Catheter having improved steering
AssigneeAFx, Inc.
InventorsRobert E. Woodard, Hiep Nguyen, Dany Berube
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A catheter system with an enhanced steering system, allowing for positioning the distal portion of the catheter proximate to a desired biological target tissue site, is provided. The system includes an elongated tubular member having a steerable distal end configured to deflect, or otherwise direct, and properly position at least a portion of the distal end comprising an ablation device during a surgical procedure allowing for the placement of the deflected portion adjacent or proximate to the target tissue surface. The steering system may alternatively be incorporated into a separate guiding catheter as part of the catheter system.
Claims30
A catheter system for ablating biological tissue at a target tissue site, comprising:
- an elongated body member having proximal and distal ends;
- a handle portion operably attached to the proximal end of the elongated body member;
- an ablation device disposed at the distal portion of the body member and including at least one ablation element adapted to emit ablative energy therefrom;
- and
- a means for steering the catheter proximate to the target tissue site, the steering means operably attached to the body member proximal to the ablation device,
- wherein upon deflection of the steering means the ablation device is placed proximate and substantially parallel to the target tissue site whereby effective tissue ablation can be achieved.
A method of ablating biological tissue, comprising the steps of
- providing an ablation catheter system comprising:
- an ablation device comprising at least one ablation element adapted to emit ablative energy therefrom;
- and
- a means for steering the catheter system toward a target tissue site, the steering means disposed proximal to the ablative device;
- advancing and steering the catheter to a point proximate the target tissue site;
- positioning the ablative device proximate and substantially parallel to the target tissue site;
- and
- applying ablative energy to the at least one ablation element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.