Ablation catheter, system, and method of use thereof

Overview

Information

Number
6893438
Application
10/286548
Filing date
11/01/2002
Issue date
05/17/2005
Inventor(s)
Jeffrey A. Hall, Bruce H. KenKnight, G. Neal Kay, Gregory P. Walcott, Wade A. Bowe
US Classification
606/41; 607/122
View at USPTO

Citations

Boston Scientific (3)
Medtronic (2)
Regents of the University of California, The (2)
NA (1)
Cardiac Pacemakers (1)
St. Jude Medical (1)

Abstract

Abstract

A cardiac ablation apparatus for producing a circumferential ablation that electrically isolates a heart chamber wall portion from vessel such as a pulmonary vein extending into said wall portion comprises (a) an elongate centering catheter having a distal end portion; (b) an expandable centering element connected to said centering catheter distal end portion and configured for positioning within said vessel when in a retracted configuration, and for securing said elongate centering catheter in a substantially axially aligned position with respect to said vessel when said centering element is in an expanded configuration; (c) an ablation catheter slidably connected to said centering catheter said ablation element having a distal end portion, and (d) an expandable ablation element connected to said ablation catheter distal end portion. The ablation element is configured to form a circumferential ablation on the wall around the elongate centering catheter when the centering catheter is axially aligned with respect to the vessel. In a further embodiment, a non-expandable, compliant centering element is employed, such as an elastic finger. Systems incorporating such an apparatus and methods of use thereof are also disclosed.

Assignees with Similar Patents

Cardiac Pacemakers (16)
Regents of the University of California, The (11)
EP Technologies (10)
Atrionix (6)
Boston Scientific (5)

Referenced by

Medtronic (34)
farapulse (29)
nuvaira (27)
auris health (18)
ademco (14)
Boston Scientific (9)
santa anna tech (9)
Covidien (8)
ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY FRONTIERS S.P.A. (7)
COHEREX MEDICAL (6)
Syntach (5)
VytronUS (5)
University Of Iowa Research Foundation (3)
MEDTRONIC ABLATION FRONTIERS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC (3)
Honeywell International (2)
REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, THE (2)
HANTEL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (1)
beijing amsino medical (1)
MEDTRONIC ALBATION FRONTIERS LLC (1)
iowa approach (1)
ablacor medical (1)

Tech Analysis

Class Subclass Type Reference Factor Citation Factor Strength Grant time Early grant (%)
606 41 Emerging Average Average Medium High Average 37.4
607 122 Emerging Sustaining Average Medium Low Average 51.6