Structures For Supporting Multiple Electrode Elements
AssigneeEP Technologies, Inc.
InventorsJames Whayne, Sidney Fleischman, Russell Thompson, David Swanson, Yi Yang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A catheter assembly comprises a first branch body having a first axis, a second branch body extending in a non-parallel relationship with respect to the first axis, and at least one electrode carried by the second branch body. In use, the first branch body can be located within a pulmonary vein within the left atrium, while the electrode carried by the second branch body is located in contact with endocardial tissue outside the pulmonary vein. Ablation energy can be transmitted from the electrode to contacted endocardial tissue while the first branch body is located within the pulmonary vein.
Claims23
1-12. (canceled)
An apparatus for performing a diagnostic or therapeutic operation on tissue between first and second pulmonary veins having a distance therebetween, the apparatus comprising:
- a probe including first portion sized and shaped for insertion into the first pulmonary vein, a second portion sized and shaped for insertion into the second pulmonary vein, and a third portion located between the first and second portions and defining a length that substantially corresponds to the distance between the first and second pulmonary veins;
- and
- at least one operative element carried by the third portion.
An apparatus for performing a diagnostic or therapeutic operation on tissue located between first and second pulmonary veins, the apparatus comprising:
- a probe body defining a distal region;
- at least one operative element;
- and
- anchoring means, associated with the distal region of the probe body, for entering the first and second pulmonary veins and anchoring the at least one operative element adjacent to the tissue located between the first and second pulmonary veins.
A method of treating the left atrium with a probe including a first portion, a second portion and at least one operative element, the method comprising the step of:
- positioning the first portion in a first pulmonary vein;
- positioning the second portion in a second pulmonary vein;
- and
- performing a function on tissue between the first and second pulmonary veins with the at least one operative element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.