|Publication number||US7575566 B2|
|Application number||US 10/750,501|
|Publication date||Aug 18, 2009|
|Filing date||Dec 31, 2003|
|Priority date||Feb 28, 2002|
|Also published as||DE60312756D1, DE60312756T2, EP1340469A1, EP1340469B1, US6733499, US7371232, US8545495, US20030163127, US20030195508, US20040158141, US20080281320, US20140249525|
|Publication number||10750501, 750501, US 7575566 B2, US 7575566B2, US-B2-7575566, US7575566 B2, US7575566B2|
|Inventors||Mark S. Scheib|
|Original Assignee||Biosense Webster, Inc.|
|Export Citation||BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan|
|Patent Citations (69), Non-Patent Citations (1), Referenced by (12), Classifications (10), Legal Events (1)|
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet|
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/118,680, filed Apr. 9, 2002, titled CATHETER HAVING CIRCULAR ABLATION ASSEMBLY, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,733,499, issued May 11, 2004, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/360,431, filed Feb. 28, 2002, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The resent invention relates to an improved ablation catheter that is particularly useful for ablating in a tubular region of or near the heart.
Atrial fibrillation is a common sustained cardiac arrhythmia and a major cause of stroke. This condition is perpetuated by reentrant wavelets propagating in an abnormal atrial-tissue substrate. Various approaches have been developed to interrupt wavelets, including surgical or catheter-mediated atriotomy. A common procedure involves ablating a lesion to interrupt the wavelets using one or more electrodes mounted on the distal end of a generally-straight catheter. This procedure works well, for example, when ablating a line of block in the atria. However, for tubular regions in or around the heart, this procedure is less effective. For example, when the line of block is to be made about a circumference of the tubular region, it is difficult to manipulate and control the distal end of a straight catheter so that it effectively ablates about the circumference. Accordingly, a need exists for an improved catheter that is particularly useful for such applications.
The present invention is directed to a catheter having a generally-circular ablation assembly mounted on its distal end that carries a tip electrode. In one embodiment, the catheter comprises an elongated flexible tubular catheter body having an axis and proximal and distal ends. An ablation assembly is mounted at the distal end of the tubular body. The ablation assembly has a preformed generally circular curve that is generally transverse to the axis of the catheter body comprising a flexible tubing having proximal and distal ends and carrying a tip electrode at its distal end. An electrode lead wire extends through the catheter body and into the ablation assembly and has a distal end connected to the tip electrode.
In use, the distal end of the catheter is inserted into the heart of a patient. At least a portion of the outer circumference of the generally circular curve is contacted with the inner circumference of the tubular region so that the tip electrode is in a first position in contact with tissue along the inner circumference. The tip electrode is used to ablate tissue at the first position. The ablation assembly can then be rotated so that the tip electrode is in a second position in contact with tissue along the inner circumference different from the first position, and the tip electrode is used to ablate tissue at the second position. This procedure can be repeated to form a lesion of the desired length along the inner circumference. This design permits the user to have more control when ablating about a circumference of a tubular region in or around the heart, e.g., a pulmonary vein, the coronary sinus, the superior vena cava, or the pulmonary outflow tract.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided a catheter having an ablation assembly at its distal end. As shown in
With reference to
The outer diameter of the catheter body 12 is not critical, but is preferably no more than about 8 french, more preferably about 7 french. Likewise, the thickness of the outer wall 20 is not critical, but is thin enough so that the central lumen 18 can accommodate a puller wire, one or more lead wires, and any other desired wires, cables or tubes. If desired the inner surface of the outer wall 20 is lined with a stiffening tube (not shown) to provide improved torsional stability. A particularly preferred catheter has an outer wall 20 with an outer diameter of from about 0.090 inch to about 0.94 inch and an inner diameter of from about 0.061 inch to about 0.065 inch.
The intermediate section 14 comprises a short section of tubing 22 having three lumens. The first lumen 30 carries one or more lead wires 50 or other wires discussed further below, the second lumen 32 carries a puller wire 64, and the third lumen 34 carries a support member 24. The tubing 22 is made of a suitable non-toxic material that is preferably more flexible than the catheter body 12. A presently preferred material for the tubing 22 is braided polyurethane, i.e. polyurethane with an embedded mesh of braided stainless steel or the like. The size of each lumen is not critical, but is sufficient to house the lead wires, puller wire or support member.
The useful length of the catheter, i.e. that portion that can be inserted into the body excluding the ablation assembly 17, can vary as desired. Preferably, the useful length ranges from about 110 cm to about 120 cm. The length of the intermediate section 14 is a relatively small portion of the useful length, and preferably ranges from about 3.5 cm to about 10 cm, more preferably from about 5 cm to about 6.5 cm.
