2012-10-04 Medtronic Ablation Frontiers Llc Cooling systems for electrode arrays
US9084869B2 (en) 2008-10-31 2015-07-21 Cathrx, Ltd Catheter assembly

Families Citing this family (160)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6306132B1 (en) 1999-06-17 2001-10-23 Vivant Medical Modular biopsy and microwave ablation needle delivery apparatus adapted to in situ assembly and method of use
US8347891B2 (en) * 2002-04-08 2013-01-08 Medtronic Ardian Luxembourg S.A.R.L. Methods and apparatus for performing a non-continuous circumferential treatment of a body lumen
US6752767B2 (en) 2002-04-16 2004-06-22 Vivant Medical, Inc. Localization element with energized tip
US7197363B2 (en) 2002-04-16 2007-03-27 Vivant Medical, Inc. Microwave antenna having a curved configuration
AUPS226402A0 (en) * 2002-05-13 2002-06-13 Advanced Metal Coatings Pty Limited An ablation catheter
US20040226556A1 (en) 2003-05-13 2004-11-18 Deem Mark E. Apparatus for treating asthma using neurotoxin
US7311703B2 (en) 2003-07-18 2007-12-25 Vivant Medical, Inc. Devices and methods for cooling microwave antennas
DE202004021951U1 (en) 2003-09-12 2013-06-19 Vessix Vascular, Inc. Selectable eccentric remodeling and / or ablation of atherosclerotic material
US7366557B2 (en) * 2003-11-07 2008-04-29 Biosense Webster, Inc. Flower catheter
JP4707678B2 (en) * 2004-01-26 2011-06-22 カソリック リミテッド Catheter assembly with adjustable loop
US9713730B2 (en) 2004-09-10 2017-07-25 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Apparatus and method for treatment of in-stent restenosis
US8396548B2 (en) 2008-11-14 2013-03-12 Vessix Vascular, Inc. Selective drug delivery in a lumen
US8204570B2 (en) 2005-01-12 2012-06-19 Maquet Critical Care Ab Electrode for physiological signal measurements and method for making same
US7988735B2 (en) * 2005-06-15 2011-08-02 Matthew Yurek Mechanical apparatus and method for delivering materials into the inter-vertebral body space for nucleus replacement
JP5826450B2 (en) 2005-07-22 2015-12-02 ザ ファウンドリー, エルエルシー Systems and methods for delivery of therapeutic agents
US8100946B2 (en) 2005-11-21 2012-01-24 Synthes Usa, Llc Polyaxial bone anchors with increased angulation
US8019435B2 (en) 2006-05-02 2011-09-13 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Control of arterial smooth muscle tone
GB0614557D0 (en) * 2006-07-21 2006-08-30 Emcision Ltd Tissue Ablator
US20080082091A1 (en) * 2006-09-10 2008-04-03 Vladimir Rubtsov Fiber optic tissue ablation
US8068921B2 (en) 2006-09-29 2011-11-29 Vivant Medical, Inc. Microwave antenna assembly and method of using the same
JP5559539B2 (en) 2006-10-18 2014-07-23 べシックス・バスキュラー・インコーポレイテッド System that induces desirable temperature effects on body tissue
CA2666660C (en) 2006-10-18 2015-06-02 Minnow Medical, Inc. Inducing desirable temperature effects on body tissue
EP2455036B1 (en) 2006-10-18 2015-07-15 Vessix Vascular, Inc. Tuned RF energy and electrical tissue characterization for selective treatment of target tissues
US10813696B2 (en) 2006-11-28 2020-10-27 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Apparatus, method and computer program for applying energy to an object
US10932848B2 (en) 2007-02-06 2021-03-02 Microcube, Llc Delivery system for delivering a medical device to a location within a patient's body
US8657815B2 (en) 2007-02-06 2014-02-25 Microcube, Llc Delivery system for delivering a medical device to a location within a patient's body
US9439681B2 (en) 2007-07-20 2016-09-13 DePuy Synthes Products, Inc. Polyaxial bone fixation element
US8292880B2 (en) 2007-11-27 2012-10-23 Vivant Medical, Inc. Targeted cooling of deployable microwave antenna
US8435237B2 (en) 2008-01-29 2013-05-07 Covidien Lp Polyp encapsulation system and method
US8483831B1 (en) 2008-02-15 2013-07-09 Holaira, Inc. System and method for bronchial dilation
WO2009137819A1 (en) 2008-05-09 2009-11-12 Innovative Pulmonary Solutions, Inc. Systems, assemblies, and methods for treating a bronchial tree
US8608739B2 (en) 2008-07-22 2013-12-17 Covidien Lp Electrosurgical devices, systems and methods of using the same
PL2337512T3 (en) 2008-09-12 2012-09-28 Synthes Gmbh Spinal stabilizing and guiding fixation system
CA2738659A1 (en) 2008-09-29 2010-04-01 Synthes Usa, Llc Polyaxial bottom-loading screw and rod assembly
EP2364118B1 (en) * 2008-10-04 2017-07-19 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Loop structures for supporting diagnostic and/or therapeutic elements in contact with tissue
CN102202589A (en) 2008-11-03 2011-09-28 斯恩蒂斯有限公司 Uni-planar bone fixation assembly
WO2010056745A1 (en) 2008-11-17 2010-05-20 Minnow Medical, Inc. Selective accumulation of energy with or without knowledge of tissue topography
US8712550B2 (en) 2008-12-30 2014-04-29 Biosense Webster, Inc. Catheter with multiple electrode assemblies for use at or near tubular regions of the heart
US20100191232A1 (en) * 2009-01-27 2010-07-29 Boveda Marco Medical Llc Catheters and methods for performing electrophysiological interventions
WO2010093603A1 (en) 2009-02-11 2010-08-19 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Insulated ablation catheter devices and methods of use
EP2419031B1 (en) 2009-04-15 2016-11-30 Synthes GmbH Revision connector for spinal constructs
US20100312252A1 (en) * 2009-06-03 2010-12-09 Guangyao Jia Capsularhexis device with flexible heating element having an angled transitional neck
