# US 8,540,707 B2 · Template system and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,540,707 B2 - Document ID: US8540707B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/962,478 - Filed: 2007-12-21 - Published: 2009-06-25 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2007-12-21 - Assignees: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc. - Applicants: John W. Sliwa; Thomas B. Eby - Inventors: John W. Sliwa; Thomas B. Eby - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540707B2 ## CPC - A61B 18/18: by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves - A61B 8/4209: {by using holders, e.g. positioning frames} - A61B 18/148: {having a short, rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously, e.g. for neurosurgery or arthroscopy} - A61B 8/12: in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters - A61B 8/4236: {characterised by adhesive patches} - A61B 8/4245: {involving determining the position of the probe, e.g. with respect to an external reference frame or to the patient} - A61B 8/4281: {characterised by sound-transmitting media or devices for coupling the transducer to the tissue} - A61B 8/445: {Details of catheter construction} - A61B 18/1815: {using microwaves} - A61B 18/20: using laser - A61B 2017/00867: {shape memory effect} - A61B 2018/00011: {with fluids} - A61B 2018/00273: {Anchoring means for temporary attachment of a device to tissue} - A61B 2018/00291: {using suction} - A61B 2018/00797: {measured by multiple temperature sensors} - A61B 2018/00815: {measured by a thermistor} - A61B 2018/00821: {measured by a thermocouple} - A61B 2090/378: {using ultrasound} - A61B 2218/002: Irrigation - C08L 2201/12: Shape memory - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - C08L: COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS (compositions based on polymerisable monomers C08F, C08G; artificial filaments or fibres D01F; textile treating compositions D06) ## Abstract Template systems and methods for various procedures (e.g., tissue ablation procedures) are disclosed. An exemplary template system comprises a track having at least one suction port. The at least one suction port anchors the track to a tissue after the track is positioned adjacent a target area. The template system may further comprise a transducer operatively associated with the track. Exemplary transducers include imaging transducers and ablating transducers. The transducer is guided by the track adjacent the target area while the transducer is moved along the track for a procedure. One or more umbilical may provide a conduit to the track and/or transducer so that the template system may be positioned in a patient's body (e.g., for a procedure on the patient's heart) and operated remotely by a physician or other user from outside of the patient's body. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A template system for use in a medical procedure comprising: a track comprising a base portion and at least one suction port, the at least one suction port configured to anchor the track to a tissue after the track is positioned adjacent a target area inside a patient's body, wherein the track is foldable for deployment to a worksite, and unfoldable to a final shape and size after being located at the worksite inside the patient's body; at least one stationary shape retaining bridging member spanning from a first side of the base portion to another side of the base portion across an opening formed through the base portion of the track; and a transducer operatively associatable with the track, the transducer configured to be guided by the track adjacent the target area while the transducer is moved along the track for the medical procedure, wherein the bridging member maintains a predetermined shape of the opening in the base portion of the track when the transducer is removed from the track. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising an umbilical attached to the track, the umbilical configured to provide a conduit to the track for application of a vacuum to the at least one suction port. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising an umbilical attached to the transducer, the umbilical configured to provide a conduit to the transducer for energy delivery. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising an umbilical attached to the transducer, the umbilical configured to provide a conduit to the transducer for fluid delivery. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a wired drive system configured to move the transducer along the track, wherein the drive system is configured to engage the transducer to the track to move the transducer along the track. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising an umbilical attached to the transducer, the umbilical configured to provide a conduit extending outside of a patient's body for at least one driving wire, the at least one driving wire operable to control movement of the transducer on the track. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one suction port comprises at least one channel in a bottom surface of the track. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one bridging member includes a plurality of stationary support wires spanning the opening formed through the base portion, to maintain a predetermined width of the track during use. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the track is flexible in at least one plane to substantially conform to a shape of the tissue during use. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the track and the transducer each include at least one magnetic material configured to mutually develop magnetic forces to facilitate mating of the track with the transducer. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a fluid delivery port near a face of the transducer. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the fluid delivery port is operable to provide a fluid interface between the transducer and the target area, said interface comprising a fluid filled membrane. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the fluid delivery port is operable to cool at least one of the target area or the transducer. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a gear wheel on the transducer and a gear strip on the track, the gear wheel configured to engage the gear strip after the transducer is mounted to the track to move the transducer along the track. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, further comprising an actuator operatively associated with the gear wheel on the transducer, the actuator operable to move the transducer along the track at a predetermined pace for a known distance. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the transducer is selected from the group consisting of an ablation transducer, an imaging transducer, and a combination transducer for ablation and imaging. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the transducer is separable from the track, the transducer configured to be mounted on the track after the track is anchored to the tissue. ### Claim 18 A method of treatment comprising: folding and inserting a track into a patient's body and positioning the track adjacent a target area inside the patient's body, wherein the track unfolds to a final shape and size after being located inside the patient's body; anchoring the track to a tissue in the target area; positioning a transducer guided by the track adjacent the target area to perform a medical procedure; and passing at least one driving wire into the patient's body to engage the transducer to the track and extendable outside of a patient's body for controlling a movement, position, or orientation of the transducer on the track. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, further comprising passing a conduit to the track for application of a vacuum to at least one suction port on the track for anchoring the track to the tissue. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, further comprising passing a conduit to the transducer for delivering energy to the transducer. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, further comprising passing a conduit to the transducer for delivering fluid to the tissue or transducer. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, further comprising mating the track and the transducer. ### Claim 23 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, further comprising driving the transducer along the track. ### Claim 24 A system for use in a medical procedure comprising: means for attaching adjacent a target area inside a patient's body, wherein the means for attaching is foldable for deployment to a worksite, and unfoldable to a final shape and size after being located at the worksite inside the patient's body; means for anchoring the means for attaching to a tissue after the means for attaching is positioned adjacent the target area; and means for delivering energy to the target area from two or more positions along the means for attaching, the means for delivering energy mounted on the means for attaching after the means for attaching is anchored to the tissue. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The system of claim 24, further comprising means for providing a conduit to the means for attaching. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The system of claim 24, further comprising means for providing a conduit to the means for delivering energy. ### Claim 27 (depends on 24) The system of claim 24, further comprising means for maintaining a predetermined shape of the means for attaching in at least one dimension. ### Claim 28 (depends on 24) The system of claim 24, further comprising means for conforming the means for attaching to the tissue. ### Claim 29 (depends on 24) The system of claim 24, further comprising means for mating the means for attaching with the means for delivering energy. ### Claim 30 (depends on 24) The system of claim 24, further comprising means for moving the means for delivering energy at a controlled pace.