Patent · US Expired

Ablation catheter

US6245066A · kind A · utility

81Cited by
8References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 11, 1998
Grant dateJun 12, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 11, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2018/00952
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

With reference to the figure, an ablation catheter (1) for use in heart surgery comprises a probe (2), a tubular electrode (3) mounted on the probe, so as to axially be slidable relative thereto, and remote-operated actuator means (4) for so sliding the electrode (3). The probe (2) is of electrically-insulating material, and comprises a tip (6), an axially-extending shaft (7), and a rear end portion (8). A surface groove (9) is formed in the probe which extends longitudinally up to the tip (6). The groove (9) locates a conductor (10) which interconnects the electrode (3) with a controllable source (15) of electrical energy and is enclosed in an insulating sheath (16) of flexible construction. The flexible sheath (16), and conductor (10) therein are axially slidable within the groove (9) of the catheter (1). The sheath (16) provides for electrical insulation of the conductor (10) as the electrode (3) is moved along the probe shaft (7). In use, the catheter (1) is employed to create long endocardial lesions in cardiac chambers by application of radio frequency current provided by the source (15). Contiguous lesions are created, in a series of steps, by careful, remote-operated moveme…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.