Patent Grant
12137969
The present specification relates to systems and methods configured to generate and deliver vapor for ablation therapy. More particularly, the present specification relates to a novel catheter and vapor generation system for delivering vapor-based ablation therapy to cardiac tissue to treat cardiac conditions such as arrhythmias and atrial fibrillation via pulmonary vein ablation and left atrial appendage (LAA) disorder by LAA ablation.
Ablation, as it pertains to the present specification, relates to the removal or destruction of a body tissue, via the introduction of a destructive agent, such as radiofrequency energy, electroporation, laser energy, ultrasonic energy, cyroagents, or steam. Ablation is commonly used to eliminate diseased or unwanted tissues, such as, but not limited to cysts, polyps, tumors, hemorrhoids, and other similar lesions including arrhythmia generating cardiovascular tissue, or eliminate certain entities of certain tissues, in particular electrical conductivity.
Atrial fibrillation (A-fib) refers to a condition of abnormal heart rhythm originating in a top chamber of the heart, also known as atria. In cases of a normal heartbeat, electrical impulses in the heart originate at the sinoatrial (SA or sinus) node in the right atrium of the heart. These electrical impulses set the rate and rhythm of the heartbeat. In patients with atrial fibrillation, the heart's electrical rhythm is not directed by the SA node, and instead, many different impulses rapidly fire at once, thereby causing a very fast, chaotic rhythm in the atria. There are different methods to treat A-fib, including medications that slow the heart rate, antiarrhythmic drugs, and anticoagulants that may reduce the risk of a resulting stroke. However, one of the effective methods of treating atrial fibrillation is pulmonary vein ablation (also called pulmonary vein antrum isolation or PVAI). PVAI comprises an ablation of a portion of the patient's pulmonary vein including a PV ostium or the atrial tissue at the junction of the left atrium and the pulmonary vein. PVAI is most suitable for patients with paroxysmal and in some cases persisting symptom of A-fib even after treatment with medications, and also for patients who are prone to complications from antiarrhythmic drugs. It has been observed that nearly 80% of paroxysmal A-fib patients with no other heart diseases can be completely cured with a single PVAI procedure. Patients, after treatment, are considered cured of A-fib when they have normal sinus rhythms without any dependence on medications. Even patients with long-standing A-fib have been noted to be cured with a success rate of 50 to 70%, with the aid of PVAI, depending on their underlying heart disease and other factors.
During the PVAI procedure, an ablation device is directed to precise location(s) in the. These points are then isolated and destroyed. This ensures that the certain heart muscle cells in the border zone distal from the insulation line cannot re-trigger A-fib. However, it is difficult to locate and therefore isolate the locations in order to complete a coherent lesion. It is known that most A-fib signals come from the openings (ostia) of the four pulmonary veins in the left atrium. The PVAI procedure isolates these veins from the rest of the heart and prevents any pulses from these veins from getting into the heart.
Multiple methods to locate and isolate A-fib signals are known in the art. One of the methods involves making circular radiofrequency (RF) ablation lines around each pulmonary vein opening so as to isolate the pulmonary veins. It is difficult and time-consuming, however, to make circular lesions to achieve complete isolation. Delivering ablative energy through freezing, laser, or ultrasound based catheters are sometimes used to encircle the vein opening and make the circular lesions. Another method, known as segmental catheter ablation, uses pulmonary vein potentials to locate and eliminate A-fib signals. Once the area in the pulmonary vein identified with any potential is ablated, the potential disappears. Usually, the pathways taken by the A-fib signals from the pulmonary veins are located and ablated outside of the pulmonary vein openings. One more procedures, known as ‘anatomically-based circumferential pulmonary vein ablation’ or ‘left atrial ablation’ emphasizes on creating blocking lesions in the left atrium, similar to circumferential ablation. A large diameter catheter at a high wattage is dropped and dragged to make circular linear lesions. Other balloon-based methodology, such as cryoballoon ablation, laser ablation and high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation may be used to ablate cardiac tissue. Electroporation using pulsed field ablation has also been used to achieve pulmonary vein isolation.
Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) is known to be characterized by elevations of mean pulmonary artery (PA) pressure (PAP) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). PA denervation (PADN) is sometimes used for patients with IPAH, so as to abolish the increment of PAP, by inducing local injury to the baroreceptor or sympathetic nervous fibers. PADN is also known to have been used for patients with combined pre- and post-capillary pulmonary hypertension (CpcPH). PADN procedures also involve location and ablation of targets within the PA using catheter ablation methods stated above.
A left atrial appendage (LAA), comprising a small sac in a wall of a left atrium, can be a source of both atrial arrhythmias as well as emboli which can cause strokes. Left atrial appendage occlusion and ligation devices are used to eliminate atrial arrhythmias and emboli from clots in the atrial appendage. While methods exist for closure of an LAA, ablation using any modality to control LAA emboli by decreasing or obliterating the lumen of the LAA has not been described in the prior art.
Steam-based ablation systems, such as the ones disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,615,875, 9,433,457, 9,376,497, 9,561,068, 9,561,067, and 9,561,066, disclose ablation systems that controllably deliver steam through one or more lumens toward a tissue target. One problem that all such steam-based ablation systems have is the potential overheating or burning of healthy tissue. Steam passing through a channel within a body cavity heats up surfaces of the channel and may cause exterior surfaces of the medical tool, other than the operational tool end itself, to become excessively hot. As a result, physicians may unintentionally burn healthy tissue when external portions of the device, other than the distal operational end of the tool, accidentally contacts healthy tissue. U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,561,068, 9,561,067, and 9,561,066 are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Double balloon ablation catheters having inner and outer balloons, such as the ones disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,727,228, 7,850,685, 8,425,456, and 8,679,104, maintain the outer balloon under a vacuum with almost no space between the inner and outer balloons. The purpose of such a construction is to provide a backup covering (the outer balloon) in case of a catastrophic failure of the inner balloon. Hence, during operation, the dimensions of the inner and outer balloons and shape of the inner and outer balloons are substantially the same and, during operation of the catheter, the outer balloon fits on the inner balloon like a glove.
What is needed is a catheter configured to concurrently direct ablative vapor heat toward cardiac tissue, firmly position the catheter in the right cardiac tissue location, avoid burning healthy, or non-targeted tissue, including blood, and controllably deliver ablative energy to the target location. It would be further desirable to have steam-based ablation devices that integrate into the catheter safety mechanisms which prevent unwanted thermal injury to the patient and the operator during use. It is further desirable to be able to provide a way to increase, or augment, a natural cooling process to thereby decrease treatment time. It is also desirable to create dynamic or variable ablation (hot) and cooling zones that can vary with, and accommodate to, a patient's anatomy. Finally, it is desirable to provide an easy to implement heated ablation zone and cooling mechanism that does not rely on a separate medical tool to deliver fluid to cool the treatment area.
