Methods and apparatus employing ionizing radiation for treatment of cardiac arrhythmia
AssigneeBest Vascular, Inc.
InventorsRaoul Bonan, Charles E. Larsen, Roelof Trip, Douglas B. Schumer, Jack C. Griffis, III, Andrew L. Lerohl
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Abstract
Method and apparatus are disclosed employing ionizing radiation for forming lines of ablation or lesions in cardiac tissue to treat atrial fibrillation or other electrophysiological problems with the heart. The apparatus may include a catheter in which the radiation source is advanced hydraulically after the catheter is in place within the heart. Various fixation devices are also disclosed for fixing the location of the catheter within the heart.
Claims47
A method for ablating cardiac tissue comprising exposing the cardiac tissue to ionizing radiation from an ionizing radiation source in proximity to or contact with the cardiac tissue.
A method for modifying the conduction characteristics of the AV node of a human heart comprising exposing the cardiac tissue comprising the AV node to ionizing radiation from an ionizing radiation source in immediate proximity to or contact with such tissue without completely ablating the AV node.
A method for treating atrial fibrillation comprising:
- defining a plurality of lines of ablated tissue in the wall of the left atrium by exposing selected cardiac tissue to ionizing radiation from an ionizing radiation source in proximity to or contact with the selected tissue.
A method for treating pulmonary vein stenosis comprising exposing the interior surface of the pulmonary vein to ionizing radiation from an ionizing radiation source in proximity to or contact with such surface, wherein the ionizing radiation source is advanced along an elongated catheter by fluid pressure.
A method for treating pulmonary vein stenosis comprising exposing the interior surface of the pulmonary vein to ionizing radiation from an ionizing radiation source in proximity to or contact with such surface;
- and wherein a distal end portion of the catheter is sufficiently flexible to conform to the shape of a guide wire, and the method includes advancing the distal end portion of the catheter along a guide wire to the inside of the pulmonary vein.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.