Circumferential pulmonary vein ablation using a laser and fiberoptic balloon catheter

US7137395B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · US

Inventors

• Nathaniel M. Fried · Concord, US
• Henry R. Halperin · Baltimore, US
• Ronald D. Berger · Baltimore, US
• Albert C. Lardo · Baldwin, US
• Arkadiy Tsitlik · Reisterstown, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 28, 2001
• Grant date: Nov 21, 2006
• Expiry date: Nov 10, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2018/2272
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A balloon catheter device that provides radial delivery of visible or near-infrared radiation. The radial delivery of visible or near-infrared radiation to the pulmonary vein is particularly effective in creating transmural, continuous, and circumferential lesions in the pulmonary vein. Creation of these lesions electrically isolates the pulmonary veins from the left atrium of the heart and, thus is a particularly suitable method for the treatment of atrial fibrillation.