# US 10,441,136 B2 · Systems and methods for unobstructed visualization and ablation

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- Number: US 10,441,136 B2
- Document ID: US10441136B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/044,667
- Filed: 2016-02-16
- Published: 2016-06-09
- Granted: 2019-10-15
- Earliest claimed: 2006-12-18
- Assignees: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
- Applicants: Intuitive Surgical Operations Inc.
- Inventors: Vahid Saadat; Ruey-Feng Peh; Chris A. Rothe; Edmund Tam
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10441136B2

## CPC

- A61B 1/3137: {for examination of the interior of blood vessels}
- A61B 1/00085: {Baskets}
- A61B 1/00089: {Hoods}
- A61B 1/018: for receiving instruments
- A61B 17/12022: {Occluding by internal devices, e.g. balloons or releasable wires (plugging an opening in the wall of an organ A61B17/0057; occluders for the cervical canal A61F6/146; vas deferens occluders A61F6/20)}
- A61B 17/12036: {partial occlusion}
- A61B 17/1204: {temporary occlusion}
- A61B 17/12136: {Balloons}
- A61B 17/12172: {having a pre-set deployed three-dimensional shape (methods of manufacturing A61B2017/00526)}
- A61B 1/005: Flexible endoscopes
- A61B 18/1492: {having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation (A61B18/1477 takes precedence)}
- A61B 2018/00357: {Endocardium}
- A61B 2018/00577: {Ablation}
- A61B 2018/00982: {combined with or comprising means for visual or photographic inspections inside the body, e.g. endoscopes}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

A method of treatment comprises intravascularly securing an anchor extending from an anchor member at least partially within a vessel lumen such that blood flows unobstructed through or past the anchor. While the anchor is secured, a distance of the anchor member, between the anchor and a barrier or membrane projecting distally from a deployment catheter, is adjusted such that an open area defined by the barrier or membrane is placed against or adjacent to a portion of a patient tissue. Adjusting the distance of the anchor member comprises moving the deployment catheter distally with respect to the anchor member. The method also comprises displacing blood with a transparent fluid from the open area, and while the anchor is secured, articulating the barrier or membrane circumferentially around the anchor. The method also includes treating the tissue while visualizing through the transparent fluid.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of treatment, comprising:
intravascularly securing an anchor extending from an anchor member at least partially within a vessel lumen such that blood flows unobstructed through or past the anchor;
while the anchor is secured, adjusting a distance of the anchor member between the anchor and a barrier or membrane projecting distally from a deployment catheter such that an open area defined by the barrier or membrane is placed against or adjacent to a portion of a patient tissue, wherein adjusting the distance of the anchor member comprises moving the deployment catheter distally with respect to the anchor member;
displacing blood with a transparent fluid from the open area;
while the anchor is secured, articulating the barrier or membrane circumferentially around the anchor; and
treating the tissue while visualizing through the transparent fluid.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein intravascularly securing comprises advancing the anchor within a lumen of a pulmonary vein.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein intravascularly securing comprises expanding the anchor from a low-profile shape to an expanded shape.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein intravascularly securing comprises expanding the anchor having a helical shape.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein intravascularly securing comprises expanding the anchor having a basket shape.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein intravascularly securing comprises expanding the anchor having a mesh shape.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein adjusting comprises tensioning the anchor member extending through the open area of the barrier or membrane.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein adjusting comprises tensioning the anchor member extending through an opening defined along the catheter proximal to the barrier or membrane.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein treating comprises ablating the tissue with an ablation probe advanced into the open area.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein treating comprises circumferentially ablating the tissue.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10 wherein circumferentially ablating comprises ablating the tissue in a continuous line while visualizing through the transparent fluid.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10 wherein circumferentially ablating comprises ablating the tissue along discrete lesions which overlap one.