A preferred means for attaching the catheter body 12 to the intermediate section 14 is illustrated in
If desired, a spacer (not shown) can be located within the catheter body between the distal end of the stiffening tube (if provided) and the proximal end of the intermediate section. The spacer provides a transition in flexibility at the junction of the catheter body and intermediate section, which allows this junction to bend smoothly without folding or kinking. A catheter having such a spacer is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,964,757, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
At the distal end of the intermediate section 14 is the ablation assembly 17, as shown in
The generally circular main region 39 does not have to form a complete circle, but should be at least about 180°, e.g. a semi-circle, more preferably at least about 270°, still more preferably at least about 320°. In the preferred embodiment, the generally circular main region 39 forms at least a complete circle, e.g. is at least 360°. If desired, the generally circular main region can comprise more than one loop or circle, so that it has, for example, a spiral or conical shape. The generally circular main region 39 is generally transverse to the catheter body 12 and intermediate section 14, and preferably forms an angle with the catheter body ranging from about 80° to about 100°, more preferably about 90°. The generally circular main region 39 has an outer diameter preferably ranging from about 2 mm to about 40 mm, more preferably from about 10 mm to about 25 mm, still more preferably from about 12 mm to about 20 mm, even more preferably about 15 mm.
In an alternative embodiment, as shown in
The support member 24 is made of a material having shape-memory, i.e. that can be straightened or bent out of its original shape upon exertion of a force and is capable of substantially returning to its original shape upon removal of the force. A particularly preferred material for the support member is a nickel/titanium alloy. Such alloys typically comprise about 55% nickel and 45% titanium, but may comprise from about 54% to about 57% nickel with the balance being titanium. A preferred nickel/titanium alloy is nitinol, which has excellent shape memory, together with ductility, strength, corrosion resistance, electrical resistivity and temperature stability. The non-conductive covering 28 can be made of any suitable material, and is preferably made of a biocompatible plastic such as polyurethane or PEBAX. If desired, the support member 24 can be eliminated and the distal end of the non-conductive covering 28 can be pre-formed to have the desired curve of the ablation assembly.
A tip electrode 35 is mounted at the distal end of the ablation assembly 17 for ablating tissue. As shown in
In an alternative embodiment, as shown in
An electrode lead wire 50 connects the tip electrode 35 to a suitable source of ablation energy (not shown), preferably radio frequency (RF) energy. The distal end of the lead wire 50 is soldered in a first blind hole 51 in the proximal end of the tip electrode 35. The lead wire 50 extends between the non-conductive covering 28 and the support member 24. The proximal end of the lead wire 50 is electrically connected to a suitable connector 37, which is connected to the source of ablation energy as is known in the art. The lead wire 50 extends through the first lumen 30 of the intermediate section 14, the central lumen 18 of the catheter body 12, and the control handle 16, and terminates at its proximal end in the connector 37. In the depicted embodiment, the portion of the lead wire 50 extending through the central lumen 18 of the catheter body 12, control handle 16 and proximal end of the intermediate section 14 is enclosed within a protective sheath 62 to prevent contact with other components within the lumen of the catheter body and in the handle. The protective sheath 62 can be made of any suitable material, preferably polyimide. The protective sheath 62 is anchored at its distal end to the proximal end of the intermediate section 14 by gluing it in the first lumen 30 with polyurethane glue or the like. As would be recognized by one skilled in the art, the protective sheath can be eliminated if desired.
A temperature sensor is provided for monitoring the temperature of the tip electrode 35. Any conventional temperature sensor, e.g. a thermocouple or thermistor, may be used. In the embodiment shown in
Additionally, a safety wire 57 is provided to further secure the tip electrode 35 to the ablation assembly 17 and assure that the tip electrode does not fall off in the patient's body. The safety wire is preferably a metal wire having its distal end soldered in a third blind hole 58 in the tip electrode 35 and its proximal end soldered or otherwise attached in the control handle 126. In the depicted embodiment, the safety wire 57 extends through the first lumen 30 in the intermediate section 14 and through the central lumen 18 of the catheter body 12 along with the lead wires 50 and thermocouple wires 53 and 54. Other arrangements for attaching the safety wire can be provided, as would be recognized by one skilled in the art, or the safety wire can be eliminated.
If desired, one or more ring electrodes (not shown) can be mounted on the non-conductive covering 28 of the generally circular main region 39 of the ablation assembly 17. Such ring electrodes might be desirable, for example, for mapping the region to be ablated before ablation begins or after ablation to assure that the lesions blocked the electrical activity as desired. A description of a catheter including such ring electrodes is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/551,467, entitled “Catheter Having Mapping Assembly,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. If desired, additional ring electrodes (not shown) could be mounted elsewhere along the ablation assembly 17 and/or intermediate section 14.
The junction of the intermediate section 14 and ablation assembly 17 is shown in
The lead wires 50, thermocouple wires 53 and 54 and safety wire 57 extend through the first lumen 30 of the intermediate section 14, through the central lumen 18 of the catheter body 12, and the control handle 16, and terminate at their proximal end in the connector 37. As noted above, the portion of the wires extending through the central lumen 18 of the catheter body 12, control handle 16 and proximal end of the intermediate section 14 are enclosed within a protective sheath 62, which can be made of any suitable material, preferably polyimide. The protective sheath 62 is anchored at its distal end to the proximal end of the intermediate section 14 by gluing it in the first lumen 30 with polyurethane glue or the like.