US8814854B2 (en) * 2009-06-03 2014-08-26 Alcon Research, Ltd. Capsulotomy repair device and method for capsulotomy repair
KR20120039622A (en) 2009-06-17 2012-04-25 신세스 게엠바하 Revision connector for spinal constructs
EP3106116B1 (en) 2009-06-30 2018-08-01 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Map and ablate open irrigated hybrid catheter
US20110028962A1 (en) * 2009-07-31 2011-02-03 Randell Werneth Adjustable pulmonary vein ablation catheter
EP2926757B1 (en) 2009-10-27 2023-01-25 Nuvaira, Inc. Delivery devices with coolable energy emitting assemblies
US9173702B2 (en) 2009-11-10 2015-11-03 Cardea Medsystems (Tianjin) Co., Ltd. Hollow body cavity ablation apparatus
US10660697B2 (en) 2009-11-10 2020-05-26 Cardea Medsystems (Tianjin) Co., Ltd. Hollow body cavity ablation apparatus
JP6000851B2 (en) 2009-11-11 2016-10-05 ホライラ, インコーポレイテッド Systems, devices, and methods for tissue treatment and stenosis control
US20120302857A1 (en) * 2010-01-25 2012-11-29 Kyushu Institute Of Technology Brain signal measurement system and measurement system
JP2013523318A (en) 2010-04-09 2013-06-17 べシックス・バスキュラー・インコーポレイテッド Power generation and control equipment for tissue treatment
US9192790B2 (en) 2010-04-14 2015-11-24 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Focused ultrasonic renal denervation
CN103096826B (en) * 2010-04-26 2016-07-20 美敦力阿迪安卢森堡有限公司 For the catheter device of renal nerve adjustment, system and method
US9241755B2 (en) 2010-05-11 2016-01-26 Alcon Research, Ltd. Capsule polishing device and method for capsule polishing
US8473067B2 (en) 2010-06-11 2013-06-25 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Renal denervation and stimulation employing wireless vascular energy transfer arrangement
US9358365B2 (en) 2010-07-30 2016-06-07 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Precision electrode movement control for renal nerve ablation
US9408661B2 (en) 2010-07-30 2016-08-09 Patrick A. Haverkost RF electrodes on multiple flexible wires for renal nerve ablation
US9084609B2 (en) 2010-07-30 2015-07-21 Boston Scientific Scime, Inc. Spiral balloon catheter for renal nerve ablation
US9463062B2 (en) 2010-07-30 2016-10-11 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Cooled conductive balloon RF catheter for renal nerve ablation
US9155589B2 (en) 2010-07-30 2015-10-13 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Sequential activation RF electrode set for renal nerve ablation
US9539046B2 (en) 2010-08-03 2017-01-10 Medtronic Cryocath Lp Cryogenic medical mapping and treatment device
AU2011239316A1 (en) * 2010-10-25 2012-05-10 Aboytes, Maria G. Catheter apparatuses having multi-electrode arrays for renal neuromodulation and associated systems and method
US8974451B2 (en) 2010-10-25 2015-03-10 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Renal nerve ablation using conductive fluid jet and RF energy
US9220558B2 (en) 2010-10-27 2015-12-29 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. RF renal denervation catheter with multiple independent electrodes
US9028485B2 (en) 2010-11-15 2015-05-12 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Self-expanding cooling electrode for renal nerve ablation
US9089350B2 (en) 2010-11-16 2015-07-28 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Renal denervation catheter with RF electrode and integral contrast dye injection arrangement
US9668811B2 (en) 2010-11-16 2017-06-06 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Minimally invasive access for renal nerve ablation
US9326751B2 (en) 2010-11-17 2016-05-03 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Catheter guidance of external energy for renal denervation
US9060761B2 (en) 2010-11-18 2015-06-23 Boston Scientific Scime, Inc. Catheter-focused magnetic field induced renal nerve ablation
US9192435B2 (en) 2010-11-22 2015-11-24 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Renal denervation catheter with cooled RF electrode
US9023034B2 (en) 2010-11-22 2015-05-05 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Renal ablation electrode with force-activatable conduction apparatus
US20120157993A1 (en) 2010-12-15 2012-06-21 Jenson Mark L Bipolar Off-Wall Electrode Device for Renal Nerve Ablation
US9089340B2 (en) 2010-12-30 2015-07-28 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Ultrasound guided tissue ablation
US9220561B2 (en) 2011-01-19 2015-12-29 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Guide-compatible large-electrode catheter for renal nerve ablation with reduced arterial injury
US9241687B2 (en) 2011-06-01 2016-01-26 Boston Scientific Scimed Inc. Ablation probe with ultrasonic imaging capabilities
US9119636B2 (en) 2011-06-27 2015-09-01 Boston Scientific Scimed Inc. Dispersive belt for an ablation system
CN103813745B (en) 2011-07-20 2016-06-29 波士顿科学西美德公司 In order to visualize, be directed at and to melt transcutaneous device and the method for nerve
US9186209B2 (en) 2011-07-22 2015-11-17 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Nerve modulation system having helical guide
WO2013040201A2 (en) 2011-09-14 2013-03-21 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Ablation device with multiple ablation modes
WO2013040297A1 (en) 2011-09-14 2013-03-21 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Ablation device with ionically conductive balloon