The present specification discloses a method of ablating cardiac tissue, the method comprising: positioning a catheter proximate a cardiac tissue of a patient, wherein the catheter comprises an elongate body having a lumen, a proximal end and a distal end and wherein an outer balloon and an inner balloon are positioned at the distal end such that the inner balloon is positioned within the outer balloon; inflating the outer balloon with a first fluid to increase a pressure of the outer balloon to a first outer balloon pressure; infusing heated vapor into the inner balloon to increase a pressure of the inner balloon to a first inner balloon pressure, wherein infusing heated vapor into the inner balloon creates an ablation zone and wherein a surface area of the ablation zone is defined by a portion of the inner balloon contacting a portion of the outer balloon to thereby allow for heat transfer from the heated vapor in the inner balloon through the ablation zone to the cardiac tissue; maintaining the first inner balloon pressure for a first pre-determined period of time to ablate the cardiac tissue to a predetermined extent; stopping the infusion of heated vapor, wherein stopping the infusion of heated vapor causes the pressure of the inner balloon to decrease to a second inner balloon pressure; and deflating the outer balloon to a second outer balloon pressure.
The cardiac tissue may be a pulmonary vein, a portion of a pulmonary vein, a pulmonary vein ostium, an atrium, tissue proximate to a pulmonary vein antrum, or a left atrial appendage. Optionally, the method further comprises documenting a degree of pulmonary vein occlusion achieved by inflating the outer balloon.
The first outer balloon pressure may be between 0.01 atm and 5 atm and preferably between 0.1 atm and 5 atm or any range or increment therein.
Optionally, the method further comprises inflating the inner balloon with a second fluid prior to infusing the heated vapor into the inner balloon, wherein the second fluid is air or CO2.
Optionally, the first pre-determined period of time is between 1 second and 5 minutes. The first outer balloon pressure may be maintained for the first pre-determined period of time.
Optionally, the surface area of the ablation zone is a function of a surface area of tissue positioned at a junction between the patient's pulmonary vein and the patient's left atrium.
Optionally, the method further comprises removing a fluid created by a condensation of the heated vapor in the inner balloon, wherein the removal of the fluid decreases the pressure of the inner balloon to a third inner balloon pressure and wherein the third inner balloon pressure is less than or equal to the first inner balloon pressure.
Optionally, the catheter comprises a plurality of electrodes positioned proximate the distal end and the heated vapor is generated by directing saline through the lumen and over the plurality of electrodes.
Optionally, the method further comprises documenting a degree of removing an occlusion of the pulmonary vein after deflating the outer balloon.
The first fluid may be air or CO2.
Optionally, the heated vapor comprises steam and a temperature of the heated vapor is at least 100° C.
Optionally, the method further comprises placing a guide wire or pacing catheter into a heart of the patient and placing the catheter over the guide wire or pacing catheter. Optionally, the method further comprises sensing or stimulating a pulmonary vein using the guide wire or pacing catheter to determine a degree of pulmonary vein isolation.
Optionally, a distal tip of the catheter is configured to deflect from a linear configuration to a curved configuration, wherein the curved configuration is defined by the distal tip being adapted to turn up to 150 degrees through a radius ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 inches.
Optionally, the inflated outer balloon is in contact with a portion of an ostium of a pulmonary vein and occludes at least a portion of the pulmonary vein 2 mm to 15 mm distal to the pulmonary vein ostium.
Optionally, the ablation zone has a width of 2 mm to 15 mm and a curved length at least partially defined by an extent of contact between the inflated outer balloon and a surface of the cardiac tissue.
Optionally, a distance between an outer surface of the inflated outer balloon and an outer surface of the uninflated inner balloon is in a range of 1 mm to 25 mm.
Optionally, the method further comprises using at least one of fluoroscopy, three dimensional mapping, or an endoscopic procedure to determine an extent of contact of between at least two of the inner balloon, the outer balloon, and the cardiac tissue.
Optionally, the catheter further comprises at least one sensor. Optionally, the at least one sensor is configured to monitor contact of the inner balloon with the outer balloon or configured to monitor a temperature or pressure of the outer balloon or a temperature or pressure of the inner balloon.
Optionally, the method further comprises introducing the catheter through a venous puncture in a femoral vein of the patient and advancing the catheter into a left atrium of the patient and into a pulmonary vein or left atrial appendage through a trans-septal puncture.
Optionally, the ablation zone is positioned away from a source of production of the heated vapor no further than 100 mm.
Optionally, the ablation zone is only created when a pressure opposing a surface of the outer balloon is greater than 0.1 psi.
Optionally, the method further comprises repeating steps to ablate cardiac tissue for a second pre-determined period of time, wherein the second pre-determined period of time is equal to 50% to 250% of the first pre-determined period of time.
Optionally, the ablation is performed to treat atrial fibrillation or ablate a left atrial appendage in the patient.
Optionally, upon being inflated, the outer balloon has a pear-shaped configuration, wherein the pear-shaped configuration comprises a proximal body that narrows into a tapered distal end.
Optionally, upon being inflated, a shape of the outer balloon is defined by a curve of a surface of the outer balloon that is further defined by a plane intersecting an entire length of the catheter, wherein the curve is characterized by a first point, a second point, and a third point sequentially positioned, and extending along the length of the catheter, between a proximal point and a distal point, wherein a first slope between the proximal point and first point has a first value, a second slope between the first point and second point has a second value, a third slope between the second point and the third point has a third value, a fourth slope between the third point and distal point has a fourth value, and wherein an absolute value of the first value is greater than an absolute value of the second value, an absolute value of the third value or an absolute value of the fourth value, the absolute value of the second value is greater than the absolute value of the third value, and the absolute value of the fourth value is greater than the absolute value of the third value; and, when inflated, the inner balloon has the shape of an oblate spheroid where the minor axis, or short axis, coincides with the longitudinal axis of the catheter and the major axis, or long axis, is perpendicular to the catheter.
Optionally, upon being inflated, a shape of the outer balloon may be defined by a first distance from a central axis of the outer balloon to a first proximal point on an outer surface of the outer balloon, a second distance from the central axis to a second proximal point on the outer surface of the outer balloon, a third distance from the central axis to a third point on the outer surface of the outer balloon, a fourth distance from the central axis to a first distal point on the outer surface of the outer balloon, and a fifth distance from the central axis to a second distal point on the outer surface of the outer balloon, wherein each of the first proximal point, the second proximal point, the third point, the first distal point, and the second distal point are sequentially positioned along a length of the central axis starting from a proximal position and extending distally, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance, the third distance, and the fifth distance and wherein the fourth distance is greater than the first distance, the second distance, the third distance, and the fifth distance.
Optionally, upon the inner balloon and outer balloon being inflated, the ablation zone has a width and curved length defined by an extent of contact between the outer balloon and a portion of the cardiac tissue.
