PMR catheter
AssigneeSciMed Life Systems, Inc.
InventorsLauri DeVore, Bryan Kinsella
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Devices and methods for performing percutaneous myocardial revascularization (PMR). A catheter in accordance with the invention includes an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. The elongate shaft defines a lumen, and a conductor is disposed inside the lumen. An electrode portion is formed by the bent portion of the conductor which extends from the distal end of the elongate shaft. A method in accordance with the present invention may be used to form a wound through the endocardium and into the myocardium of a patient's heart. Collateral damage to the myocardium may be created by infusing pressurized fluid into the wound. A number of fluids may be delivered to a location proximate the wound via the catheter.
Claims33
A catheter assembly, comprising:
- an elongate shaft having a proximal end, and a distal end;
- a lumen defined by the elongate shaft and extending through at least a portion thereof;
- a conductor including a bent portion, a first leg portion, and a second leg portion;
- the bent portion of the conductor protruding from the distal end of the elongate shaft;
- a conductor lumen defined by the bent portion of the conductor, the conductor lumen being in fluid communication with the shaft lumen and
- an aperture defined by the bent portion of the conductor and in fluid communication with the conductor lumen.
A catheter assembly, comprising:
- an elongate shaft having a proximal end, and a distal end;
- a lumen defined by the elongate shaft and extending through at least a portion thereof;
- an insulator fixedly attached to the elongate shaft proximate it's distal end;
- the insulator defining at least one hole;
- a conductor including a bent portion and at least one leg portion;
- the leg portion of the conductor passing through the hole of the insulator and being disposed in the shaft lumen;
- the bent portion of the conductor protruding from the distal end of the elongate shaft;
- and
- at least one retaining element disposed on the conductor proximate, and in interference with the insulator.
A method of performing PMR, comprising the steps of:
- providing a catheter including an elongate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end;
- a conductor including a bent portion, a first leg portion, and a second leg portion;
- the bent portion of the conductor defining a conductor lumen and a plurality of apertures in fluid communication with the conductor lumen;
- the bent portion of the conductor protruding from the distal end of the elongate shaft;
- positioning the distal end of the catheter proximate the endocardium of a patient's heart;
- urging a fluid through the conductor lumen so that it exits the plurality of apertures;
- and energizing the conductor with radio frequency energy to perform PMR.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.