Methods and devices for ablation

US7052493B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Epicor Medical, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Matthias Vaska · Palo Alto, US
• John E. Crowe · Palo Alto, US
• Gary H. Miller · Milpitas, US
• Jonathan L. Podmore · San Francisco, US
• Gerard Champsaur · Palo Alto, US
• Drew Hoffman · Los Gatos, US
• Casey Tansey · Redwood City, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 24, 2002
• Grant date: May 30, 2006
• Expiry date: Sep 24, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61N1/3629
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The invention is related to methods of sizing an area around the pulmonary veins along an epicardial surface. A sizing element is provided which has a plurality of indicators along its length which is used to size an area around the pulmonary veins. A sizing element is wrapped around the pulmonary veins along an epicardial location. The size of an ablating device is determined by using the indicators on the sizing element. An ablating device is then selected based on this measurement. The ablating device is then attached to the sizing element. The ablating device is then wrapped around the pulmonary veins while manipulating the sizing element.