The present specification also discloses a system for ablating cardiac tissue comprising: a catheter adapted to be positioned proximate a cardiac tissue of a patient, wherein the catheter comprises: a distal end; a proximal end; a first lumen; a second lumen comprising a heating element; an inner balloon positioned at the distal end of the catheter and in fluid communication with the second lumen; and an outer balloon positioned at the distal end of the catheter and enclosing the inner balloon, wherein the outer balloon is in fluid communication with a first fluid source via the first lumen and wherein, upon inflation of the outer balloon with a first fluid and inflation of the inner balloon with a heated vapor, an ablation zone is formed at a contact area of the inner balloon with the outer balloon; and a controller, wherein the controller comprises programmatic instructions that, when executed, cause: the first fluid to be infused into the outer balloon; and a second fluid to be directed through the second lumen and placed in contact with the heating element to form the heated vapor.
Optionally, the outer balloon is not fixedly attached to the inner balloon in said contact area.
Optionally, a contour of a surface area of the ablation zone is a function of, and dependent on, a portion of the pulmonary vein of the patient.
Optionally, the ablation zone is defined by a surface area and a size of the surface area ranges from 5% to 95% of a surface area of at least one of the inner balloon or outer balloon.
Optionally, the ablation zone has a width in a range of 1 mm to 20 mm.
Optionally, the first fluid is air or CO2.
Optionally, the second fluid is saline or carbonated saline, the heated vapor is steam, and the heated vapor has a temperature of at least 100° C.
Optionally, the heating element is flexible and comprises a plurality of electrodes positioned within the second lumen. Optionally, the heating element is defined by a distal end wherein the distal end is positioned at a distance in a range of 0 mm to 80 mm from a proximal end of the outer balloon.
Optionally, the heating element comprises a plurality of electrodes configured to receive an electrical current activated by the controller. Optionally, each of the plurality of electrodes comprises at least one edge adapted to be exposed to fluid present in the second lumen.
Optionally, the system further comprises one or more insulation zones, wherein each of the one or more insulation zones is defined by a surface area of the outer balloon that is proximal or distal to the ablation zone and wherein each of the one or more insulation zones has an average temperature that is less than an average temperature of the ablation zone. Optionally, each of the one or more insulation zones has a width of at least 0.1 mm and extends along a curved length in a range of 1 mm to a circumference of the outer balloon.
Optionally, the inner balloon is configured to be movable along a horizontal longitudinal axis within the outer balloon and the catheter further comprises a mechanism configured to move the inner balloon within the outer balloon.
Optionally, the controller further comprises programmatic instructions that, when executed, cause the outer balloon to be inflated to a first pressure and maintained at the first pressure during ablation. Optionally, the controller further comprises programmatic instructions that, when executed, cause the inner balloon to be inflated to a second pressure during ablation, wherein the first pressure is equal to or less than the second pressure. Optionally, the first pressure is between 0.01 atm and 5 atm and preferably between 0.1 atm and 5 atm or any range or increment therein.
Optionally, the system further comprises one or more pressure valves in fluid communication with the first lumen, wherein each of the one or more pressure valves is configured to control a movement of fluid into, or out of, the outer balloon based upon a predetermined pressure level.
Optionally, the controller further comprises programmatic instructions that, when executed, cause the ablation zone to be maintained for a period of time between 1 second and 5 minutes.
Optionally, the controller further comprises programmatic instructions that, when executed, cause the outer balloon to be inflated to a first volume and the inner balloon to be inflated to a second volume and wherein the first volume is at least 10% greater than the second volume.
Optionally, the system further comprises a mapping member positioned at a distal end of the catheter and configured to map an area of cardiac tissue responsible for a cardiac arrhythmia, wherein the mapping member comprises a plurality of sensors, detectors, or electrodes. Optionally, the mapping member comprises a range of 1 to 64 electrodes configured to record signals form the pulmonary vein or pacing in the pulmonary vein.
Optionally, the system further comprises at least one sensor, wherein the at least one sensor is positioned at the distal end of the catheter or at the proximal end of the catheter. Optionally, the sensor comprises a temperature sensor configured to monitor a delivery of thermal energy to the cardiac tissue. Optionally, the sensor comprises a pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure inside the inner balloon.
Optionally, the outer balloon is defined by a pear shape and configured to be positioned in the pulmonary vein of the patient to occlude the pulmonary vein.
Optionally, when inflated, the outer balloon has an axis that extends along a length of the outer balloon and through the center of the outer balloon and a distance from the axis to an outer surface of the outer balloon changes along said length.
Optionally, upon being inflated, a shape of the outer balloon is defined by a curve of a surface of the outer balloon that is further defined by a plane intersecting an entire length of the catheter, wherein the curve is characterized by a first point, a second point, and a third point sequentially positioned, and extending along the length of the catheter, between a proximal point and a distal point, wherein a first slope between the proximal point and first point has a first value, a second slope between the first point and second point has a second value, a third slope between the second point and the third point has a third value, a fourth slope between the third point and distal point has a fourth value, and wherein an absolute value of the first value is greater than an absolute value of the second value, an absolute value of the third value or an absolute value of the fourth value, the absolute value of the second value is greater than the absolute value of the third value, and the absolute value of the fourth value is greater than the absolute value of the third value; and, when inflated, the inner balloon has the shape of an oblate spheroid where the minor axis, or short axis, coincides with the longitudinal axis of the catheter and the major axis, or long axis, is perpendicular to the catheter.
Optionally, upon being inflated, a shape of the outer balloon may be defined by a first distance from a central axis of the outer balloon to a first proximal point on an outer surface of the outer balloon, a second distance from the central axis to a second proximal point on the outer surface of the outer balloon, a third distance from the central axis to a third point on the outer surface of the outer balloon, a fourth distance from the central axis to a first distal point on the outer surface of the outer balloon, and a fifth distance from the central axis to a second distal point on the outer surface of the outer balloon, wherein each of the first proximal point, the second proximal point, the third point, the first distal point, and the second distal point are sequentially positioned along a length of the central axis starting from a proximal position and extending distally, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance, the third distance, and the fifth distance and wherein the fourth distance is greater than the first distance, the second distance, the third distance, and the fifth distance.
Optionally, the inner balloon has a spherical, ovoid, conical, disc, elliptical, rectangular prism, or triangular prism shape.
Optionally, when inflated, the outer balloon is characterized by at least one first radial length extending from a central point on an axis extending longitudinally along the catheter and through the outer balloon to a point on a surface of the outer balloon, wherein, when inflated, the inner balloon, is characterized by at least one second radial length extending from a central point on an axis extending longitudinally along the catheter and through the inner balloon to a point on a surface of the inner balloon, and wherein the at least one first radial length is different than the at least one second radial length. Optionally, the at least one first radial length is greater than the at least one second radial length by any amount or by at least 10%.
Optionally, upon the inner balloon and outer balloon being inflated, the ablation zone has a width and curved length defined by an extent of contact between the outer balloon and the cardiac tissue.
The present specification also discloses a method of treating atrial fibrillation, the method comprising: positioning a catheter in a pulmonary vein leading to a left atrium of a heart of a patient, said catheter comprising an elongate body with proximal and distal ends, wherein an outer balloon and an inner balloon are positioned at the distal end such that the inner balloon lies within the outer balloon; inflating the outer balloon to a first pressure to occlude blood flow in the pulmonary vein; beginning vapor flow to the inner balloon to inflate said inner balloon, wherein upon full expansion the inner balloon contacts with a predetermined circumferential area of the outer balloon so that thermal energy is transmitted from within the inner balloon through the outer balloon into surrounding cardiac tissue which is in contact with the predetermined circumferential area of the outer balloon; stopping delivery of vapor to the inner balloon after a predetermined time thereby causing the inner balloon to deflate and disconnect from the outer balloon; and deflating the outer balloon.
Optionally, vapor is supplied to the inner balloon by a flexible heating chamber positioned inline within the body at a position proximate and proximal to the outer balloon.
Optionally, the first pressure is greater than a mean pulmonary vein pressure and less than 5 atm.
Optionally, vapor flow to the inner balloon raises a temperature within the inner balloon to equal to or greater than 100 degrees Celsius and the pressure between the inner balloon is greater than the pressure in the outer balloon.
Optionally, after vapor flow to the inner balloon, air or CO2 is circulated into and out of the outer balloon to maintain a temperature of a portion of the outer balloon below 60 degrees Celsius.
Optionally, after vapor flow to the inner balloon, air or CO2 is suctioned out of the outer balloon to maintain pressure within the outer balloon at the first pressure.
Optionally, said transmission of thermal energy causes a temperature of a portion of said cardiac tissue to be raised to at least 60 degrees Celsius.
Optionally, the inner balloon is moved along a length of the body, within the outer balloon, to better position the inner balloon at a target range of circumferential areas of the outer balloon.
Optionally, upon inflation, a length of the outer balloon is greater than a length of the inner balloon and a diameter of the inner balloon approximates a diameter of the outer balloon and a volume of the outer balloon is greater than the volume of the inner balloon.
The present specification also discloses a method of ablating cardiac tissue, the method comprising: positioning a catheter in a pulmonary vein of a patient's heart, said catheter comprising an elongate body with proximal and distal ends, wherein an outer balloon and an inner balloon are positioned at the distal end such that the inner balloon lies within the outer balloon; inflating the outer balloon to a first pressure to occlude blood flow in the pulmonary vein; beginning vapor flow to the inner balloon to inflate said inner balloon and raise a temperature within the inner balloon to greater than or equal to 100 degrees Celsius, and a second pressure within the inner balloon to greater than or equal to a first pressure wherein upon full expansion the inner balloon contacts with a circumferentially-defined target region of the outer balloon so that thermal energy is transmitted from within the inner balloon through the outer balloon into said cardiac tissue which is in contact with the predetermined circumferential area of the outer balloon; suctioning air or CO2 or a coolant out of the outer balloon to maintain pressure within the outer balloon to the first pressure; stopping delivery of vapor to the inner balloon after a predetermined time thereby causing the inner balloon to deflate and disconnect from the outer balloon; deflating the outer balloon; and removing the catheter from the pulmonary vein.
Optionally, vapor is supplied to the inner balloon by a flexible heating chamber positioned inline within the body at a position proximate and proximal to the outer balloon.
Optionally, the first pressure is greater than a mean pulmonary vein pressure and less than 5 atm and the second pressure is greater or equal to a first pressure.
Optionally, after vapor flow to the inner balloon, air or CO2 or a coolant is circulated into and out of the outer balloon to maintain a temperature of a portion of the outer balloon below 60 degrees Celsius.
Optionally, said transmission of thermal energy causes a temperature of a portion of said cardiac tissue to be raised to at least 60 degrees Celsius.
Optionally, the inner balloon is moved along a length of the body, within the outer balloon, to better position the inner balloon at a circumferentially defined target area of the outer balloon.
Optionally, prior to removal of the catheter and during the ablation, the pulmonary vein is electrically paced to confirm achievement of at least one therapeutic objective. In some embodiments, the therapeutic objective is electrical isolation of one or more of the pulmonary veins.
Optionally, said at least one therapeutic objective comprises raising a temperature of 25% of an endocardium around a circumference to at least 60 degrees Celsius and maintaining said temperature for greater than 10 seconds.
The present specification also discloses a method of ablating cardiac tissue to treat an arrhythmia, the method comprising: positioning a catheter in a pulmonary vein of a patient's heart, said catheter comprising an elongate body with proximal and distal ends, wherein an outer balloon and an inner balloon are positioned at the distal end such that the inner balloon lies within the outer balloon; inflating the outer balloon to a first pressure to occlude blood flow in the pulmonary vein, wherein the first pressure is greater than a mean pulmonary vein pressure and less than 5 atm; beginning vapor flow to the inner balloon to inflate said inner balloon and raise a temperature within the inner balloon to greater than or equal to 100 degrees Celsius, wherein upon full expansion the inner balloon contacts the outer balloon to create an ablation zone, and wherein thermal energy is transmitted from within the inner balloon through the outer balloon into said cardiac tissue which is in contact with the ablation zone; circulating air or CO2 or a coolant in to and out of the outer balloon to maintain a temperature of a portion of the outer balloon below 60 degrees Celsius; stopping delivery of vapor to the inner balloon after a predetermined time thereby causing the inner balloon to deflate and disconnect from the outer balloon; deflating the outer balloon by suctioning out air or CO2 or coolant from the outer balloon; and removing the catheter from the pulmonary vein.
Optionally, vapor is supplied to the inner balloon by a flexible heating chamber positioned inline within the body at a position proximate and proximal to the outer balloon.
Optionally, after vapor flow to the inner balloon, air, CO2 or a coolant is suctioned out of the outer balloon to maintain pressure within the outer balloon at the first pressure.
Optionally, said transmission of thermal energy causes a temperature of a portion of said cardiac tissue to be raised to at least 60 degrees Celsius.
Optionally, the inner balloon is moved along a length of the body, within the outer balloon, to better position the inner balloon at said ablation zone.
Optionally, the inner balloon is pre-inflated with air or CO2 prior to instilling vapor.
Optionally, prior to removal of the catheter, the pulmonary vein is electrically paced to confirm achievement of at least one therapeutic objective. Optionally, said at least one therapeutic objective comprises raising a temperature of 25% or more of an endocardium around a circumference to at least 60 degrees Celsius and maintaining said temperature for greater than 10 seconds.