EP2765942B1 (en) 2011-10-10 2016-02-24 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Medical devices including ablation electrodes
EP2765940B1 (en) 2011-10-11 2015-08-26 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Off-wall electrode device for nerve modulation
US9420955B2 (en) 2011-10-11 2016-08-23 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Intravascular temperature monitoring system and method
US9364284B2 (en) 2011-10-12 2016-06-14 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Method of making an off-wall spacer cage
WO2013058962A1 (en) 2011-10-18 2013-04-25 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Deflectable medical devices
WO2013059202A1 (en) 2011-10-18 2013-04-25 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Integrated crossing balloon catheter
EP3366250A1 (en) 2011-11-08 2018-08-29 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Ostial renal nerve ablation
WO2013074813A1 (en) 2011-11-15 2013-05-23 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Device and methods for renal nerve modulation monitoring
US9119632B2 (en) 2011-11-21 2015-09-01 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Deflectable renal nerve ablation catheter
US9192766B2 (en) 2011-12-02 2015-11-24 Medtronic Ardian Luxembourg S.A.R.L. Renal neuromodulation methods and devices for treatment of polycystic kidney disease
US9265969B2 (en) 2011-12-21 2016-02-23 Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. Methods for modulating cell function
JP6130397B2 (en) 2011-12-23 2017-05-17 べシックス・バスキュラー・インコーポレイテッド Device for remodeling tissue in or adjacent to a body passage
CN104135958B (en) 2011-12-28 2017-05-03 波士顿科学西美德公司 By the apparatus and method that have the new ablation catheter modulation nerve of polymer ablation
EP2797536B1 (en) 2011-12-28 2016-04-13 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Ablation probe with ultrasonic imaging capability
US9050106B2 (en) 2011-12-29 2015-06-09 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Off-wall electrode device and methods for nerve modulation
AU2013207994B2 (en) 2012-01-10 2015-05-07 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Electrophysiology system
US8945015B2 (en) 2012-01-31 2015-02-03 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Ablation probe with fluid-based acoustic coupling for ultrasonic tissue imaging and treatment
AU2013230781B2 (en) 2012-03-08 2015-12-03 Medtronic Af Luxembourg S.A.R.L. Ovarian neuromodulation and associated systems and methods
US9314299B2 (en) 2012-03-21 2016-04-19 Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd. Flower catheter for mapping and ablating veinous and other tubular locations
WO2013169927A1 (en) 2012-05-08 2013-11-14 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Renal nerve modulation devices
CN102688091B (en) * 2012-06-15 2014-06-25 上海安通医疗科技有限公司 Renal artery radio frequency ablation catheter
CN104540465A (en) 2012-08-24 2015-04-22 波士顿科学西美德公司 Intravascular catheter with a balloon comprising separate microporous regions
US9173696B2 (en) 2012-09-17 2015-11-03 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Self-positioning electrode system and method for renal nerve modulation
WO2014047068A1 (en) 2012-09-18 2014-03-27 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Map and ablate closed-loop cooled ablation catheter
US9211156B2 (en) 2012-09-18 2015-12-15 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Map and ablate closed-loop cooled ablation catheter with flat tip
US10398464B2 (en) 2012-09-21 2019-09-03 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. System for nerve modulation and innocuous thermal gradient nerve block
WO2014047454A2 (en) 2012-09-21 2014-03-27 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Self-cooling ultrasound ablation catheter
CN104869930B (en) 2012-10-10 2020-12-25 波士顿科学国际有限公司 Renal neuromodulation apparatus and methods
USD707818S1 (en) 2013-03-05 2014-06-24 Alcon Research Ltd. Capsulorhexis handpiece
US9956033B2 (en) 2013-03-11 2018-05-01 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Medical devices for modulating nerves
US9693821B2 (en) 2013-03-11 2017-07-04 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Medical devices for modulating nerves
US9808311B2 (en) 2013-03-13 2017-11-07 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Deflectable medical devices
US9271750B2 (en) 2013-03-13 2016-03-01 Kyphon Sarl Expandable cannula and method of use
AU2014237950B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2017-04-13 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Control unit for use with electrode pads and a method for estimating an electrical leakage
US9198684B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2015-12-01 Kyphon Sarl Surgical cutting device having a blunt tip for protecting tissue adjacent targeted tissue and method for use thereof
US10265122B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2019-04-23 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Nerve ablation devices and related methods of use
WO2014150553A1 (en) 2013-03-15 2014-09-25 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Methods and apparatuses for remodeling tissue of or adjacent to a body passage
US10849684B2 (en) 2013-06-07 2020-12-01 Cathrx Ltd Electrical lead for a catheter and method of manufacturing
