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US6540744B2 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Process and device for the treatment of atrial arrhythmia

Assignee: St Jude Medical Atrial Fibrillation Division Inc
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Filing: 2001-03-22
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Granted: 2003-04-01
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Expires: 2021-03-22
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Abstract

Abstract A process for the treatment of atrial arrhythmia by use of ablation procedures comprising circumferential ablation of vessels, particularly pulmonary veins, associated with the left atrium of the heart. Also medical devices for such process including a pair of balloons secured to a catheter with one balloon located within the other balloon and an ablation catheter located within one of the balloons, which devices are used for the formation of a circumferential ablation lesion in the pulmonary vein.

Inventors

  • 👤 James A. Hassett
  • 👤 John F. Swartz
  • 👤 Michael C. Bednarek

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-24 05:20
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1492; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/10; A61M25/1011; A61B17/00; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22051; A61B2017/22065; A61B2017/22067; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00059; A61B2018/00065; A61B2018/00214; A61B2018/0022; A61B2018/00238; A61B2018/0025; A61B2018/00255; A61B2018/00261; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00333; A61B2018/00345; A61B2018/00351; A61B2018/00375; A61B2018/00571; A61B2018/00577; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/1435; A61B2018/1437; A61B2018/1472; A61M2025/1043; A61M2025/1052; A61M2025/1072; A61M2025/1086

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim 106 words
A medical device for ablation of tissue associated with a vessel connected to a human heart comprising an ablation catheter, a first, outer balloon, secured to the catheter and capable of forming a seal to at least partially restrict the flow of blood within the vessel at a location associated with the vessel, a second, inner balloon, secured to the catheter at a location within the first outer balloon, an introduction system operating in conjunction with the catheter to introduce a conductive media inside the medical device, an ablating element secured to the catheter, and a plurality of balloon openings provided in the first, outer balloon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 106 words
A medical device for ablation of tissue associated with a vessel connected to a human heart comprising an ablation catheter, a first, outer balloon, secured to the catheter and capable of forming a seal to at least partially restrict the flow of blood within the vessel at a location associated with the vessel, a second, inner balloon, secured to the catheter at a location within the first outer balloon, an introduction system operating in conjunction with the catheter to introduce a conductive media inside the medical device, an ablating element secured to the catheter, and a plurality of balloon openings provided in the first, outer balloon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 14 words
The medical device of claim 1 wherein the ablating element comprises a ring electrode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 22 words
The medical device of claim 2 wherein the ring electrode is secured to the catheter at a location within the outer balloon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 13 words
The medical device of claim 2 wherein the ring electrode emits radiofrequency energy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 14 words
The medical device of claim 1 wherein the ablating element comprises a coil electrode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 22 words
The medical device of claim 5 wherein the coil electrode is secured to the catheter at a location within the outer balloon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 13 words
The medical device of claim 5 wherein the coil electrode emits radiofrequency enegry.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 32 words
The medical device of claim 1 wherein the introduction system comprises a lumen which extends through the catheter into a media introduction opening in the catheter located within the first outer balloon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 26 words
The medical device of claim 1 wherein the plurality of balloon openings are provided in a line in an outside surface of the first, outer balloon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 19 words
The medical device of claim 9 wherein the balloon openings extend around a circumference of the first, outer balloon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 21 words
The medical device of claim 10 wherein the balloon openings are located on a distal portion of the first, outer balloon.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 32 words
The medical device of claim 1 further comprising a lumen in the catheter including a distal opening in the catheter, which distal opening is located distal from the first and second balloons.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 15 words
The medical device of claim 1 wherein the conductive media is a conductive saline solution.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 122 words
A medical device for ablation of tissue associate with a vessel connected to a human heart comprising an introducer with a proximal and a distal end and a lumen passing through the introducer from its proximal to its distal end, an ablation catheter, capable of being inserted within the lumen of the introducer to at least partially restrict the flow of blood within the vessel, a first, outer balloon, secured to the catheter, a second, inner balloon, secured to the catheter at a location within the first outer balloon, an introduction system operating in conjunction with the catheter within the first outer balloon, an ablating element secured to the catheter, and a plurality of balloon openings provided in the first outer balloon.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 122 words
A medical device for ablation of tissue associate with a vessel connected to a human heart comprising an introducer with a proximal and a distal end and a lumen passing through the introducer from its proximal to its distal end, an ablation catheter, capable of being inserted within the lumen of the introducer to at least partially restrict the flow of blood within the vessel, a first, outer balloon, secured to the catheter, a second, inner balloon, secured to the catheter at a location within the first outer balloon, an introduction system operating in conjunction with the catheter within the first outer balloon, an ablating element secured to the catheter, and a plurality of balloon openings provided in the first outer balloon.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 14 words
The medical device of claim 14 wherein the ablating element comprises a ring electrode.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 22 words
The medical device of claim 15 wherein the ring electrode is secured to the catheter at a location within the outer balloon.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 14 words
The medical device of claim 14 wherein the ablating element comprises a coil electrode.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 22 words
The medical device of claim 17 wherein the coil electrode is secured to the catheter at a location within the outer balloon.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 26 words
The medical device of claim 14 further comprising a plurality of balloon openings provided in a line in an outside surface of the first outer balloon.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 19 words
The medical device of claim 19 wherein the balloon openings extend around a circumference of the first, outer balloon.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 21 words
The medical device of claim 19 wherein the balloon openings are located on a distal portion of the first, outer balloon.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 116 words
A process for ablation of tissue associated with a vessel of a human heart comprising introducing an ablation catheter to a position adjacent to tissue associated with the vessel, wherein the ablation catheter comprises an extended catheter, a first, outer balloon, and a second, inner balloon also secured to the catheter, at least partially sealing the vessel to restrict at least partially the flow of blood through the vessel, passing a conductive media through balloon openings in the first outer balloon, conducting energy from an electrode secured to the catheter by use of the conductive media through the balloon openings in the outer balloon to the tissue, and ablating the tissue to form an ablation lesion.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 116 words
A process for ablation of tissue associated with a vessel of a human heart comprising introducing an ablation catheter to a position adjacent to tissue associated with the vessel, wherein the ablation catheter comprises an extended catheter, a first, outer balloon, and a second, inner balloon also secured to the catheter, at least partially sealing the vessel to restrict at least partially the flow of blood through the vessel, passing a conductive media through balloon openings in the first outer balloon, conducting energy from an electrode secured to the catheter by use of the conductive media through the balloon openings in the outer balloon to the tissue, and ablating the tissue to form an ablation lesion.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2006-03-31 2006-09-30 2007-04-01 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2010-03-31 2010-09-30 2011-04-01 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2014-03-31 2014-09-30 2015-04-01 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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