PMR device and method
AssigneeSciMed Life Systems, Inc.
InventorsLouis Ellis, Gary L. Hendrickson, Lauri DeVore
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A catheter having an elongate shaft including a proximal and a distal end. The shaft includes a conductor. An electrode is disposed at the distal end of the shaft and is connected to the conductor. The electrode has a generally annular, cross-sectional shape. The annular shape defines an opening within the electrode. An insulator surrounds the conductor. In accordance with the method of the present invention, a crater wound can be formed through the endocardium and into the myocardium of a patient's heart. Collateral damage to the myocardium can be made by infusing pressurized fluid into the crater wound.
Claims24
A catheter assembly, comprising:
- an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, and including a conductor;
- an electrode disposed at the distal end of the shaft and connected to the conductor, the electrode having a generally annular transverse cross-sectional shape, the annular shape defining an opening within the electrode, the electrode having a distal end;
- a stop disposed in the opening proximally a distance from the distal end of the electrode;
- an insulator surrounding the conductor wherein the shaft defines a lumen in fluid communication with the opening and a needle is disposed within the opening in fluid communication with the lumen;
- and
- wherein the needle has an outside diameter and the opening has an inside diameter and wherein the outside diameter of the needle is substantially smaller than the inside diameter of the opening so that tissue may be disposed within the opening between the needle and the electrode.
A catheter assembly, comprising:
- an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, and including a conductor;
- an electrode disposed at the distal end of the shaft and connected to the conductor, the electrode having a generally annular transverse cross-sectional shape, the annular shape defining an opening within the electrode, the electrode having a distal end;
- a stop disposed in the opening proximally a distance from the distal end of the electrode;
- an insulator surrounding the conductor wherein the shaft defines a lumen in fluid communication with the opening and a needle is disposed within the opening in fluid communication with the lumen;
- and
- wherein the needle has an outside diameter and the opening has an inside diameter and wherein the outside diameter of the needle is about one-half or smaller than the inside diameter of the opening.
A method of performing PMR, comprising the steps of:
- providing a catheter assembly including an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, and including a conductor;
- an electrode disposed at the distal end of the shaft and connected to the conductor, the electrode having a generally annular transverse cross-sectional shape, the annular shape defining an opening within the electrode, the electrode having a distal end;
- a stop disposed in the opening proximally a distance from the distal end of the electrode;
- an insulator surrounding the conductor wherein the shaft defines a lumen in fluid communication with the opening and a needle is disposed within the opening in fluid communication with the lumen;
- and wherein the needle has an outside diameter and the opening has an inside diameter and wherein the outside diameter of the needle is substantially smaller than the inside diameter of the opening so that tissue may be disposed within the opening between the needle and the electrode;
- advancing the catheter assembly to a location proximate a wall of a patient's heart;
- energizing the electrode;
- and
- advancing the electrode into the wall of the patient's heart.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.