The puller wire 64 is provided for deflection of the intermediate section 14. The puller wire 64 extends through the catheter body 12, is anchored at its proximal end to the control handle 16, and is anchored at its distal end to the intermediate section 14. The puller wire 64 is made of any suitable metal, such as stainless steel or Nitinol, and is preferably coated with TeflonŽ or the like. The coating imparts lubricity to the puller wire 64. The puller wire 64 preferably has a diameter ranging from about 0.006 to about 0.010 inch.
A compression coil 66 is situated within the catheter body 12 in surrounding relation to the puller wire 64, as shown in
The compression coil 66 is anchored at its proximal end to the outer wall 20 of the catheter body 12 by proximal glue joint 70 and at its distal end to the intermediate section 14 by distal glue joint 72. Both glue joints 70 and 72 preferably comprise polyurethane glue or the like. The glue may be applied by means of a syringe or the like through a hole made between the outer surface of the catheter body 12 and the central lumen 18. Such a hole may be formed, for example, by a needle or the like that punctures the outer wall 20 of the catheter body 12 which is heated sufficiently to form a permanent hole. The glue is then introduced through the hole to the outer surface of the compression coil 66 and wicks around the outer circumference to form a glue joint about the entire circumference of the compression coil.
The puller wire 64 extends into the second lumen 32 of the intermediate section 14. Preferably, the puller wire 64 is anchored at its distal end to the distal end of the intermediate section 14, as shown in
Longitudinal movement of the puller wire 64 relative to the catheter body 12, which results in deflection of the intermediate section 14, is accomplished by suitable manipulation of the control handle 16. Examples of suitable control handles for use in the present invention are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. Re 34,502 and 5,897,529, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
In use, a suitable guiding sheath is inserted into the patient with its distal end positioned at a desired mapping location. An example of a suitable guiding sheath for use in connection with the present invention is the Preface™ Braided Guiding Sheath, commercially available from Biosense Webster, Inc. (Diamond Bar, Calif.). The distal end of the sheath is guided into one of the atria. A catheter in accordance with the present invention is fed through the guiding sheath until its distal end extends out of the distal end of the guiding sheath. As the catheter is fed through the guiding sheath, the ablation assembly 17 is straightened to fit through the sheath. Once the distal end of the catheter is positioned at the desired mapping location, the guiding sheath is pulled proximally, allowing the deflectable intermediate section 14 and ablation assembly 17 to extend outside the sheath, and the ablation assembly 17 returns to its original shape. The ablation assembly 17 is then inserted into a pulmonary vein or other tubular region (such as the coronary sinus, superior vena cava, or inferior vena cava) so that the outer circumference of the generally circular main region 39 of the assembly is in contact with a circumference inside the tubular region and the tip electrode 35 is generally in contact with the tissue.
The circular arrangement of the ablation assembly 17 provides a stable mechanism for keeping the tip electrode 35 in a desired location for ablation. To ablate a circumferential lesion in the tubular region, the user rotates the ablation assembly 17 by rotating the control handle 16 and applies ablation energy through the tip electrode 35 at adjacent points along the circumference. The design of the ablation assembly permits the user to more easily ablate about a circumference compared to using a tip electrode on a straight catheter, where it is more difficult to accurately move the tip electrode about the circumference of the tubular region.
As will be recognized by one skilled in the art, it is easier to turn the ablation assembly in a direction such that the tip electrode is being pulled rather than pushed. For example, in the embodiments depicted in
If desired, two or more puller wires can be provided to enhance the ability to manipulate the intermediate section. In such an embodiment, a second puller wire and a surrounding second compression coil extend through the catheter body and into an additional off-axis lumen in the intermediate section. The first puller wire is preferably anchored proximal to the anchor location of the second puller wire. Suitable designs of catheters having two or more puller wires, including suitable control handles for such embodiments, are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,123,699, 6,171,277, 6,183,435, 6,183,463, 6,198,974, 6,210,407, and 6,267,746, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Alternatively, a second puller wire (not shown) can be included to alter the diameter of the distal end of the ablation assembly. Such an arrangement is generally described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,136, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The above-referenced control handles could be used to manipulate the second puller wire.
The preceding description has been presented with reference to presently preferred embodiments of the invention. Workers skilled in the art and technology to which this invention pertains will appreciate that alterations and changes in the described structure may be practiced without meaningfully departing from the principal, spirit and scope of this invention.
Accordingly, the foregoing description should not be read as pertaining only to the precise structures described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but rather should be read consistent with and as support to the following claims which are to have their fullest and fairest scope.
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|U.S. Classification||604/41, 607/113, 607/99, 607/122|
|Cooperative Classification||A61B2018/1405, A61B2018/1435, A61B2018/00821, A61B18/1492|