Abstract:
An endocardial mapping and ablation system (11) includes a catheter probe (12) comprised of a plurality of flexible longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced apart arms (23). Electrodes (21) are carried by the arms and are adapted to be moved into engagement with the wall of the heart. Markers (66) visibly ultrasonically are carried by the arms for encoding the arms from another. An ablation catheter (13) is carried by and is slidably mounted in probe (12) and has a distal extremity movable into the heart while the probe is disposed therein. An ablation electrode (86) and ultrasonic viewing means (41) are carried by the distal extremity of the ablation catheter. The distal extremity of the ablation catheter is movable into positions to view ultrasonically the markers carried by the arms of the catheter probe so that the arms can be identified and the spacing of the arms can be ascertained.
Abstract:
In a shapable catheter and method for positioning a shapable catheter within a body cavity, a core wire is provided which includes a pre-shaped region bent into a predetermined shape. A catheter is provided which includes a lumen proportioned to slidably receive the core wire. The catheter includes a rigid proximal section and a flexible distal section. During use, the distal end of the catheter is inserted through a patient's vasculature and is passed into a body cavity. The pre-shaped region of the core wire is passed into the lumen and is straightened by the rigid proximal section of the catheter. The pre-shaped region is passed further into the catheter until it reaches the flexible distal region, in which the pre-shaped section re-assumes its predetermined shape and causes the core wire to form the distal section of the catheter into the predetermined shape. The distal section of the catheter is positioned in contact with tissue in the body cavity, and electrodes carried by the distal end are used to map and/or ablate the tissue.
Abstract:
The mapping and/or ablation catheter (12) for use in ablating the tissue in the wall forming a chamber in the heart comprising a flexible elongate tubular member (14) having proximal and distal extremities, an end cap (21) formed of a conductive material mounted on the distal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member (14), a fixation means (24) carried by the end cap (21) for engaging the wall of the heart and for retaining the end cap (21) in a predetermined position on the wall of the heart during beating of the heart, said fixation means (24) being movable between tissue engaging and disengaging positions. A means (11) is carried by the proximal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member for moving the fixation means between the engaging and disengaging positions.
Abstract:
Apparatus for mapping a wall of a heart forming a chamber in the heart comprising a guiding catheter (21) having a lumen extending therethrough and a mapping catheter (51) having a shaft (52) that is slidably mounted in the lumen of the guiding catheter. A basket assembly (61) is provided and is comprised of a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart longitudinally extending arms (62) having proximal and distal extremities (63, 64). The proximal extremities of the arms are secured to the distal extremity of the shaft of the mapping catheter. Each of the arms includes a member formed of a material having a recoverable strain in excess of 1 % and had an outwardly bowed shape memory. At least one electrode (68) is provided on each of the arms. Conductors (69) connected to the electrodes are carried by the arms.
Abstract:
An apparatus for ablating body tissue, and particularly for creating linear lesions within a chamber of a patient's heart, includes an elongate member having an ablation section. The ablation section includes an infusion tube and a plurality of spaced electrodes. The infusion tube and electrodes are covered by a fluid permeable foam material, and the foam material is covered by a fluid impermeable covering having a plurality of holes formed in it. During use, the ablation section is positioned against tissue to be ablated. Radiofrequency energy is delivered to the electrodes while saline or other conductive fluid is delivered to the infusion tube. The fluid exits the infusion tube at the ablation section, contacts the electrodes, and carries RF energy from the electrodes through the foam, through the holes in the covering and into contact with the body tissue to form a burn in the body tissue.
Abstract:
An endocardial mapping catheter (10) includes an actuator assembly (14) and an elongated hollow support sheath (12) which extends from the actuator assembly (14). A plurality of electrical probes (18 a-h) are slidingly disposed for independent movement through the sheath (12), and each probe (18) is attached to the actuator assembly (14) for individual manipulation. A guide (16) is mounted on the end of the sheath (12) opposite the actuator assembly (14), to radially deploy each electrical probe (18) along a separate favorable trajectory as the probe is manipulated. In operation, the probes (18) are initially retracted into the sheath (12). Once the guide (16) is positioned as desired, all of the probes (18) are individually deployed until they have each made contact with the endocardium of the left ventricle. Timed responses are obtained from the probes (18), and a series of such responses from various guide locations in the left ventricle are recorded to accomplish circumferential endocardial mapping of the heart.