CN105473092B (en) 2013-06-21 2019-05-17 波士顿科学国际有限公司 The medical instrument for renal nerve ablation with rotatable shaft
CN105473091B (en) 2013-06-21 2020-01-21 波士顿科学国际有限公司 Renal denervation balloon catheter with co-movable electrode supports
US9707036B2 (en) 2013-06-25 2017-07-18 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Devices and methods for nerve modulation using localized indifferent electrodes
CN105358084B (en) 2013-07-01 2018-11-09 波士顿科学国际有限公司 Medical instrument for renal nerve ablation
EP3019106A1 (en) 2013-07-11 2016-05-18 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Medical device with stretchable electrode assemblies
CN105377169B (en) 2013-07-11 2019-04-19 波士顿科学国际有限公司 Device and method for neuromodulation
CN105682594B (en) 2013-07-19 2018-06-22 波士顿科学国际有限公司 Helical bipolar electrodes renal denervation dominates air bag
EP3024406B1 (en) 2013-07-22 2019-06-19 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Medical devices for renal nerve ablation
EP3024405A1 (en) 2013-07-22 2016-06-01 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Renal nerve ablation catheter having twist balloon
EP3035879A1 (en) 2013-08-22 2016-06-29 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Flexible circuit having improved adhesion to a renal nerve modulation balloon
US9895194B2 (en) 2013-09-04 2018-02-20 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Radio frequency (RF) balloon catheter having flushing and cooling capability
WO2015038947A1 (en) 2013-09-13 2015-03-19 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Ablation balloon with vapor deposited cover layer
EP3057488B1 (en) 2013-10-14 2018-05-16 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. High resolution cardiac mapping electrode array catheter
US11246654B2 (en) 2013-10-14 2022-02-15 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Flexible renal nerve ablation devices and related methods of use and manufacture
WO2015057584A1 (en) 2013-10-15 2015-04-23 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Medical device balloon
US9770606B2 (en) 2013-10-15 2017-09-26 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Ultrasound ablation catheter with cooling infusion and centering basket
JP6259099B2 (en) 2013-10-18 2018-01-10 ボストン サイエンティフィック サイムド,インコーポレイテッドBoston Scientific Scimed,Inc. Balloon catheter comprising a conductive wire with flexibility, and related uses and manufacturing methods
WO2015061457A1 (en) 2013-10-25 2015-04-30 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Embedded thermocouple in denervation flex circuit
US10105073B2 (en) * 2013-11-21 2018-10-23 Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd Flexible multiple-arm diagnostic catheter
EP3091922B1 (en) 2014-01-06 2018-10-17 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Tear resistant flex circuit assembly
CN106572881B (en) 2014-02-04 2019-07-26 波士顿科学国际有限公司 Substitution of the heat sensor on bipolar electrode is placed
US11000679B2 (en) 2014-02-04 2021-05-11 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Balloon protection and rewrapping devices and related methods of use
US9622811B2 (en) 2014-02-21 2017-04-18 Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc. Surgical instrument and method
USD737438S1 (en) 2014-03-04 2015-08-25 Novartis Ag Capsulorhexis handpiece
CN103989521B (en) * 2014-05-16 2017-11-17 上海微创电生理医疗科技有限公司 A kind of catheter ablation device and its radio frequency ablation catheter
US20150342672A1 (en) * 2014-05-30 2015-12-03 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Double micro-electrode catheter
US9468407B2 (en) 2014-05-30 2016-10-18 Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd. Catheter with distal section having side-by-side loops
CN106793968A (en) 2014-10-13 2017-05-31 波士顿科学医学有限公司 Organizational diagnosis and treatment using microelectrode
EP4316361A2 (en) 2014-10-24 2024-02-07 Boston Scientific Scimed Inc. Medical devices with a flexible electrode assembly coupled to an ablation tip
US9743854B2 (en) 2014-12-18 2017-08-29 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Real-time morphology analysis for lesion assessment
CN106031657B (en) * 2015-03-13 2019-03-26 杭州安杰思医学科技有限公司 Medical integral type polyp extractor
CN104783896A (en) * 2015-04-30 2015-07-22 常承忠 Radiofrequency ablation electrode capable of adjusting direction of electrode tip
AU2016275556A1 (en) * 2015-06-10 2017-12-14 Cathrx Ltd Double shape catheter
DE102017004548A1 (en) 2016-12-23 2018-06-28 Xenios Ag Cannula with a wire running along the cannula
EP3551108B1 (en) * 2017-02-10 2022-06-22 St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc. Apparatus and method for cryoablation
EP3790485A1 (en) * 2018-05-07 2021-03-17 Farapulse, Inc. Epicardial ablation catheter
US20210113263A1 (en) * 2019-10-22 2021-04-22 Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd. Inflatable sleeve multi-electrode catheter
CN112120782B (en) * 2020-09-27 2023-12-08 山东冠龙医疗用品有限公司 High-frequency surgical equipment and use method
CN112353484B (en) * 2020-10-20 2022-02-25 上海交通大学 Flexible microsensor system, extensible flexible device and preparation method
CN114081614A (en) * 2021-07-26 2022-02-25 上海健康医学院 Pulsed electric field tissue ablation device
CN114145841A (en) * 2021-12-06 2022-03-08 杭州维纳安可医疗科技有限责任公司 Pulse ablation device, control method thereof and storage medium

