# US 2014/0155887 A1 · Ablation compass

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- Number: US 2014/0155887 A1
- Document ID: US20140155887A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/126,467
- Filed: 2012-06-06
- Published: 2014-06-05
- Earliest claimed: 2011-06-15
- Assignees: The Johns Hopkins University
- Inventors: Luca Neri
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140155887A1

## CPC

- A61B 18/1492: {having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation (A61B18/1477 takes precedence)}
- A61B 2018/00279: {deployable}
- A61B 2090/036: {abutting on tissue or skin}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides an ablation catheter includes a catheter body and an ablation electrode attached to the distal end of the catheter body. A pivot needle is arranged to extend from said catheter body while in use. The pivot needle provides support to assist with directing said ablation electrode along a selected path in contact with tissue during ablation. The pivot needle includes a gripping structure at a distal tip to facilitate attachment to tissue, and can take the form of a barb structure. The barb structure is formed from a soft material to facilitate removal from tissue after being attached. The pivot needle further includes a depth guard to help prevent the insertion of said pivot needle into tissue beyond a predetermined depth, and said pivot needle is extendable from and retractable to said catheter body.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An ablation catheter, comprising:
a catheter body having a distal end and a proximal end;
an ablation electrode attached to said distal end of said catheter body; and
a pivot needle arranged to extend from said catheter body while in use,
wherein said pivot needle provides support to assist with directing said ablation electrode along a selected path in contact with tissue during ablation.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The ablation catheter according to claim 1, wherein said pivot needle comprises a gripping structure at a distal tip to facilitate attachment to tissue.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The ablation catheter according to claim 2, wherein said gripping structure is a barb structure.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The ablation catheter according to claim 3, wherein said barb structure is formed from a soft material to facilitate removal from tissue after being attached.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The ablation catheter according to claim 4, wherein said soft material is a polymer material.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The ablation catheter according to claim 1, wherein said pivot needle further comprises a depth guard to help prevent the insertion of said pivot needle into tissue beyond a predetermined depth.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The ablation catheter according to claim 1, wherein said pivot needle is extendable from and retractable to said catheter body.