Abstract:
A catheter comprising a flexible elongate tubular member (22) having proximal and distal extremities. A deflection tip (31) is carried by the distal extremity of the flexible tubular member and has a curved deflecting surface (29). The flexible elongate member has a plurality of lumens (26) therein extending through the distal extremity of the flexible elongate member and opening onto the curved deflecting surface of the deflecting tip. A plurality of arms (41) are slidably mounted in the lumens. Each of the arms has a plurality of electrodes (57) spaced-apart longitudinally thereon. A control mechanism (101) is secured to the proximal extremity of the flexible elongate member and is coupled to the plurality of arms for moving the distal extremities of the arms into engagement with the deflection tip to cause the arms to deflect proximally and outwardly from the deflection tip.
Abstract:
Catheter (11) with a retractable cannula for delivering a plurality of chemicals comprising a flexible elongate member (13) having a centrally disposed lumen (17) and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart lumens (18-25). An actuator member (31) is slidably mounted in the centrally disposed lumen (17). Springs (56-57) are disposed within the centrally disposed lumen (17) and engage the actuator member (31) for moving the actuator member between extended and retracted positions. A tool (36) having a distal extremity is carried by the actuator member (31) and has a flow passage (38) therein extending through the distal extremity of the tool (36). First and second fittings (48-49) are secured to the proximal extremity of the flexible elongate member (13) in communication with the lumens (18-25) in the flexible elongate element (13). The distal extremity of the flexible elongate member (13) is capable of supplying fluid from said passage lumens (18-25) to the flow passage (38) in the tool (36) when the tool (36) has been advanced to an extended position.
Abstract:
An apparatus (22) for mapping the wall of a chamber of the heart. The apparatus (22) includes a flexible elongate tubular member (23) having proximal and distal extremities (27, 28) and at least one lumen (31) extending therethrough. A plurality of longitudinally and radially spaced-apart electrodes (42, 43) are provided. An expandable device (32) is carried by the distal extremity (28) of the flexible elongate tubular member (23) and is movable between a contracted position and an expanded position. The electrodes (42, 43) are mounted on the expandable device (32) so that when the expandable device (32) is moved to its expanded position in the chamber of the heart the electrodes (42, 43) are moved into engagement with the wall forming the chamber of the heart. Leads (53, 54) for conducting electrical energy are in contact with the electrodes (42, 43) and extend into the flexible elongate tubular member (23). An electrical apparatus is connected to the leads (53, 54) for performing electrical functions with respect to the electrodes (42, 43) and includes at least one semiconductor device (111) carried by the distal extremity (28) of the flexible elongate tubular member (23) in close proximity to the expandable device (32).
Abstract:
An apparatus (51) for mapping the wall of a chamber of the heart having blood therein. The apparatus (51) includes a flexible elongate tubular member (52) having proximal and distal extremities (53, 56) and at least one lumen (57) extending therethrough. A basked assembly (66) is carried by the distal extremity (56) of the flexible elongate tubular member (52) and is movable between contracted and expanded positions. The basked assembly (66) has a plurality of elongate flexible circumferentially spaced-apart arms (67) with proximal and distal extremities (68, 71). A plurality of lontitudinally spaced-apart electrodes (72) are carried by each arm (67) for engaging the wall of the heart. Spacing members (116) coupled to the arms (67) and extending between the arms (67) are provided for establishing a desired substantially uniform circumferential spacing between the arms (67) when the basked assembly (66) is in expanded position in engagement with the wall of the heart. Openings are provided between the arms (67) and the spacing members (116) through which blood can flow.