US6217576B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Catheter probe for treating focal atrial fibrillation in pulmonary veins
Assignee: Irvine Biomedical Inc
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Filing: 1999-04-01
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Granted: 2001-04-17
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Expires: 2019-04-01
Abstract
Abstract An improved catheter system and methods for ablating cardiac tissues via a steerable ablation catheter having a liquid-permeable shaft, a liquid-permeable electrode, or a distal opening at its tip section with fluid infusion and irrigation for ablating intracardiac tissues by applying radiofrequency energy along with irrigated fluid in a pulmonary vein resulting in a controlled lesion for treating focal atrial fibrillation.
Inventors
- 👤 Hosheng Tu
- 👤 Weng-Kwen Raymond Chia
- 👤 Cary Hata
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:56
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1492; A61B17/00; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00292; A61B2017/003; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00059; A61B2018/00065; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00345; A61B2018/00351; A61B2018/00571; A61B2018/00577; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00791; A61B2018/00821; A61B2018/00839; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/1417
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
219 words
A catheter probe comprising: a catheter shaft having a shaft tip section, a shaft distal end, a shaft proximal end, and at least one lumen extending between the shaft distal end and the shaft proximal end, wherein the shaft distal end has a shaft opening that is connected to and in communication with the at least one lumen; a handle attached to the shaft proximal end, wherein the handle has a cavity; a fluid supply source; fluid irrigation means for providing fluid to the shaft distal end, wherein the fluid irrigation means is externally connected to the fluid supply source; and fluid control means for controlling flow rate of the fluid irrigation means through the shaft opening at the shaft distal end, wherein the fluid control means comprises a fluid deployment mechanism at the handle and a movable cap that is distal to the shaft distal end, wherein the fluid deployment mechanism causes the movable cap to move toward the shaft distal end and positions said movable cap into said shaft opening to shut off flow of the fluid irrigation means at a non-deployed state, and wherein the movable cap is deployed by the fluid deployment mechanism to move distally away from the shaft opening of the shaft distal end to allow fluid flow out of the shaft opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
219 words
A catheter probe comprising: a catheter shaft having a shaft tip section, a shaft distal end, a shaft proximal end, and at least one lumen extending between the shaft distal end and the shaft proximal end, wherein the shaft distal end has a shaft opening that is connected to and in communication with the at least one lumen; a handle attached to the shaft proximal end, wherein the handle has a cavity; a fluid supply source; fluid irrigation means for providing fluid to the shaft distal end, wherein the fluid irrigation means is externally connected to the fluid supply source; and fluid control means for controlling flow rate of the fluid irrigation means through the shaft opening at the shaft distal end, wherein the fluid control means comprises a fluid deployment mechanism at the handle and a movable cap that is distal to the shaft distal end, wherein the fluid deployment mechanism causes the movable cap to move toward the shaft distal end and positions said movable cap into said shaft opening to shut off flow of the fluid irrigation means at a non-deployed state, and wherein the movable cap is deployed by the fluid deployment mechanism to move distally away from the shaft opening of the shaft distal end to allow fluid flow out of the shaft opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
140 words
The catheter probe as in claim 1 further comprising at least one electrode mounted on the shaft tip section, wherein the entire shaft tip section comprises a flexible liquid-permeable plastic material, wherein said flexible liquid-permeable plastic material surrounds the at least one electrode on all sides and underneath the at least one electrode except for an outer surface of the electrode; wherein the liquid-permeable plastic material is adapted for fluid infusion, effusion and irrigation of the shaft tip section when the fluid deployment mechanism is at a non-deployed state; wherein fluid is effused out of the liquid-permeable plastic material, and wherein fluid irrigates and cools the at least one electrode by evenly covering and rinsing the at least one electrode so that an impedance rise at the contact site between the at least one electrode and tissue is substantially reduced.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
108 words
The catheter probe as in claim 1 further comprising at least one electrode mounted at the shaft tip section, wherein the at least one electrode is made of liquid-permeable material, wherein the liquid-permeable electrode is adapted for fluid infusion, effusion and irrigation of the at least one electrode when the fluid deployment mechanism is at a non-deployed state; wherein fluid is effused out of the liquid-permeable electrode, and wherein fluid irrigates and cools the at least one electrode by evenly covering and rinsing the at least one electrode so that an impedance rise at the contact site between the at least one electrode and tissue is substantially reduced.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The catheter probe as in claims 2 or 3 further comprising a RF current generator, wherein the RF current generator is adapted for delivering RF current to the at least one electrode through an electrical conductor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
The catheter probe as in claim 4 further comprising at least one temperature sensor mounted on the at least one electrode, wherein the catheter probe is equipped with a closed-loop temperature controller, and wherein the at least one temperature sensor is adapted for providing temperature sensing signals to the closed-loop temperature controller for controlling the RF current delivery.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The catheter probe of claim 2 , wherein the at least one electrode is made of a coil material or a mesh material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The catheter probe as in claims 2 or 3 , wherein the at least one electrode is made of material selected from the group consisting of Nitinol, gold, stainless steel, silver, platinum, iridium, and an alloy of their mixtures.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The catheter probe as in claims 2 or 3 further comprising a steering mechanism at the handle for controlling deflection of the shaft tip section.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