The present specification also discloses a method of ablating cardiac tissue to treat atrial fibrillation and meet at least one therapeutic objective, the method comprising: positioning a catheter in a pulmonary vein of a patient's heart, said catheter comprising an elongate body with proximal and distal ends, wherein an outer balloon and an inner balloon are positioned at the distal end such that the inner balloon lies within the outer balloon, and wherein at least one flexible heating chamber is positioned inline within the body proximate and proximal to the outer balloon; inflating the outer balloon to a first pressure to occlude blood flow in the pulmonary vein; beginning vapor flow to the inner balloon to inflate said inner balloon and raise a temperature within the inner balloon to greater than or equal to 100 degrees Celsius, wherein upon full expansion the inner balloon is moved along a length of the catheter to contact the outer balloon at a desired position thereby creating an ablation zone at said desired position, and wherein thermal energy is transmitted from within the inner balloon through the outer balloon into said cardiac tissue which is in contact with the ablation zone so that a temperature of a portion of said cardiac tissue is raised to at least 60 degrees Celsius; circulating air or CO2 or a coolant in to and out of the outer balloon to maintain a temperature of the outer balloon, at locations away from the ablation zone, below 60 degrees Celsius; stopping delivery of vapor to the inner balloon thereby causing the inner balloon to deflate and disconnect from the outer balloon; deflating the outer balloon; and removing the catheter from the pulmonary vein.
Optionally, after vapor flow to the inner balloon, air is suctioned out of the outer balloon to maintain pressure within the outer balloon to the first pressure.
Optionally, prior to removal of the catheter, the pulmonary vein is electrically paced to confirm achievement of said at least one therapeutic objective. Optionally, the therapeutic objective is electrical isolation of a pulmonary vein. Optionally, said at least one therapeutic objective comprises raising a temperature of 25% or more of an endocardium around a circumference to at least 60 degrees Celsius and maintaining said temperature for greater than 10 seconds.
Optionally, upon inflation, a length of the outer balloon is greater than a length of the inner balloon and a diameter of the inner balloon approximates a diameter of the outer balloon and a volume of the outer balloon is greater than the volume of the inner balloon.
The present specification also discloses a method of ablating cardiac tissue to treat atrial fibrillation and meet at least one therapeutic objective, the method comprising: positioning a catheter in a pulmonary vein of a patient's heart, said catheter comprising an elongate body with proximal and distal ends, wherein an outer balloon and an inner balloon are positioned at the distal end such that the inner balloon lies within the outer balloon, and wherein at least one flexible heating chamber is positioned inline within the body proximate and proximal to the outer balloon; inflating the inner balloon to a first pressure to occlude blood flow in the pulmonary vein; inflating the outer balloon to a second pressure to displace the blood away from the first balloon wherein the second pressure is equal to or less than the first pressure, beginning vapor flow to the inner balloon to heat said inner balloon and raise a temperature within the inner balloon to greater than or equal to 100 degrees Celsius and a third pressure wherein the third pressure is same or higher than the first pressure, wherein the inner balloon contacts the outer balloon at a desired position thereby creating an ablation zone at said desired position, and wherein thermal energy is transmitted from within the inner balloon through the outer balloon into said cardiac tissue which is in contact with the ablation zone so that a temperature of a portion of said cardiac tissue is raised to at least 60 degrees Celsius; circulating air or CO2 or a coolant into and out of the outer balloon to maintain a temperature of the outer balloon, at locations away from the ablation zone, below 60 degrees Celsius; stopping delivery of vapor to the inner balloon thereby causing the inner balloon to deflate and disconnect from the outer balloon; deflating the outer balloon; and removing the catheter from the pulmonary vein.
Optionally, after vapor flow to the inner balloon, air is suctioned out of the outer balloon to maintain pressure within the outer balloon at the first pressure.
Optionally, prior to removal of the catheter, the pulmonary vein is electrically paced to confirm achievement of said at least one therapeutic objective. Optionally, the therapeutic objective is electrical isolation of a pulmonary vein. Optionally, said at least one therapeutic objective comprises raising a temperature of 25% of an endocardium around a circumference to at least 60 degrees Celsius and maintaining said temperature for greater than 10 seconds.
Optionally, upon inflation, a length of the outer balloon is greater than a length of the inner balloon and a diameter of the inner balloon approximates a diameter of the outer balloon and a volume of the outer balloon is greater than the volume of the inner balloon.
Optionally, an intersection of the shapes of the inner balloon and the outer balloon determine a shape and/or size of the ablation zone.
Optionally a durometer of an inner balloon is different from a durometer of the outer balloon.
The present specification also discloses a method of ablating a left atrial appendage tissue to treat an left atrial appendage disorder including atrial fibrillation and meet at least one therapeutic objective, the method comprising: positioning a catheter in a left atrial appendage of a patient's heart, said catheter comprising an elongate body with proximal and distal ends, wherein an outer balloon and an inner balloon are positioned at the distal end such that the inner balloon lies within the outer balloon and a third balloon is positioned distal to the outer balloon, and wherein at least one flexible heating chamber is positioned inline within the body proximate and proximal to the outer balloon; inflating the outer balloon to a first pressure to occlude blood flow to the left atrial appendage; inflating the third balloon to a second pressure to displace the blood out of the left atrial appendage; beginning irrigation with a fluid through the catheter distal to the third balloon into the left atrial appendage to irrigate any remaining blood between the third balloon and the left atrial appendage out of the left atrial appendage, followed by applying suction through the lumen in the catheter to aspirate any excess fluid and blood and to oppose the left atrial appendage against the third balloon; beginning vapor flow to the third balloon to heat said third balloon and raise a temperature within the third balloon to greater than or equal to 100 degrees Celsius and a third pressure wherein the third pressure is equal to or greater than the second pressure, wherein the third balloon contacts at least 10% of the left atrial appendage creating a transmural ablation to at least 10% of the left atrial appendage. Optionally, the method further comprises delivering vapor to the inner balloon wherein thermal energy is transmitted from within the inner balloon through the outer balloon into said cardiac tissue at the opening of the left atrial appendage which is in contact with the ablation zone so that a temperature of a portion of said cardiac tissue is raised to at least 60 degrees Celsius; circulating air or CO2 or a coolant in to and out of the outer balloon to maintain a temperature of the outer balloon, at locations away from the ablation zone, below 60 degrees Celsius; stopping delivery of vapor to the third balloon and the inner balloon thereby causing the third balloon and the inner balloon to deflate and the inner balloon to disconnect from the outer balloon while the outer balloon maintains contact with a left atrial appendage ostium and preventing blood from flowing into the left atrial ostium; deflating the outer balloon; and removing the catheter from the left atrial appendage. Optionally, the method further comprises insertion of an acellular matrix or a scaffolding into the left atrial appendage to promote tissue growth in the left atrial appendage to decrease the surface area or a circumference of a left atrial appendage.
Optionally, after vapor flow to the inner balloon, air is suctioned out of the outer balloon to maintain a pressure within the outer balloon at the first pressure.
Optionally, prior to removal of the catheter, the left atrial appendage is electrically paced to confirm achievement of said at least one therapeutic objective. Optionally, the therapeutic objective is electrical isolation of a left atrial appendage. Optionally, said at least one therapeutic objective comprises raising a temperature of 25% of an endocardium around a circumference to at least 60 degrees Celsius and maintaining said temperature for greater than 10 seconds.
