Insulated ablation catheter devices and methods of use
AssigneeBoston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
InventorRobert Frederick Bencini
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed herein is a catheter device sized and shaped for vascular access that has an elongate body extending between a proximal end and a distal end. Further, the elongate body has at least one inner lumen configured to receive a fluid. The catheter also has an ablation electrode configured to provide ablative energy, wherein the electrode is located distally along the elongate body and includes a passageway fluidly connected to the lumen of the elongate body. Also, the catheter has a sensor configured to provide a signal representative of temperature, and an insulating chamber extending at least partially about the ablation electrode and configured to at least partially insulate the sensor.
Claims14
A catheter device configured for vascular access, comprising:
- an elongate body extending between a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the elongate body includes a lumen configured to receive a fluid;
- an ablation electrode configured to provide ablative energy, wherein the ablation electrode is coupled to the distal end of the elongate body and has an outer surface defining a distal region and a concave region extending circumferentially around the electrode, and wherein the concave region has an outer diameter that is smaller than an outer diameter of the distal region;
- an insulating chamber extending around the outer surface of the concave region of the ablation electrode, wherein the insulating chamber has an outer wall having an outer diameter such that the ablation electrode and insulating chamber are substantially isodiametric and further wherein the insulating chamber defines an area between the outer wall and the concave region of the ablation electrode;
- and
- a temperature sensor disposed within the area.
A method for ablating tissue using a catheter device including an ablation electrode and an insulating chamber, the method comprising:
- positioning the ablation electrode adjacent to tissue to be ablated, wherein the ablation electrode has a concave region extending circumferentially around the electrode and a distal region, wherein the concave region has an outer diameter that is smaller than an outer diameter of the distal region, and wherein the insulating chamber extends around an outer surface of the concave region of the ablation electrode such that the ablation electrode and insulating chamber are substantially isodiametric and further wherein the insulating chamber defines an area between the outer wall and the concave region of the ablation electrode, the area housing a temperature sensor;
- delivering fluid to the lumen to cool the ablation electrode;
- and
- delivering ablative energy to the ablation electrode.
An ablation electrode device configured to provide ablative energy to cardiac tissue, comprising:
- an ablation electrode comprising a proximal section configured for attachment to an elongate body of a catheter device, wherein the ablation electrode has a concave region extending circumferentially around the electrode and a distal region, and wherein the concave region has an outer diameter that is smaller than an outer diameter of the distal region;
- a passageway configured to connect to a lumen of the elongate body, wherein the passageway is configured to receive a fluid;
- and
- an insulating chamber extending around an outer surface of the concave region of the ablation electrode, and wherein the insulating chamber has an outer diameter such that the ablation electrode and insulating chamber are substantially isodiametric and further wherein the insulating chamber defines an area between the outer wall and the concave region of the ablation electrode;
- and
- a temperature sensor disposed within the area.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.