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US 6,926,714 B1Granted
Method for pulmonary vein isolation and catheter ablation of other structures in the left atrium in atrial fibrillation
OwnerJasbir S. Srainventor
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Abstract
A catheter design for ablating AF based upon the true anatomy of the left atrium and especially the left atrial pulmonary vein junction, obtained by unique imaging techniques. The catheter design will conform to the true anatomy of the anatomical structures to be ablated and takes into account the complex 3-D geometry of the left atrium and the various sizes and shapes of the pulmonary veins and their openings into the left atrium.
Claims15
A method of catheter ablation and pulmonary vein isolation in the left atrium to treat atrial fibrillation, the method comprising the steps of:
- obtaining a three-dimensional rendering of the left atrium and pulmonary veins utilizing cardiac image data;
- providing a catheter apparatus operable to ablate selected cardiac tissue upon contact therewith, the catheter apparatus comprising:
- a hollow catheter shaft having a main body extending along a central axis and a tip section joined to the main body, the catheter shaft being rotatable about the central axis and the tip section being movable above and below a base plane extending through a transition point between the main body and the tip section, the base plane being generally perpendicular to the central axis;
- an ablation catheter positioned in the catheter shaft, the ablation catheter having an electrode section selectively movable into and out of the tip section of the catheter shaft, the electrode section of the ablation catheter having a plurality of electrodes each operable to ablate a selected area of tissue in contact with the electrode;
- and
- a steering handle coupled to both the catheter shaft and the ablation catheter for controlling the rotation of the catheter shaft about the central axis, the movement of the catheter shaft about the base plane and the extension of the ablation catheter out of the catheter shaft;
- tracking the movement of the catheter apparatus on the three-dimensional rendering of the left atrium and pulmonary veins as the catheter is inserted into the heart until the catheter apparatus is in a desired location;
- extending the electrode section of the ablation catheter from the catheter shaft such that the electrode section is positioned in contact with the pulmonary vein to be ablated;
- and
- actuating the electrodes on the electrode section of the ablation catheter to ablate desired locations on the pulmonary vein.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.