Abstract:
The present invention is a catheter actuation handle for deflecting a distal end of a tubular catheter body, the handle including an auto-locking mechanism. The handle comprises upper and lower grip portions, an actuator, and an auto-locking mechanism. The auto-locking mechanism is adapted to hold a deflected distal end of the catheter in place without input from the operator. When the distal end of the catheter is deflected from its zero position, it typically will seek a return to its zero position, and as a result exerts a force on the actuator. The auto-locking mechanism acts by providing a second force that resists this force from the distal end and holds the distal end in place. As a result, the operator does not need to maintain contact with the buttons to maintain the distal end in a set position once placed there by actuating the actuator.
Abstract:
An apparatus for imparting a tensile force to deflect a distal portion of a catheter while maintaining its exterior dimensions may include a handle grip including a cross-section of generally predetermined exterior dimensions, and a longitudinal axis. A flexible elongate member may include proximal and distal end portions, with the proximal end portion being coupled to the handle grip. An adjustment knob may include a cross-section of generally predetermined exterior dimensions, and is rotatably coupled to the handle grip around the longitudinal axis. An elongate deflection member may be operably coupled to the adjustment knob and to the distal end portion of the elongate member. Rotation of the adjustment knob may impart a tensile force to the deflection member thereby causing the distal end portion of the elongate member to deflect from a prior configuration while maintaining the generally predetermined exterior dimensions of the handle grip and the adjustment knob.
Abstract:
An ablation catheter is disclosed having proximal and distal ends and an external surface, a lumen contained within the catheter body, a plurality of openings in the surface of the catheter, wherein the openings are in communication with the lumen, one or more electrodes secured within the catheter within the lumen and a source for conductive media to be introduced into the lumen to contact the electrode. The ablation catheter also may contain a conductive media flow control system which controls the flow of the conductive media through the openings in the surface of the catheter. Also disclosed is a process for ablation of human tissue which includes introducing an ablation catheter into the human body to a location to be ablated, passing a conductive media through a lumen of the catheter to contact one or more electrodes, passing the conductive media through the openings in the catheter body to contact the tissue to be ablated, and conducting energy from the electrode through the conductive media to the tissue for a sufficient period of time to ablate the tissue.
Abstract:
An ablation catheter including a shaft supporting one or more partially or completely exposed braided electrodes that may be positioned against a target tissue to ablate the tissue. The shaft may be precurved in a loop-like shape or any other shape to assist in positioning the electrode against a target tissue. The shaft may include a fluid lumen to direct a fluid material, which may be conductive, through one or more apertures or ports. The ports are adapted to direct the fluid past portions of the braided electrode to cool the electrode, flush blood away from the electrode, and to transfer ablation energy to the target tissue. Ablation energy may be delivered directly by the electrode and by way of a conductive fluid contacting the electrode. The shaft may further include a second lumen to provide a housing for a control wire that may be used to control the shape of the shaft.
Abstract:
The present invention is a handle for controlling the deflection of a distal end of a catheter body. The catheter body includes first and second deflection wires that extend through the catheter body from the distal end of the catheter body. The handle comprises a slide base, an adjustment knob, a first slide and a second slide. The slide base includes a first end, a second end, and a slide compartment longitudinally extending through at least a portion of the slide base. The adjustment knob is rotateably connected to the first end of the slide base and includes a hole extending through the knob, wherein at least a portion of an inner diameter of the hole includes an internal right thread and an internal left thread. The first slide is located in the slide compartment, is adapted to be coupled to the first deflection wire, and includes an external right thread. The second slide is located in the slide compartment, is adapted to be coupled to the second deflection wire, and includes an external left thread. The internal threads of the knob engage the threads of the slides. Consequently, in operation, rotation of the adjustment knob causes the slides to displace in opposite directions within the slide compartment and the distal end of the catheter body to deflect accordingly.
Abstract:
A process for preventing atrial premature contractions originating within a pulmonary vein from being conducted into the left atrium of a human heart. More specifically, an ablation lesion is formed which electrically isolates the located source of the atrial premature contraction in the pulmonary vein from connection with the left atrium and blocks passage of the atrial premature contraction originating from the located source. In one embodiment, the steps of the process include advancing a medical device into the left atrium of a human heart, introducing the advanced medical device into the pulmonary vein from the left atrium of a human heart, sensing electrical activity within the pulmonary vein using the introduced medical device, locating a source of the atrial premature contraction within the pulmonary vein using the sensed electrical activity, and forming an ablation lesion in tissue of the pulmonary vein at a location proximal from the located source of the atrial premature contraction within the pulmonary vein. Conductive media and various medical devices may be used with the process.
Abstract:
A process for the treatment of atrial arrhythmia by use of ablation procedures comprising circumferential ablation of vessels, particularly pulmonary veins, associated with the left atrium of the heart. Also medical devices for such process including a pair of balloons secured to a catheter with one balloon located within the other balloon and an ablation catheter located within one of the balloons, which devices are used for the formation of a circumferential ablation lesion in the pulmonary vein.
Abstract:
An apparatus for imparting a tensile force to deflect a distal portion of a catheter while maintaining its exterior dimensions may include a handle grip including a cross-section of generally predetermined exterior dimensions, and a longitudinal axis. A flexible elongate member may include proximal and distal end portions, with the proximal end portion being coupled to the handle grip. An adjustment knob may include a cross-section of generally predetermined exterior dimensions, and is rotatably coupled to the handle grip around the longitudinal axis. An elongate deflection member may be operably coupled to the adjustment knob and to the distal end portion of the elongate member. Rotation of the adjustment knob may impart a tensile force to the deflection member thereby causing the distal end portion of the elongate member to deflect from a prior configuration while maintaining the generally predetermined exterior dimensions of the handle grip and the adjustment knob.
Abstract:
A process for the treatment of atrial arrhythmia by use of ablation procedures comprising circumferential ablation of vessels, particularly pulmonary veins associated with the left atrium of the heart. Also disclosed are medical devices used for formation of the circumferential ablation lesions in vessels associated with the heart.
Abstract:
An ablation system for ablating cardiac tissue within a chamber of the human heart including a guiding introducer system, a rail, one end of which is contained within the guiding introducer system, and an ablation catheter system which is supported by the guiding introducer system. The guiding introducer system may be a single or multiple guiding introducers. The ablation system may include a slotted sheath which passes over the rail which supports the ablation catheter. A process is disclosed for ablation of cardiac tissue to form a linear lesion utilizing a rail catheter ablation and mapping system which includes a guiding introducer, a rail and an ablation catheter system advanced over the rail.