Platelet inhibitor eluting ablation catheter

US6755824B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• THE UAB RESEARCH FOUNDATION · US

Inventors

• Mudit Jain · Woodbury, US
• Milton M. Morris · Minneapolis, US
• Jeffrey A. Hall · Birmingham, US
• Gregory P. Walcott · Wilsonville, US
• Bruce H. KenKnight · Maple Grove, US
• David Wood · Temecula, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 15, 2002
• Grant date: Jun 29, 2004
• Expiry date: Apr 15, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2218/002
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An ablation catheter stores a platelet inhibitor substance within a plurality of pockets or recesses of its shaft. The substance is adapted to elute upon contact with biological fluid. In the pocket configuration, the platelet inhibitor substance is in a capsule positioned within the pocket. In the recess configuration, the platelet inhibitor substance is in a hydrogel or silicone-based porous/semi-porous matrix positioned within the recess. Elution of the platelet inhibitor substance prevents or at least substantially minimizes the adhesion of blood platelets on the catheter surface during ablation. In another configuration, the catheter includes an internal lumen network having apertures terminating at the surface of the shaft. The lumen communicates with a source of platelet inhibitor fluid that is forced through the lumen by a variable pump.