Esophageal mapping catheter
AssigneeBiosense Webster, Inc.
InventorsBrian Mottola, Martin F. O'Sullivan, Sue-Lynn Wu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An esophageal mapping catheter enables a physician to map the location of the esophagus so as to avoid damaging the esophagus during radio frequency (RF) ablation procedures. Information from the esophageal mapping catheter is communicated to a patient information unit, communications unit and/or electroanatomic mapping system. The electroanatomic mapping system uses the information from the esophageal mapping catheter to develop a three-dimensional map of the esophagus and to monitor the temperature within the esophagus in order to prevent the creation of esophageal fistula.
Claims22
An esophageal mapping catheter for providing anatomical mapping information about the location of the esophagus of a patient to an electroanatomic mapping system comprising:
- a substantially tubular shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and a lumen;
- a location sensor disposed within the lumen at the distal end of the shaft;
- a handle disposed at the proximal end of the shaft;
- and, at least one electrical conductor between the location sensor and the handle wherein said connector is disposed within the lumen of the shaft.
A method for determining the location of an esophagus of a patient using an electroanatomic mapping system comprising the steps of:
- introducing an esophageal mapping catheter having a distal end into the esophagus of the patient wherein the distal end of the esophageal mapping catheter contains a location sensor having a plurality of coils capable of providing an electrical signal in response to a magnetic field;
- transmitting the plurality of electrical signals to the electroanatomic mapping system;
- generating a location of the distal end of the esophageal mapping catheter in the electroanatomic mapping system and displaying the location;
- and,
- withdrawing the distal end of the esophageal mapping catheter in order to generate location information along the internal surface of the esophagus.
The method of claim 15 where the esophageal mapping catheter further comprises a substantially tubular shaft wherein the location sensor reside near the distal end.
An esophageal mapping catheter for providing anatomical mapping information about the location of the esophagus of a patient to an electroanatomic mapping system comprising:
- a substantially tubular shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and a lumen;
- a location sensor disposed within the lumen at the distal end of the shaft;
- a handle disposed at the proximal end of the shaft;
- at least one electrical conductor between the location sensor and the handle wherein said connector is disposed within the lumen of the shaft;
- and,
- means for affixing the location sensor in the distal end of the shaft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.