362 words
A method for operating a catheter probe within a cavity or a tubular organ of a patient, the catheter probe comprising a catheter shaft having a shaft tip section that comprises at least one electrode mounted on the shaft tip section, a shaft distal end, a shaft proximal end, and at least one lumen extending between the shaft distal end and the shaft proximal end, wherein the shaft distal end has a shaft opening that is connected to and in communication with the at least one lumen; a handle attached to the shaft proximal end, wherein the handle has a cavity; a fluid supply source; fluid irrigation means for providing fluid to the shaft distal end, wherein the fluid irrigation means is externally connected to the fluid supply source; fluid control means at the shaft distal end for controlling flow rate of the fluid irrigation means through the shaft opening; wherein the fluid control means comprises a fluid deployment mechanism at the handle and a movable cap that is distal to the shaft distal end, wherein the fluid deployment mechanism causes the movable cap to move toward the shaft distal end and positions said movable cap into said shaft opening to shut off flow of the fluid irrigation means at a non-deployed state, and wherein the movable cap is deployed by the fluid deployment mechanism to move distally away from the shaft opening of the shaft distal end to allow fluid flow out of the shaft opening; an electrical conductor; and a RF current generator, wherein the RF current generator is adapted for delivering RF current to the at least one electrode through the electrical conductor; the method comprising the steps of: (a) percutaneously introducing the catheter probe through a body opening to the cavity or the tubular organ of a patient; (b) intimately contacting the at least one electrode on a tissue of the cavity or the tubular organ; (c) deploying the fluid control means for controlling flow rate of the fluid irrigation means through the shaft opening; (d) applying RF energy to the at least one electrode through the electrical conductor; and (e) withdrawing the catheter probe from the patient.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
362 words
A method for operating a catheter probe within a cavity or a tubular organ of a patient, the catheter probe comprising a catheter shaft having a shaft tip section that comprises at least one electrode mounted on the shaft tip section, a shaft distal end, a shaft proximal end, and at least one lumen extending between the shaft distal end and the shaft proximal end, wherein the shaft distal end has a shaft opening that is connected to and in communication with the at least one lumen; a handle attached to the shaft proximal end, wherein the handle has a cavity; a fluid supply source; fluid irrigation means for providing fluid to the shaft distal end, wherein the fluid irrigation means is externally connected to the fluid supply source; fluid control means at the shaft distal end for controlling flow rate of the fluid irrigation means through the shaft opening; wherein the fluid control means comprises a fluid deployment mechanism at the handle and a movable cap that is distal to the shaft distal end, wherein the fluid deployment mechanism causes the movable cap to move toward the shaft distal end and positions said movable cap into said shaft opening to shut off flow of the fluid irrigation means at a non-deployed state, and wherein the movable cap is deployed by the fluid deployment mechanism to move distally away from the shaft opening of the shaft distal end to allow fluid flow out of the shaft opening; an electrical conductor; and a RF current generator, wherein the RF current generator is adapted for delivering RF current to the at least one electrode through the electrical conductor; the method comprising the steps of: (a) percutaneously introducing the catheter probe through a body opening to the cavity or the tubular organ of a patient; (b) intimately contacting the at least one electrode on a tissue of the cavity or the tubular organ; (c) deploying the fluid control means for controlling flow rate of the fluid irrigation means through the shaft opening; (d) applying RF energy to the at least one electrode through the electrical conductor; and (e) withdrawing the catheter probe from the patient.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
155 words
The method for operating a catheter probe within a cavity or a tubular organ of a patient as in claim 9 , further comprising at least one electrode mounted on the shaft tip section, wherein the entire shaft tip section comprises a flexible liquid-permeable plastic material, wherein said flexible liquid-permeable plastic material surrounds the at least one electrode on all sides and underneath the at least one electrode except for an outer surface of the electrode; wherein the liquid-permeable plastic material is adapted for fluid infusion, effusion and irrigation of the shaft tip section when the fluid deployment mechanism is at a non-deployed state; wherein fluid is effused out of the liquid-permeable plastic material, and wherein fluid irrigates and cools the at least one electrode by evenly covering and rinsing the at least one electrode so that an impedance rise at the contact site between the at least one electrode and tissue is substantially reduced.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
110 words
The method for operating a catheter probe within a cavity or a tubular organ of a patient of claim 9 , wherein the at least one electrode is made of liquid-permeable material, wherein the liquid-permeable electrode is adapted for fluid infusion, effusion and irrigation of the at least one electrode when the fluid deployment mechanism is at a non-deployed state; wherein fluid is effused out of the liquid-permeable electrode, and wherein fluid irrigates and cools the at least one electrode by evenly covering and rinsing the at least one electrode so that an impedance rise at the contact site between the at least one electrode and tissue is substantially reduced.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
73 words
