Isolation of pulmonary vein

US9149320B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Medtronic CryoCath LP

Inventors

• Karl-Heinz Kuck · Hamburg, DE
• Julian Chun · Hamburg, DE
• Feifan Ouyang · Hamburg, DE
• Nicolas Coulombe · Montréal, CA
• Jean-Luc Pageard · Montréal, CA
• Randy Jordan · Bethalto, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 2, 2009
• Grant date: Oct 6, 2015
• Expiry date: Apr 9, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61M2025/1097
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The present invention advantageously provides a method and system for the improved isolation and corresponding treatment of tissue targeted for cryogenic or other thermal therapy to increase the thermal efficacy and thermal efficiency of the treatment. In particular, the present invention provides methods and systems for improved thermal treatment of target tissue, such as a pulmonary vein and/or regions of the left atrium by reducing the resistive forces and/or increased thermal energy experienced from blood flow exiting the pulmonary vein into the left atrium during treatment.