Expandable catheter system for peri-ostial injection and muscle and nerve fiber ablation
US8663190B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 22, 2011 |
| Grant date | Mar 4, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 20, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2018/143
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
At the present time, physicians often treat patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) using radiofrequency (RF) catheter systems to ablate conducting tissue in the wall of the Left Atrium of the heart around the ostium of the pulmonary veins. These systems are expensive and take time consuming to use. The present invention circular ablation system CAS includes a multiplicity of expandable needles that can be expanded around a central axis and positioned to inject a fluid like ethanol to ablate conductive tissue in a ring around the ostium of a pulmonary vein quickly and without the need for expensive capital equipment. The expansion of the needles is accomplished by self-expanding or balloon expandable structures. The invention includes centering means so that the needles will be situated in a pattern surrounding the outside of the ostium of a vein. Also included are members that limit the distance of penetration of the needles into the wall of the left atrium. The present invention also has application to ablating tissue around the ostium of a renal artery for the treatment of hypertension.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.