The method for operating a catheter probe within a cavity or a tubular organ of a patient as in claim 9 , further comprising at least one temperature sensor mounted on the at least one electrode, wherein the catheter probe is equipped with a closed-loop temperature controller, and wherein the at least one temperature sensor is adapted for providing temperature sensing signals to the closed-loop temperature controller for controlling the RF current delivery.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method for operating a catheter probe within a cavity or a tubular organ of a patient of claim 9 , wherein the catheter probe further comprising a steering mechanism at the handle for controlling deflection of the shaft tip section.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
333 words
A method for operating a catheter probe within a cavity or a tubular organ of a patient, the catheter probe comprising a catheter shaft having a shaft tip section that comprises at least one electrode mounted on the shaft tip section, a shaft distal end, a shaft proximal end, and at least one lumen extending between the shaft distal end and the shaft proximal end, wherein the shaft distal end has a shaft opening that is connected to and in communication with the at least one lumen; a handle attached to the shaft proximal end, wherein the handle has a cavity; a fluid supply source; fluid irrigation means for providing fluid to the shaft distal end, wherein the fluid irrigation means is externally connected to the fluid supply source; and fluid control means at the shaft distal end for controlling flow rate of the fluid irrigation means through the shaft opening, wherein the fluid control means comprises a fluid deployment mechanism at the handle and a movable cap that is distal to the shaft distal end, wherein the fluid deployment mechanism causes the movable cap to move toward the shaft distal end and matches said shaft opening to shut off flow of the fluid irrigation means at a non-deployed state, and wherein the movable cap is deployed by the fluid deployment mechanism to move distally away from the shaft opening of the shaft distal end to allow fluid flow out of the shaft opening; the method comprising the steps of: (a) percutaneously introducing the catheter probe through an opening to the cavity or the tubular organ of a patient; (b) intimately contacting the at least one electrode on a tissue of the cavity or the tubular organ; (c) deploying the fluid deployment mechanism for controlling flow rate of the fluid irrigation means through the shaft, wherein fluid may effuse out of the catheter shaft from the shaft opening, or from a liquid-permeable shaft portion; and (d) withdrawing the catheter probe from the patient.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
333 words
A method for operating a catheter probe within a cavity or a tubular organ of a patient, the catheter probe comprising a catheter shaft having a shaft tip section that comprises at least one electrode mounted on the shaft tip section, a shaft distal end, a shaft proximal end, and at least one lumen extending between the shaft distal end and the shaft proximal end, wherein the shaft distal end has a shaft opening that is connected to and in communication with the at least one lumen; a handle attached to the shaft proximal end, wherein the handle has a cavity; a fluid supply source; fluid irrigation means for providing fluid to the shaft distal end, wherein the fluid irrigation means is externally connected to the fluid supply source; and fluid control means at the shaft distal end for controlling flow rate of the fluid irrigation means through the shaft opening, wherein the fluid control means comprises a fluid deployment mechanism at the handle and a movable cap that is distal to the shaft distal end, wherein the fluid deployment mechanism causes the movable cap to move toward the shaft distal end and matches said shaft opening to shut off flow of the fluid irrigation means at a non-deployed state, and wherein the movable cap is deployed by the fluid deployment mechanism to move distally away from the shaft opening of the shaft distal end to allow fluid flow out of the shaft opening; the method comprising the steps of: (a) percutaneously introducing the catheter probe through an opening to the cavity or the tubular organ of a patient; (b) intimately contacting the at least one electrode on a tissue of the cavity or the tubular organ; (c) deploying the fluid deployment mechanism for controlling flow rate of the fluid irrigation means through the shaft, wherein fluid may effuse out of the catheter shaft from the shaft opening, or from a liquid-permeable shaft portion; and (d) withdrawing the catheter probe from the patient.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
124 words
The method for operating a catheter probe within a cavity or a tubular organ of a patient as in claim 14 , wherein the entire shaft tip section comprises a flexible liquid-permeable plastic material, wherein said flexible liquid-permeable plastic material surrounds the at least one electrode on all sides and underneath the at least one electrode except for an outer surface of the electrode; wherein the liquid-permeable plastic material is adapted for contrast media fluid infusion, effusion and irrigation of the shaft tip section when the fluid deployment mechanism is at a non-deployed state; wherein contrast media fluid is effused out of the liquid-permeable plastic material, and wherein contrast media fluid irrigates the at least one electrode to be viewed by an X-ray imaging.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
101 words
The method for operating a catheter probe within a cavity or a tubular organ of a patient of claim 14 , further comprising at least one electrode mounted at the shaft tip section, wherein the at least one electrode is made of liquid-permeable material, wherein the liquid-permeable electrode is adapted for fluid infusion, effusion and irrigation of the at least one electrode when the fluid deployment mechanism is at a non-deployed state; wherein contrast media fluid is effused out of the liquid-permeable electrode, and wherein contrast media fluid irrigates the at least one electrode to be viewed by an X-ray imaging.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method for operating a catheter probe within a cavity or a tubular organ of a patient of claim 14 , wherein the catheter probe further comprising a steering mechanism at the handle for controlling deflection of the shaft tip section.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-04-16 | 2004-10-16 | 2005-04-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-04-16 | 2008-10-16 | 2009-04-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-04-16 | 2012-10-16 | 2013-04-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |