Ablation catheter having shape-changing balloon
US6780183B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 16, 2002 |
| Grant date | Aug 24, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 27, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2017/22051
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A circumferential ablation catheter is provided that is particularly useful for ablating a circumferential region of tissue in a tubular region of or near the heart, such as a pulmonary vein. The catheter comprises an elongated tubular catheter body having an outer wall, proximal and distal ends, and a lumen extending therethrough. The catheter also comprises a generally tubular inner support member having proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending therethrough. A proximal portion of the inner support member extends into the lumen of the catheter body, and a distal portion of the inner support member extends outside the catheter body. A circumferential ablation element, such as an ultrasound transducer, is mounted on the distal portion of the inner support member outside the catheter body. A moveable tube extends through the lumen of the inner support member and through the catheter body. The moveable tube is longitudinally moveable relative to the inner support member and catheter body and has a distal end that extends beyond the distal end of the inner support member. An inflatable balloon is provided generally in surrounding relation to the circumferential ablation element. …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.