EP0608609A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Catheter for RF ablation with cooled electrode and method
Assignee: Cardiac Pathways Corp
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Filing: 1993-11-30
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2013-11-30
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a catheter (11) for radio frequency ablation with a cooled electrode for use in tissue having a surface comprising an elongate member (12) having proximal and distal extremities (13,14). A metal conducting electrode (16) is secured to the distal extremity (14) of the elongate member (12) and has a chamber (17) therein. A conductor (31) extends through the elongate member (12) from the proximal (13) to the distal extremity (14) for supplying radio frequency energy to the electrode (16). The elongate member (12) has a lumen (26,27) in the distal extremity (14) which is in communication with the chamber (17). A coolant is disposed in the chamber (17) and in contact with the electrode (16) by the application of radio frequency energy thereto.
Inventors
- 👤 Mir A. Imran
- 👤 Mark L. Pomeranz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:03
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1492; A61B18/1402; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022; A61B2017/00084; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00292; A61B2017/003; A61B2018/00005; A61B2018/00011; A61B2018/00023; A61B2018/00029; A61B2018/00035; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00166; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00345; A61B2018/00351; A61B2018/00571; A61B2018/00577; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00791; A61B2018/00821
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
In a catheter for radio frequency ablation with a cooled electrode for use in tissue having a surface, an elongate member having proximal and distal extremities, a metal conducting electrode secured to the distal extremity of the elongate member and having a chamber therein and adapted to make contact with the tissue, conductor means extending through the elongate member from the proximal to the distal extremity for supplying radio frequency energy to the electrode, said elongate member having a lumen in the distal extremity and being in communication with the chamber, cooling means disposed in said chamber and in contact with the electrode for dissipating heat created in the electrode by the application of radio frequency energy thereto, means for measuring the temperature of the tissue in contact with the electrode and means responsive to the temperature measured to control the amount of radio frequency energy supplied to the electrode so that temperature at the surface of the tissue does not exceed 90 C whereby deeper and wider lesions can be formed in the tissue than would be formed without the use of the cooling means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
24 words
A catheter as in Claim 1, wherein said cooling means in the form of a passive cooling means in which convection currents are created.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A catheter as in Claim 2, wherein said electrode is provided with plurality of outwardly extending fins formed of a conductive material secured to the electrode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A catheter as in Claim 1, wherein said cooling means is in the form of active cooling means in which cooled liquid is supplied into the chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A catheter as in Claim 4, together with inwardly extending fins carried by the electrode and extending into the chamber and in contact with the cooled liquid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A catheter as in Claim 1, wherein said electrode is a tip electrode having a rounded tip having orifices therein through which the cooled liquid can pass from the chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
A catheter as in Claim 6, wherein said tip electrode has a longitudinally extending axis and wherein said tip electrode is provided with an additional orifice inclined proximally in a direction extending away from the axis of the tip electrode through which the cooled liquid can escape to create jets which create forces to urge the electrode into engagement with the surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
71 words
A catheter as in Claim 4, together with valve means carried by the tubular member proximal of the electrode, means within the tubular member and the chamber in the electrode for causing the cooled liquid to be discharged into the chamber and then to pass proximally from the chamber and to exit through the valve means, said valve means serving to prevent liquid such as blood from entering into the catheter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
A catheter as in Claim 1, wherein said elongate member is provided with an additional lumen extending into the chamber in the electrode together with the means for supplying the cooled liquid through the first named lumen and withdrawing the cooled liquid from the additional lumen.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
92 words
In a method for performing an ablation in the myocardium of the heart, utilizing a catheter having a distal extremity with a conductive electrode mounted thereon, introducing the catheter into the heart so that the electrode is in close proximity to the myocardium, supplying radio frequency energy to the electrode and supplying a cooling liquid under a positive pressure to the electrode for cooling the electrode during the time that the radio frequency energy is being supplied to the tip and withdrawing the cooling liquid from the tip at a negative pressure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
EP0459535A2
Cited
US5238005A
Cited
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