Image-guided ablation system and method for monitoring an ablation procedure

US9089287B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc. · US

Inventors

• John W. Sliwa · Los Altos Hills, US
• Stephen A. Morse · Menlo Park, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 30, 2008
• Grant date: Jul 28, 2015
• Expiry date: Jul 3, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61N7/022
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An ablation system comprises a tool including an shaft having proximal and distal end portions, a handle at the proximal end portion, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal end portions. The system further includes an ablation subsystem comprised of an ablation element at the distal end portion of the shaft, and an ablation source connected to the ablation element. The system further includes an imaging subsystem comprising an ultrasound imaging transducer disposed proximate the ablation element. The transducer is pivotally attached to the shaft or the ablation element to allow the transducer to articulate between stowed and deployed positions. The imaging subsystem further comprises a processor connected to the transducer configured to receive image data acquired by the transducer, and to generate an image corresponding thereto. The imaging subsystem still further includes a display connected to the processor configured to display the generated image.