Optionally, upon inflation, a length of the outer balloon is greater than a length of the inner balloon and a diameter of the inner balloon approximates a diameter of the outer balloon and a volume of the outer balloon is greater than the volume of the inner balloon.
Optionally, an intersection of the shapes of the inner balloon and the outer balloon determine a shape and/or size of an ablation zone.
Optionally, the durometer of an inner balloon is different from the durometer of the outer balloon. Optionally, the durometer of the outer balloon is same as the durometer of the third balloon.
Optionally, a different ablation modality, such as a cryoablation, an RF ablation or an electroporation using the above methodology or using any commercially available ablation catheter can be used for the ablation of a left atrial appendage to treat a condition of a left atrial appendage.
In one embodiment, 25% or more of a surface area of a left atrial appendage is ablated. In another embodiment, 25% or more of a thickness of a left atrial appendage is ablated.
The present specification also discloses an ablation catheter comprising: a shaft having multiple separate channels extending there through; an inner balloon having a first inflated volume in fluid communication with a first one of the multiple separate channels; an outer balloon having a second inflated volume in fluid communication with a second one of the multiple separate channels, wherein, when inflated, the outer balloon's inflated volume is equal to or greater than 105% of the inner balloon's inflated volume, wherein, when inflated, the inner balloon is positioned entirely within the outer balloon's inflated volume, wherein, when inflated, the outer balloon is configured to occlude a pulmonary vein of the patient, wherein the inner balloon is configured to receive steam and wherein, when inflated, an exterior surface of the inner balloon contacts an interior surface of the outer balloon to form an ablation zone on a surface of the outer balloon.
Optionally, a surface area of the ablation zone is less than 50% of the total surface area of the outer balloon.
Optionally, the ablation zone is positioned closer to a distal end of the outer balloon than a proximal end of the outer balloon.
Optionally, a position of the ablation zone changes based on an anatomy of the patient.
Optionally, a location of the ablation zone is based upon a physiology of a patient.
Optionally, the shaft, each of the multiple separate channels, the inner balloon, and the outer balloon are made of a same material. Optionally, the same material is Amitel. Optionally, the same material has a softening temperature of 100° C. or greater.
Optionally, a circumference of the inner balloon at its inflated volume, does not change more than 10% after one use.
The aforementioned and other embodiments of the present invention shall be described in greater depth in the drawings and detailed description provided below.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be further appreciated, as they become better understood by reference to the detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
In various embodiments, the ablation devices and catheters described in the present specification are used in conjunction with any one or more of the heating systems described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/594,444, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Tissue Ablation”, filed on Jan. 12, 2015 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,561,068 on Feb. 7, 2017, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
“Treat,” “treatment,” and variations thereof refer to any reduction in the extent, frequency, or severity of one or more symptoms or signs associated with a condition.
“Duration” and variations thereof refer to the time course of a prescribed treatment, from initiation to conclusion, whether the treatment is concluded because the condition is resolved or the treatment is suspended for any reason. Over the duration of treatment, a plurality of treatment periods may be prescribed during which one or more prescribed stimuli are administered to the subject.
“Period” refers to the time over which a “dose” of stimulation is administered to a subject as part of the prescribed treatment plan.
The term “and/or” means one or all of the listed elements or a combination of any two or more of the listed elements.
In the description and claims of the application, each of the words “comprise” “include” and “have”, and forms thereof, are not necessarily limited to members in a list with which the words may be associated. The terms “comprises” and variations thereof do not have a limiting meaning where these terms appear in the description and claims. It should be noted herein that any feature or component described in association with a specific embodiment may be used and implemented with any other embodiment unless clearly indicated otherwise.
Unless otherwise specified, “a,” “an,” “the,” “one or more,” and “at least one” are used interchangeably and mean one or more than one.
The term “controller” refers to an integrated hardware and software system defined by a plurality of processing elements, such as integrated circuits, application specific integrated circuits, and/or field programmable gate arrays, in data communication with memory elements, such as random access memory or read only memory where one or more processing elements are configured to execute programmatic instructions stored in one or more memory elements.
The term “vapor generation system” refers to any or all of the heater or induction-based approaches to generating steam from water described in this application.
The terms “coolant”, “cooling agent”, and “insulating agent” may be used interchangeably and may refer to air, water, or CO2.
The term “cardiac tissue” refers to a portion of the pulmonary vein, a pulmonary vein ostium, a junction between the left atrium and pulmonary vein, an atrium, a left atrial appendage, tissue adjacent thereto, or other parts of the heart and adjacent tissue.
For any method disclosed herein that includes discrete steps, the steps may be conducted in any feasible order. And, as appropriate, any combination of two or more steps may be conducted simultaneously.
Also herein, the recitations of numerical ranges by endpoints include all numbers subsumed within that range (e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, 5, etc.). Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of components, molecular weights, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless otherwise indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification and claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present specification. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.
Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the specification are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. All numerical values, however, inherently contain a range necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.
The devices and methods of the present specification can be used to cause controlled focal or circumferential ablation of targeted tissue to varying depth in a manner in which complete healing with re-epithelialization can occur. Additionally, the vapor could be used to treat/ablate benign and malignant tissue growths resulting in destruction, liquefaction and absorption of the ablated tissue. The dose and manner of treatment can be adjusted based on the type of tissue and the depth of ablation needed. The ablation device can be used for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation, ventricular fibrillation, atrial appendage reduction or closure, hypertension, diabetes, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis/nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NASH/NAFLD), asthma, and for the treatment of any mucosal, submucosal or circumferential lesion, such as inflammatory lesions, tumors, polyps and vascular lesions. The ablation device can also be used for the treatment of focal or circumferential mucosal or submucosal lesions of any hollow organ or hollow body passage in the body. The hollow organ can be one of a vascular structure such as blood vessels, heart tissue, pulmonary artery or vein, pulmonary vein ostium, left atrium, ventricular tissue, left atrial appendage, renal artery/vein/nerve, hepatic artery/vein/nerve or portal vein and bronchus or bronchial nerve. The ablation device can be placed endoscopically, radiologically, surgically or under direct visualization. In various embodiments, wireless endoscopes or single fiber endoscopes can be incorporated as a part of the device. In another embodiment, magnetic or stereotactic navigation can be used to navigate the catheter to the desired location. Radio-opaque or sonolucent material can be incorporated into the body of the catheter for radiological localization. Ferro- or ferromagnetic materials can be incorporated into the catheter to help with magnetic navigation.
Ablative agents such as steam, heated gas or cryogens, such as, but not limited to, liquid nitrogen and liquid CO2 are inexpensive and readily available and are directed via the infusion port onto the tissue, held at a fixed and consistent distance, targeted for ablation. This allows for uniform distribution of the ablative agent on the targeted tissue. With respect to the present specification, the preferred ablative agent is hot vapor generated from a source of saline or carbonated saline. In some embodiments, the ablative agent comprises electrical energy delivered as radiofrequency or as electrical pulses to achieve electroporation.
