US6702811B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Ablation catheter assembly with radially decreasing helix and method of use
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
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Filing: 2001-05-03
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Granted: 2004-03-09
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Expires: 2021-05-03
Abstract
Abstract A catheter assembly for treatment of cardiac arrhythmia. The catheter assembly includes a catheter body and an ablative energy source. The catheter body includes a proximal portion, an intermediate portion, and a distal portion. The intermediate portion extends from the proximal portion and defines a longitudinal axis. The distal portion extends from the intermediate portion and includes an ablation section and a tip. The ablation section forms a loop defining a diameter greater than an outer dimension of a pulmonary vein ostium. The tip extends distally from the ablation section and is configured to locate a pulmonary vein. Finally, the ablative energy source is associated with the ablation section. With this configuration, upon activation of the energy source, the ablation section ablates a desired lesion pattern. In one preferred embodiment, the ablation section forms a distally decreasing radius helix, whereas the tip includes a relatively linear leader section. With this one preferred configuration, the tip readily locates a pulmonary vein and guides the ablation section to a seated relationship about a pulmonary vein ostium (or extra-ostial).
Inventors
- 👤 Mark T. Stewart
- 👤 James R. Skarda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:54
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1492; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022; A61B2017/00039; A61B2017/00044; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00243; A61B2017/00831; A61B2017/00867; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00059; A61B2018/00065; A61B2018/00214; A61B2018/00267; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00345; A61B2018/00351; A61B2018/00375; A61B2018/00404; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00898; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/1407; A61B2018/1435; A61B2018/1472
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A catheter assembly for electrically isolating a pulmonary vein for treatment of cardiac arrhythmia, the catheter assembly comprising: a catheter body including: a proximal portion, an intermediate portion extending from the proximal portion and defining a longitudinal axis, a distal portion extending from the intermediate portion and including: an ablation section forming a loop transverse to the longitudinal axis and defining a diameter greater than an outer dimension of a pulmonary vein ostium, a tip extending distally from the ablation section, the tip configured for locating a pulmonary vein; and an ablative energy source associated with the ablation section; wherein upon activation of the energy source, the ablation section ablates a desired lesion pattern.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A catheter assembly for electrically isolating a pulmonary vein for treatment of cardiac arrhythmia, the catheter assembly comprising: a catheter body including: a proximal portion, an intermediate portion extending from the proximal portion and defining a longitudinal axis, a distal portion extending from the intermediate portion and including: an ablation section forming a loop transverse to the longitudinal axis and defining a diameter greater than an outer dimension of a pulmonary vein ostium, a tip extending distally from the ablation section, the tip configured for locating a pulmonary vein; and an ablative energy source associated with the ablation section; wherein upon activation of the energy source, the ablation section ablates a desired lesion pattern.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The catheter assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least a segment of the distal portion defines a distally decreasing radius helix.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The catheter assembly of claim 1 , wherein the tip includes a relatively linear leader section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The catheter assembly of claim 1 , wherein the ablation section curves along a uniform diameter greater than a maximum outer diameter defined by the proximal section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The catheter assembly of claim 1 , wherein the ablative energy source is selected from the group consisting of ultrasound, RF energy, microwave energy, laser, cryogenic energy, and thermal energy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
125 words
A catheter assembly for electrically isolating a vessel from a chamber wall for treatment of cardiac arrhythmia, the catheter assembly comprising: a catheter body including: a proximal portion, an intermediate portion extending from the proximal portion and defining a longitudinal axis, a distal portion extending from the intermediate portion and including: an ablation section forming a loop, a tip extending distally from the ablation section, the tip configured for locating a vessel, wherein the tip is characterized as having a feature different from the ablation section, the feature being selected from the group consisting of shape, material, durometer and porosity; and an ablative energy source associated with the ablation section; wherein upon activation of the energy source, the ablation section ablates a desired lesion pattern.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
125 words
A catheter assembly for electrically isolating a vessel from a chamber wall for treatment of cardiac arrhythmia, the catheter assembly comprising: a catheter body including: a proximal portion, an intermediate portion extending from the proximal portion and defining a longitudinal axis, a distal portion extending from the intermediate portion and including: an ablation section forming a loop, a tip extending distally from the ablation section, the tip configured for locating a vessel, wherein the tip is characterized as having a feature different from the ablation section, the feature being selected from the group consisting of shape, material, durometer and porosity; and an ablative energy source associated with the ablation section; wherein upon activation of the energy source, the ablation section ablates a desired lesion pattern.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The catheter assembly of claim 6 , wherein the ablation section curves along a uniform diameter greater than a maximum outer diameter defined by the tip.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The catheter assembly of claim 6 , wherein at least a portion of the tip forms a distally decreasing radius helix.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The catheter assembly of claim 6 , wherein the tip includes a distal leader section.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The catheter assembly of claim 9 , wherein the distal leader section is linear.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The catheter assembly of claim 6 , wherein the ablative energy source is selected from the group consisting of ultrasound, RF energy, microwave energy, laser, cryogenic energy, and thermal energy.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
108 words
A catheter assembly for electrically isolating a vessel from a chamber wall for treatment of cardiac arrhythmia, the catheter assembly comprising: a catheter body including: a proximal portion, an intermediate portion extending from the proximal portion and defining a longitudinal axis, a distal portion extending from the intermediate portion and comprising: an ablation section forming a loop transverse to the longitudinal axis, a tip extending distally from the ablation section, the tip defining a shape different from a shape defined by the ablation section; an ablative energy source associated with the ablation section; wherein upon activation of the energy source, the ablation section ablates a desired lesion pattern.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
108 words
A catheter assembly for electrically isolating a vessel from a chamber wall for treatment of cardiac arrhythmia, the catheter assembly comprising: a catheter body including: a proximal portion, an intermediate portion extending from the proximal portion and defining a longitudinal axis, a distal portion extending from the intermediate portion and comprising: an ablation section forming a loop transverse to the longitudinal axis, a tip extending distally from the ablation section, the tip defining a shape different from a shape defined by the ablation section; an ablative energy source associated with the ablation section; wherein upon activation of the energy source, the ablation section ablates a desired lesion pattern.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The catheter assembly of claim 12 , wherein the shape defined by the tip includes a substantially linear segment.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The catheter assembly of claim 12 , wherein the shape defined by the ablation section is a uniform diameter loop of greater than one revolution.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The catheter assembly of claim 14 , wherein the shape defined by the tip includes a substantially linear segment.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-03-09 | 2007-09-08 | 2008-03-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-03-09 | 2011-09-08 | 2012-03-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-03-09 | 2015-09-08 | 2016-03-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |