Tissue stabilization and ablation devices and methods
US7237555B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 15, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jul 3, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 11, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2018/00392
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Tissue stabilization and ablation devices and methods provide techniques for stabilizing and ablating body tissues during surgical ablation procedures. In many embodiments, for example, devices may be used in minimally invasive techniques for ablating epicardial tissue adjacent one or more pulmonary veins to treat atrial fibrillation. Tissue stabilization and ablation devices generally include a rigidifying bladder coupled with an ablation member. The devices may additionally include a tissue stabilizing bladder or means within the rigidifying bladder for enhancing tissue stabilization. The rigidifying bladder conforms to a tissue surface and then stiffens to help the device hold its shape and position and to stabilize the tissue. The ablation member is then used to ablate an area of tissue. Such cardiac stabilization and ablation devices and methods may be used to ablate one or more patterns on the epicardial surface of a heart to treat atrial fibrillation and/or other cardiac arrhythmias.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.