The flow of the ablative agent is controlled by a microprocessor according to a predetermined method based on the characteristic of the tissue to be ablated, required depth of ablation, and distance of the port from the tissue. The microprocessor may use temperature, pressure, electrical or other sensing data to control the flow of the ablative agent. In addition, one or more suction ports are provided to suction the ablation agent from the vicinity of the targeted tissue. The targeted segment can be treated by a continuous infusion of the ablative agent or via cycles of infusion and removal of the ablative agent as determined and controlled by the microprocessor.
It should be appreciated that the devices and embodiments described herein are implemented in concert with a controller that comprises a microprocessor executing control instructions. The controller can be in the form of any computing device, including desktop, laptop, and mobile device, and can communicate control signals to the ablation devices in wired or wireless form.
The present invention is directed towards multiple embodiments. The following disclosure is provided in order to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention. Language used in this specification should not be interpreted as a general disavowal of any one specific embodiment or used to limit the claims beyond the meaning of the terms used therein. The general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Also, the terminology and phraseology used is for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments and should not be considered limiting. Thus, the present invention is to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents consistent with the principles and features disclosed. For purpose of clarity, details relating to technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.
Ablation Controller for the Delivery of Fluid to a Catheter and Heating of the Fluid Therein
Ablative agent is stored in a reservoir 14 connected to the catheter 10. Delivery of the ablative agent is controlled by a controller 15. In various embodiments, the controller 15 comprises a machine that controllably delivers a flow of fluid to the catheter 10. Optional sensor 17 monitors changes in an ablative tissue or its vicinity to guide flow of ablative agent. In one embodiment, optional sensor 17 also includes a temperature sensor. Optional infrared, electromagnetic, acoustic or radiofrequency energy emitters and sensors 18 measure the dimensions of the hollow organ. In one embodiment, the ablative agent is saline which is converted to vapor along the length of the catheter 10.
In one embodiment, a user interface included with the controller 15 allows a physician to define device, organ, and condition which in turn creates default settings for temperature, cycling, volume (sounds), and standard RF settings. In one embodiment, these defaults can be further modified by the physician. The user interface also includes standard displays of all key variables, along with warnings if values exceed or go below certain levels.
The ablation device also includes safety mechanisms to prevent users from being burned while manipulating the catheter, including insulation, and optionally, cool/room temperature air or fluid flush, cool/room temperature water flush, and alarms/tones to indicate start and stop of treatment.
General Ablation Catheters and Methods
In various embodiments, ablation therapy provided by the vapor ablation systems of the present specification is delivered to achieve the following general therapeutic endpoints: maintain a tissue temperature between 45° C. and 100° C. for a time period lasting longer than 1 sec; maintain a tissue temperature at 100° C. or less to cause coagulation of intracellular proteins without carbonization of intracellular sugars; exert a pressure on a tissue to be ablated equal to or less than 125% of a pre-treatment pressure of the tissue; and exert a pressure on a tissue to be ablated which is less than a patient's mean arterial pressure so as not to impede perfusion to the tissue.
In the embodiment depicted in
A fluid 426 is introduced into the second lumen 425 at a fluid input port 402 at the proximal end of the catheter 400 and exits through the fluid delivery port 427. In one embodiment, the fluid 426 is a coolant. In one embodiment, the coolant is water and is in a temperature range of 0 degrees C. to 60 degrees C. Negative pressure is applied, using a pump, to the third lumen 430 at a suction input port 403 at the proximal end of the catheter 400 to enable suction of the fluid, delivered from the fluid delivery port 427 and the infusion ports 415 respectively, via the suction port 432. In various embodiments, the fluid delivery port 427 and a suction port 432 can be located at various locations along the length of the catheter 400 distal to positioning balloon 412 or proximal to positioning balloon 410.
At step 464, the positioning elements or balloons 410, 412 are deployed such that the plurality of infusion ports 415 lie proximate to the tissue to be ablated while the fluid delivery port 427 and the suction port 432 are positioned at a site away from the ablation zone. Thereafter, at step 466, an ablative agent (such as steam) is delivered through a first lumen, via infusion ports 415, to the target tissue to be ablated while simultaneously a fluid is delivered through a second lumen, via fluid delivery port 427, at the site away from the tissue being ablated such that the delivery of the fluid does not significantly interfere with the delivery of the ablative agent. In accordance with some embodiments, the fluid is delivered at a temperature ranging from 0 to 60° C. Also, simultaneously, the delivered fluid is suctioned out through the suction port 432 and third lumen 430 from the site away from the tissue being ablated such that the suction of the fluid does not result in suction of the delivered ablative agent. In accordance with alternative embodiments, at step 468, the fluid is alternatingly delivered and suctioned, respectively, through the fluid delivery port 427 and second lumen 425. In another embodiment, at step 469, the fluid is allowed to passively escape out through suction port 432.
In one embodiment, the first positioning balloon 410 is inside the second positioning balloon 412 and the vapor delivery ports 415 reside within the first positioning balloon 410 while the cooling fluid delivery ports 427 and cooling fluid suction ports 432 reside in the second positioning balloon 412.
In various embodiments, the first and third time periods 570, 580 range from 1 to 1800 seconds while the second and fourth time periods 572, 582 range from 0 to 1800 seconds. Also, in various embodiments, the base temperature 575, 585 ranges from 37 to 45 degree C. while the first and second temperatures 576, 586 range from 60 to 110 degrees C.
Thus, in accordance with an aspect, a coolant, such as water, circulates within the outer lumen of the elongate body and is then fed into a heating chamber for conversion to vapor—as described with reference to
Referring now to
In various embodiments, the connectors described in the present specification are composed of thermoplastics including ABS, acetal, nylon (polyamide), and polyetheretherketone (PEEK), and fluoropolymers including polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF). In various embodiments, the O-rings are composed of fluorocarbon (FKM) or silicone.
Heating Chambers
Referring now to
In embodiments, the outer covering 1332 and the inner core 1334 are comprised of silicone, Teflon, ceramic or any other suitable thermoplastic elastomer known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The inner core 1334, outer covering 1332, electrodes 1336, 1338 (including rings 1342, 1344 and fins or elements 1336′, 1338′) are all flexible to allow for bending of the distal portion or tip of the catheter to provide better positioning of the catheter during ablation procedures. In embodiments, the inner core 1334 stabilizes the electrodes 1336, 1338 and maintains the separation or spacing 1340 between the electrodes 1336, 1338 while the tip of the catheter flexes or bends during use.
As shown in
In accordance with an aspect of the present specification, multiple heating chambers 1330 can be arranged in the catheter tip.
Referring now to
A standard circular or rectangular electrode positioned in the catheter tip may have dimensions that prevent effective bending of the catheter tip. Specifically, electrodes are printed on to Kapton and then rolled into a cylinder, thereby making them rigid. Embodiments of the catheter tip in accordance with the present specification have a bend radius in a range of 3 to 0.15 inches, and preferably within a range of 1 to 0.5 inches. There is a need for another design of the electrodes so as to incorporate electrode lengths that are greater than the bend radius.
