Ablation sheath

Claim 2

A sheath system for use with an ablation catheter defining a predetermined size, the sheath system comprising: an elongate sheath body defining an ablation catheter lumen, a proximal end, a distal end, a distal end opening of greater size than the ablation catheter, and a proximal end opening, and incremental motion means, including a distal end adapted to extend outwardly from the distal end opening of the sheath body and a proximal end extending outwardly from the proximal end opening of the sheath body and defining a distal portion longitudinal axis, for engaging patient tissue when the distal end opening faces the tissue and moving the sheath in a direction substantially perpendicular to the distal portion longitudinal axis when the distal end opening faces the tissue.

Claim 3

A sheath system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the incremental motion catheter defines a substantially flat distal end.

Claim 4

A sheath system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the incremental motion means comprises an incremental motion catheter.

Claim 5

A sheath system as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the distal end of the incremental motion catheter extends outwardly from the distal end of the sheath body.

Claim 6

A sheath system as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the sheath body defines an incremental motion catheter lumen and the incremental motion catheter is located within the incremental motion catheter lumen.

Claim 7

A sheath system as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the incremental motion catheter is located within the ablation catheter lumen.

Claim 8

A sheath system as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the incremental motion catheter defines a closed distal loop.

Claim 9

A sheath system as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the incremental motion catheter is adapted to move longitudinally relative to the sheath body.

Claim 10

A sheath system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the sheath body defines a distal portion extending proximally from the distal end and a proximal portion extending distally from the proximal end, and the distal portion is more flexible than the proximal portion.

Claim 11

A sheath system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the sheath body defines a distal portion extending proximally from the distal end and the distal portion defines a stiffness less than 0.2 lbs-inch squared.

Claim 12

A sheath system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the incremental motion means is free of any protuberances adapted to engage the ablation catheter.

Claim 13

A sheath system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the incremental motion means includes a blunt surface extending generally perpendicular to the distal portion longitudinal axis.

Claim 14

A sheath system as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the blunt surface comprises a flat surface.

Claim 15

An electrophysiology system, comprising: an ablation catheter defining a distal end; an elongate sheath body defining an ablation catheter lumen, a proximal end, a distal end and a distal end opening of sufficient size to allow the ablation catheter to pass therethrough; and an incremental motion catheter, which is not located within the entire ablation catheter or connected to the distal end of the ablation catheter, defines a longitudinal axis and includes a distal end having a blunt surface extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, adapted to extend outwardly from the distal end opening of the sheath body and engage patient tissue and a proximal end associated with the proximal end of the sheath body.

Claim 16

An electrophysiology system, comprising: an ablation catheter defining a distal end; an elongate sheath body defining an ablation catheter lumen, a proximal end, a distal end and a distal end opening of sufficient size to allow the ablation catheter to pass therethrough; and an incremental motion catheter, which is not located within the entire ablation catheter or connected to the distal end of the ablation catheter, defines a longitudinal axis and includes a distal end having a blunt surface extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, adapted to extend outwardly from the distal end opening of the sheath body and engage patient tissue and a proximal end associated with the proximal end of the sheath body.

Claim 17

An electrophysiology system as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the elongate sheath body defines a proximal end opening and the incremental motion catheter extends outwardly from the proximal end opening.

Claim 18

A sheath system as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the sheath body defines an incremental motion catheter lumen and the incremental motion catheter is located within the incremental motion catheter lumen.

Claim 19

A sheath system as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the incremental motion catheter is located within the ablation catheter lumen.

Claim 20

A sheath system as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the incremental motion catheter defines a closed distal loop.

Claim 21

A sheath system as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the incremental motion catheter is adapted to move longitudinally relative to the sheath body.

Claim 22

An electrophysiology system as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the blunt surface defines a first width, the majority of the incremental motion catheter defines a second width and the first width is greater than the second width.

Claim 23

An electrophysiology system as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the blunt surface comprises a flat surface.

Claim 24

An electrophysiology system for use with a heart chamber, comprising: an elongate sheath body defining a proximal end, a distal end for insertion into the heart chamber having a stiffness less than 0.2 lbs-inch squared, and a longitudinal axis, the sheath body having a central lumen extending to the distal end, thereby defining a distal end opening, and a window located in spaced relation to the distal end; and an ablation catheter having a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end having an electrode located thereon, said catheter being positioned within said lumen and movable along the longitudinal axis between a first ablating position whereby the distal end of the catheter is substantially aligned with the window and a second ablating position whereby the distal end of the catheter extends at least partially through the distal end opening.

Claim 25

An electrophysiology system for use with a heart chamber, comprising: an elongate sheath body defining a proximal end, a distal end for insertion into the heart chamber having a stiffness less than 0.2 lbs-inch squared, and a longitudinal axis, the sheath body having a central lumen extending to the distal end, thereby defining a distal end opening, and a window located in spaced relation to the distal end; and an ablation catheter having a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end having an electrode located thereon, said catheter being positioned within said lumen and movable along the longitudinal axis between a first ablating position whereby the distal end of the catheter is substantially aligned with the window and a second ablating position whereby the distal end of the catheter extends at least partially through the distal end opening.

Claim 26

The electrophysiology system of claim 22 wherein said ablation catheter and said central lumen define an interstitial area therebetween and said proximal end of said elongate sheath body includes a perfusion apparatus for inducting a perfusion fluid into the interstitial area between said ablation catheter and said central lumen.

Claim 27

An electrophysiology system, comprising: an elongate sheath body defining an ablation catheter lumen, a proximal end, a distal end having an opening, a longitudinal axis and a side opening longitudinally spaced from the distal end opening, and an ablation catheter defining a distal portion having an electrode located thereon and a proximal end, the catheter being positioned within the ablation catheter lumen such that the catheter can move longitudinally relative to the sheath body between a first ablating position where the electrode is substantially aligned with side opening and a second ablating position where the electrode extends at least partially through the distal end opening.

Claim 28

An electrophysiology system, comprising: an elongate sheath body defining an ablation catheter lumen, a proximal end, a distal end having an opening, a longitudinal axis and a side opening longitudinally spaced from the distal end opening, and an ablation catheter defining a distal portion having an electrode located thereon and a proximal end, the catheter being positioned within the ablation catheter lumen such that the catheter can move longitudinally relative to the sheath body between a first ablating position where the electrode is substantially aligned with side opening and a second ablating position where the electrode extends at least partially through the distal end opening.

Claim 29

A system as claimed in claim 24 , wherein the ablation catheter defines a longitudinal axis and the elongate sheath body and ablation catheter are coaxial.

Claim 30

A system as claimed in claim 24 , further comprising: an incremental motion catheter including a distal end adapted to extend outwardly from the distal end of the sheath body and engage patient tissue and a proximal end associated with the proximal end of the sheath body.

Claim 31

A system as claimed in claim 24 , wherein the ablation catheter and the sheath body define a space therebetween, the system further comprising: perfusion means for supplying saline through the space between the ablation catheter to the distal end opening of the sheath body.