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6120496A (en) * 1998-05-05 2000-09-19 Scimed Life Systems, Inc. Surgical method and apparatus for positioning a diagnostic or therapeutic element within the body and coupling device for use with same
EP1042990A1 (en) 1999-04-05 2000-10-11 Medtronic, Inc. Ablation catheter and method for isolating a pulmonary vein
US20010007070A1 (en) * 1999-04-05 2001-07-05 Medtronic, Inc. Ablation catheter assembly and method for isolating a pulmonary vein

Family Cites Families (31)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4101984A (en) 1975-05-09 1978-07-25 Macgregor David C Cardiovascular prosthetic devices and implants with porous systems
US4073287A (en) * 1976-04-05 1978-02-14 American Medical Systems, Inc. Urethral profilometry catheter
US4972846A (en) 1989-01-31 1990-11-27 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. Patch electrodes for use with defibrillators
CA2039088A1 (en) * 1990-07-20 1992-01-21 Mark A. Rydell Polypectome snare with bipolar electrodes
US5282845A (en) * 1990-10-01 1994-02-01 Ventritex, Inc. Multiple electrode deployable lead
US5263493A (en) * 1992-02-24 1993-11-23 Boaz Avitall Deflectable loop electrode array mapping and ablation catheter for cardiac chambers
US5586982A (en) * 1992-04-10 1996-12-24 Abela; George S. Cell transfection apparatus and method
US5269810A (en) 1992-06-19 1993-12-14 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. Patch electrode
GB9213379D0 (en) * 1992-06-24 1992-08-05 Smiths Industries Plc Medico-surgical devices
US5311866A (en) * 1992-09-23 1994-05-17 Endocardial Therapeutics, Inc. Heart mapping catheter
JP3423719B2 (en) * 1993-03-16 2003-07-07 ボストン サイエンティフィック リミテッド Multiple electrode support mechanism
WO1995010318A1 (en) * 1993-10-14 1995-04-20 Ep Technologies, Inc. Electrode elements for forming lesion patterns
US5575810A (en) * 1993-10-15 1996-11-19 Ep Technologies, Inc. Composite structures and methods for ablating tissue to form complex lesion patterns in the treatment of cardiac conditions and the like
US6056744A (en) * 1994-06-24 2000-05-02 Conway Stuart Medical, Inc. Sphincter treatment apparatus
US5522874A (en) 1994-07-28 1996-06-04 Gates; James T. Medical lead having segmented electrode
US5722401A (en) 1994-10-19 1998-03-03 Cardiac Pathways Corporation Endocardial mapping and/or ablation catheter probe
WO1996036860A2 (en) 1995-05-01 1996-11-21 Ep Technologies, Inc. Systems and methods for sensing sub-surface temperatures in body tissue during ablation with actively cooled electrodes
US5755758A (en) 1995-11-07 1998-05-26 Medtronic, Inc. Intramuscular stimulation lead with enhanced infection resistance
US6071278A (en) 1996-02-28 2000-06-06 Ep Technologies, Inc. Tissue heating and ablation systems and methods using porous electrode structures with specified electrical resistivities
US5755760A (en) * 1996-03-11 1998-05-26 Medtronic, Inc. Deflectable catheter
US6267760B1 (en) * 1998-05-05 2001-07-31 Scimed Life Systems, Inc. Surgical method and apparatus for positioning a diagnostic or therapeutic element within the body and forming an incision in tissue with minimal blood loss
US5931862A (en) 1997-12-22 1999-08-03 Pacesetter, Inc. Medical lead and method of making and using with sodium sulfosuccinic ester
JP3879055B2 (en) * 1998-02-19 2007-02-07 キューロン メディカル,インコーポレイテッド Electrosurgical sphincter treatment instrument
US6454727B1 (en) * 1998-03-03 2002-09-24 Senorx, Inc. Tissue acquisition system and method of use
CN1199536C (en) 1999-10-26 2005-04-27 伊比登株式会社 Multilayer printed wiring board and method of producing multilayer printed wiring board
US6711444B2 (en) * 1999-11-22 2004-03-23 Scimed Life Systems, Inc. Methods of deploying helical diagnostic and therapeutic element supporting structures within the body
EP2712567A1 (en) * 1999-11-22 2014-04-02 Boston Scientific Limited Loop structures for supporting diagnostic and therapeutic elements in contact with body tissue
US6972016B2 (en) * 2001-05-01 2005-12-06 Cardima, Inc. Helically shaped electrophysiology catheter
US6771996B2 (en) * 2001-05-24 2004-08-03 Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. Ablation and high-resolution mapping catheter system for pulmonary vein foci elimination
US6669693B2 (en) * 2001-11-13 2003-12-30 Mayo Foundation For Medical Education And Research Tissue ablation device and methods of using
AUPS226402A0 (en) * 2002-05-13 2002-06-13 Advanced Metal Coatings Pty Limited An ablation catheter

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6120496A (en) * 1998-05-05 2000-09-19 Scimed Life Systems, Inc. Surgical method and apparatus for positioning a diagnostic or therapeutic element within the body and coupling device for use with same
EP1042990A1 (en) 1999-04-05 2000-10-11 Medtronic, Inc. Ablation catheter and method for isolating a pulmonary vein
US20010007070A1 (en) * 1999-04-05 2001-07-05 Medtronic, Inc. Ablation catheter assembly and method for isolating a pulmonary vein

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2005084741A1 (en) * 2004-03-03 2005-09-15 C.R. Bard, Inc. Loop-tip catheter
US7465286B2 (en) 2004-03-03 2008-12-16 C. R. Bard, Inc. Loop-tip catheter
US8057424B2 (en) 2004-03-03 2011-11-15 C. R. Bard, Inc. Loop-tip catheter
US8920363B2 (en) 2004-03-03 2014-12-30 C. R. Bard, Inc. Loop-tip catheter
US9084869B2 (en) 2008-10-31 2015-07-21 Cathrx, Ltd Catheter assembly
US9956378B2 (en) 2008-10-31 2018-05-01 Cathrx Ltd. Catheter assembly
WO2012134911A1 (en) * 2011-03-25 2012-10-04 Medtronic Ablation Frontiers Llc Cooling systems for electrode arrays
US9168093B2 (en) 2011-03-25 2015-10-27 Medtronic Ablation Frontiers Llc Cooling systems for electrode arrays

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US7740629B2 (en) 2010-06-22
EP1503686A4 (en) 2008-06-18
AU2003223261B2 (en) 2008-06-26
JP4467425B2 (en) 2010-05-26
CN1652728A (en) 2005-08-10
US20070270794A1 (en) 2007-11-22
US20100106155A1 (en) 2010-04-29
AUPS226402A0 (en) 2002-06-13
EP1503686B1 (en) 2010-11-17
US20060089634A1 (en) 2006-04-27
EP2229905A1 (en) 2010-09-22
JP2010000370A (en) 2010-01-07
CA2485708A1 (en) 2003-11-20
EP1503686A1 (en) 2005-02-09
NZ536404A (en) 2007-06-29
US7347857B2 (en) 2008-03-25
CN100396251C (en) 2008-06-25
JP2005525164A (en) 2005-08-25
NZ554393A (en) 2008-08-29
JP4944172B2 (en) 2012-05-30
AU2003223261A1 (en) 2003-11-11
EP2229906A1 (en) 2010-09-22
EP2229905B1 (en) 2014-08-06
ATE488192T1 (en) 2010-12-15
DE60334984D1 (en) 2010-12-30

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
AU2003223261B2 (en) An ablation catheter
CA2769071C (en) Adjustable pulmonary vein ablation catheter
US8951247B2 (en) Methods and apparatus for forming cardiac lesions and assessing lesion quality
US6972016B2 (en) Helically shaped electrophysiology catheter
EP1383426B1 (en) Catheter for three dimensional mapping of electrical activity in blood vessels
US6837886B2 (en) Apparatus and methods for mapping and ablation in electrophysiology procedures
US5680860A (en) Mapping and/or ablation catheter with coilable distal extremity and method for using same
US20040187875A1 (en) Method and apparatus for altering conduction properties along pathways in the heart and in vessels in conductive communication with the heart.
WO2004100813A2 (en) Multi-purpose catheter apparatus and method of use
WO2007059361A1 (en) Endocardial electrophysiology device and method

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EC EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NI NO NZ OM PH PL PT RO RU SC SD SE SG SK SL TJ TM TN TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VC VN YU ZA ZM ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZM ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GQ GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2003223261

Country of ref document: AU

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 536404

Country of ref document: NZ

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2485708

Country of ref document: CA

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2004502856

Country of ref document: JP

Ref document number: 20038110407

Country of ref document: CN

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2003718549

Country of ref document: EP

WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: 2003718549

Country of ref document: EP

ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 2006089634

Country of ref document: US

Kind code of ref document: A1

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 10514308

Country of ref document: US

WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: 10514308

Country of ref document: US