# US 11,304,748 B2 · Cardiac treatment devices and methods

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- Number: US 11,304,748 B2
- Document ID: US11304748B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/160,755
- Filed: 2018-10-15
- Published: 2019-04-11
- Granted: 2022-04-19
- Earliest claimed: 2001-12-04
- Assignees: AtriCure, Inc.
- Applicants: AtriCure, Inc.
- Inventors: Arthur A. Bertolero; Tamer Ibrahim; Daniel J. Conley
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11304748B2

## CPC

- A61B 18/1492: {having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation (A61B18/1477 takes precedence)}
- A61B 1/12: with cooling or rinsing arrangements
- A61B 18/1442: {Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps}
- A61B 18/1445: {at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod}
- A61B 18/18: by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves
- A61B 18/14: Probes or electrodes therefor
- A61B 18/1402: {Probes for open surgery}
- A61B 2017/00243: {cardiac}
- A61B 2017/22051: {with an inflatable part, e.g. balloon, for positioning, blocking, or immobilisation (A61B2017/22048, A61B2017/3486 take precedence)}
- A61B 2017/2945: {Curved jaws}
- A61B 2018/00023: {closed, i.e. without wound contact by the fluid}
- A61B 2018/00029: {open}
- A61B 2018/00291: {using suction}
- A61B 2018/00345: {Vascular system}
- A61B 2018/00351: {Heart}
- A61B 2018/00363: {Epicardium}
- A61B 2018/00404: {Blood vessels other than those in or around the heart}
- A61B 2018/00577: {Ablation}
- A61B 2018/00875: {Resistance or impedance}
- A61B 2018/00982: {combined with or comprising means for visual or photographic inspections inside the body, e.g. endoscopes}
- A61B 2018/126: {bipolar}
- A61B 2018/1432: {curved}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

Devices and methods provide for ablation of cardiac tissue for treating cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation. Although the devices and methods are often be used to ablate epicardial tissue in the vicinity of at least one pulmonary vein, various embodiments may be used to ablate other cardiac tissues in other locations on a heart. Devices generally include at least one tissue contacting member for contacting epicardial tissue and securing the ablation device to the epicardial tissue, and at least one ablation member for ablating the tissue. Various embodiments include features, such as suction apertures, which enable the device to attach to the epicardial surface with sufficient strength to allow the tissue to be stabilized via the device. For example, some embodiments may be used to stabilize a beating heart to enable a beating heart ablation procedure. Many of the devices may be introduced into a patient via minimally invasive introducer devices and the like. Although devices and methods of the invention may be used to ablate epicardial tissue to treat atrial fibrillation, they may also be used in veterinary or research contexts, to treat various heart conditions other than atrial fibrillation and/or to ablate cardiac tissue other than the epicardium.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system for treating tissue and applying a vacuum from a vacuum source, the system comprising:
an energy transmission member for applying energy to the tissue wherein the energy transmission member comprises a flexible energy transmission member; and
a tissue contacting member coupled with the energy transmission member for enhancing contact of the energy transmission member with the tissue, the tissue contacting member comprising a trough having a first lateral side and a second lateral side opposing the first lateral side, where the trough receives the flexible transmission member along a central longitudinal axis of the tissue contacting member, wherein the tissue contacting member comprises a tissue contacting surface conformable to a surface topography of the tissue; and
wherein the tissue contacting member further comprises a plurality of vacuum openings positioned along both the first lateral side and the second lateral side of the trough, wherein the plurality of vacuum openings are in fluid communication with the vacuum source such that application of the vacuum to the tissue along opposing lateral sides of the flexible energy transmission member to secure the tissue contacting member to the tissue, wherein the plurality of vacuum openings are positioned on the tissue contacting surface and are disposed in parallel lines along the central longitudinal axis, wherein each of the plurality of vacuum openings face a perpendicular direction relative to the central longitudinal axis.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system according to claim 1, further comprising a guiding member coupled with the energy transmission member, the tissue contacting member, or both, for guiding the energy transmission member and the tissue contacting member to a location for treating the tissue.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The system according to claim 2, wherein the guiding member is coupled with the tissue contacting member.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system according to claim 1, further comprising a cooling member for allowing a cooling substance to contact the tissue.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The system according to claim 4, wherein the cooling substance is selected from a group consisting of a cooling gas and a cooling liquid.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The system according to claim 4, wherein the cooling substance is selected from a group consisting of carbon dioxide and saline.

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

The system according to claim 4, wherein the cooling substance is a saline fluid.

### Claim 8 (depends on 4)

The system according to claim 4, wherein the cooling member comprises an outlet port for allowing egress of the cooling substance.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The system according to claim 1, where the energy transmission member is unipolar.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The system according to claim 1, where the energy transmission member is bipolar.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The system according to claim 1, where the energy transmission member is configured to apply energy selected from a group consisting of thermoelectric energy, cryogenic energy, microwave energy, laser energy, ultrasound, and radio frequency energy.