Methods and devices for ablation

#1. Field of the Invention

#This invention relates generally to devices and methods for ablating tissue. The diagnosis and treatment of electrophysiological diseases of the heart, and more specifically to devices and methods for epicardial mapping and ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation, are described in connection with the devices and methods of the present invention.

#2. Description of Related Art

#FIG. 1A is side view of a left ablation probe according to the invention.

#FIG. 1B is a side view of a right ablation probe according to the invention.

#FIGS. 2A-2F are side views of a working end of the left ablation probe of FIG. 1A in various configurations thereof.

#FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate a first embodiment of the apparatus of the invention. In this embodiment, the apparatus comprises a left ablation probe 20, shown in FIG. 1A, and a right ablation probe 22, shown in FIG. 1B, which work in tandem to form a transmural lesion isolating the pulmonary veins from the surrounding myocardium. Left ablation probe 20 has a flexible shaft 21 extending to a working end 24 configured for insertion into the chest cavity through a small incision, puncture or access port. Opposite working end 24, shaft 21 is attached to a control end 26 used for manipulating the working end 24 from outside the chest. Shaft 21 is dimensioned to allow introduction through a small incision in the chest, preferably in a subxiphoid location, and advanced to the pulmonary veins on the posterior side of the heart. Preferably, shaft 21 is configured to be flexible about a first transverse axis to allow anterior-posterior bending and torsional flexibility, but relatively stiff about a second transverse axis perpendicular to the first transverse axis to provide lateral bending stiffness. In an exemplary embodiment, shaft 21 has a length in the range of about 10-30 cm, and a guide portion 25 having a rectangular cross-section with a width-to-height ratio of about 2-5, the cross-sectional width being about 6-35 mm and the cross-sectional height being about 3-17 mm. The guide portion 25 aligns the device between the epicardium and pericardium to ablate tissues as described below. Shaft 21 is made of a flexible biocompatible polymer such as polyurethane or silicone, and preferably includes radiopaque markers or a radiopaque filler such as bismuth or barium sulfate.

#Working end 24 includes a plurality of ablating elements 27. The ablating elements 27 are preferably a plurality of electrodes 28 for delivering radiofrequency (RF) current to the myocardium so as to create transmural lesions of sufficient depth to block electrical conduction. Electrodes 28 may be partially-insulated solid metal rings or cylinders, foil strips, wire coils or other suitable construction for producing elongated lesions. Electrodes 28 are spaced apart a distance selected so that the lesions created by adjacent electrodes contact or overlap one another, thereby creating a continuous, uninterrupted lesion in the tissue underlying the electrodes. In an exemplary embodiment, electrodes 28 are about 2-20 mm in length and are spaced apart a range of 1-6 mm. It is understood that the term electrodes 28 as used herein may refer to any suitable ablating element 27. For example, as an alternative to RF electrodes, the ablating elements 27 may be microwave transmitters, cryogenic element, laser, heated element, ultrasound, hot fluid or other types of ablation devices suitable for forming transmural lesions. The heated element may be a self-regulating heater to prevent overheating. Electrodes 28 are positioned so as to facilitate lesion formation on the three-dimensional topography of the left atrium. For example, lateral electrodes 28a face medially to permit ablation of the myocardium on the lateral side of the left inferior pulmonary vein and medial electrodes 28b face anteriorly to permit ablation of the posterior surface of the myocardium adjacent to the left inferior pulmonary vein.

#Working end 24 further includes a locating mechanism which locates the working end at one of the pulmonary veins and helps to maintain it in position once located. In a preferred embodiment, working end 24 is bifurcated into two branches 30, 32, and the locating mechanism is a notch 34 disposed between the two branches. Notch 34 tapers into a concave surface 36 so as to receive one of the pulmonary veins between branches 30, 32 and to atraumatically engage the pulmonary vein against concave surface 36. In an exemplary embodiment, notch 34 is about 10 to 30 mm in width at its widest point between branches 30, 32 and tapers toward concave surface 36 which has a radius of curvature of about 4 to 15 mm, so as to conform to the outer curvature of the pulmonary vein. Preferably, notch 34 is sized and positioned for placement against the left inferior pulmonary vein, as described more fully below. Alternatively, the locating mechanism may be configured to engage another anatomic structure such as the inferior vena cava, superior vena cava, pericardial reflections, pulmonary vein, aorta, pulmonary artery, atrial appendage, or other structure in the space between the pericardium and the myocardium. The various shapes of the ablating devices described and shown herein are, of course, useful in locating various structures to position the ablating elements against predetermined tissues to be ablated.