Due to the bend radius at the tip, the size of the electrodes becomes significant. The electrodes need to be less than or equal to 2.5 inches, preferably less than or equal to 1 inch, in order to allow for the needed bend radius. In one embodiment, the bend radius of the guide sheath is 180 degrees around a 1 inch radius. In one embodiment, the maximum length of a continuous electrode is equal to the bend radius.
For an optimal positioning of the electrode, a primary requirement is that the electrode is positioned proximal to the output of the hot fluid channel into the inner balloon. At the same time, it is desirable that the electrode is not too proximal, because steam quality (the amount of condensed water in the steam) decreases. In some embodiments, electrode is positioned within the inner balloon. In some embodiments, the electrode is positioned a distance in a range of 0 mm to 500 mm proximal to the output of the hot fluid channel into the inner balloon. In some embodiments, the electrode is positioned a distance in a range of 1 mm to 150 mm proximal to the output of the hot fluid channel into the inner balloon.
In some embodiments, the electrode is made of a plurality of segments which are electrically connected to each other and housed in a flexible section of a catheter body with a desired bend radius wherein the length of each segment of the electrode is less than four times the bend radius of the catheter, thereby providing sufficient length coverage.
Additionally, in some embodiments the electrodes are manufactured using Nitinol-based material, thereby ensuring that the mounting process is simple.
In another embodiment, the electrodes are configured as a flattened structure. The flattened electrode configuration comprises an elongated linear member having a first side and an opposing second side that are both planar. The flattened electrode configuration may comprise a bipolar array defined by a plurality of printed or deposited electrode fins. Saline is configured to flow equally over the top and bottom surfaces of the flattened electrode configuration. In embodiments, the catheter lumen that houses the flattened electrode configuration has an elliptical geometry that centers the electrode configuration within the larger radius of the elliptical lumen in order to ensure consistent steam quality on both sides of the electrode configuration.
During vapor generation, a signal can be sensed to determine if the fluid has fully developed into vapor before exiting the distal end of the heating chamber. In some embodiments, the signal is sensed by a controller. Sensing whether the vapor is fully developed can be particularly useful for many surgical applications, such as in the ablation of various tissues, where delivering high quality fully developed vapor results in more effective treatment. In some embodiments, the heating chamber includes at least one sensor 1337. In various embodiments, said at least one sensor 1337 comprises an impedance, temperature, pressure or flow sensor. In one embodiment, the electrical impedance of the electrode arrays 1336, 1338 can be sensed. In other embodiments, the temperature of the fluid, temperature of the electrode arrays, fluid flow rate, pressure, or similar parameters can be sensed.
It should be appreciated that any ablation catheter or system of the present specification, used to ablate tissue in an organ, may be used with a controller, wherein the controller is configured to limit a pressure generated by ablation fluid, such as steam/vapor, within the organ to less than 5 atm or 100 psi.
Cardiac Ablation Catheters and Methods
In various embodiments, cardiac ablation catheters, having one or more inflatable balloons, are disclosed. In various embodiments, as detailed in Table 1 below, the one or more balloons are of the following types and specifications:
Following are some definitions with reference to balloon types and specifications:
Balloon Diameter—refers to nominal inflated balloon diameter measured at a specified pressure.
Balloon Length—typically refers to the working length or the length of the straight body section.
Burst Pressure—refers to an average pressure required to rupture a balloon; usually measured at body temperature.
Rated Burst Pressure—refers to a maximum statistically guaranteed pressure to which a balloon can be inflated without failing. For PTCA and PTA catheters, this is normally 95% confidence/99.9% guarantee.
Balloon Profile—refers to the maximum diameter of the balloon when mounted on a catheter in its deflated and wrapped condition or the smallest hole through which the deflated wrapped balloon catheter can pass.
Balloon Compliance—refers to change in balloon diameter as a function of inflation pressure.
In various embodiments, when inflated, the one or more balloons may have a shape such as, but not limited to, conical, square, spherical, elliptical, conical-square, long conical-square, conical-spherical, long spherical, tapered, dog bone, stepped, offset and conical-offset.
Again, in various embodiments, an end (distal and/or proximal) of the one or more balloons may have a shape such as, but not limited to, conical sharp corner, conical radius corner, square end, spherical end and offset neck.
Table 2 provides a comparison of a plurality of balloons made with various materials:
Material of the balloon is an important factor. If the softening temperature (Tg) of a balloon's material is too low, the balloon may deform during use when exposed to steam. For example, the Tg of PET is 75° C. This means that after just one use, the PET balloon may deform and may not be useable for conducting additional ablation shots of a given PV or of other PVs in the patient. Therefore, it is desirable to use a material that has a Tg greater than 100° C. to be functional. In embodiments, there are two balloons, where each balloon has a different Tg value. In embodiments, the Tg value of each balloon is within a range of 60° C. to about 200° C. In some embodiments, the Tg is 80° C. In some embodiments, the Tg is 150° C. In some embodiments, the outer balloon is composed of Pellethane®.
It is also desirable to use a material that has a sufficiently wide elasticity range at various operating temperatures. If the elasticity range is too low, the yield point is passed during operation and the balloon deforms such that the ablation zone may not be properly positioned during operation.
In embodiments, material of the inner balloon is non-compliant to semi-compliant, implying that the material eliminates any folds that may have been present during packaging, and conforms to atrial anatomy for better contact. A compliant balloon is likely to have a fixed volume at a fixed pressure. It is desirable that material of the inner balloon is more rigid than that of the outer balloon, so as to maintain a certain shape. Some of the semi-compliant balloon materials, for example PEBA families, face mechanical and thermal challenges when introduced to steam. Therefore, a preferred balloon material is a copolymer called Amitel. Arnitel is also relatively semi-compliant but has higher softening and melt temperatures versus standard PEBA polymers. Materials such as Arnitel may be used to make the inner balloon, outer balloon, and shaft applications, in accordance with the embodiments of the present specification. An advantage of using it as a shaft material is that it is thermally bondable with inner balloons currently made using PET, thereby eliminating the need to use an adhesive bonding process.
Ablation catheter needs to be sheathed and unsheathed, particularly if the ablation catheter is only 1 fr or less than the guide sheath. In some embodiments, a hydrophilic coating on the ablation catheter is used to enable easy sheathing. Coating also enables efficient energy transfer to and protects the outer balloon surface from charring. In embodiments, the balloons are pleated in a specific direction, such as in the rightward direction, to allow for easy sheathing/re-sheathing.
In some embodiments, the guide sheath is braided and is of a higher durometer than the ablation catheter. Guide wires are typically positioned in the catheter or outer catheter sheath lining to help bend the sides. A distal opening of the guide sheath is positioned normal to the ostium (opening) of the pulmonary vein. In some embodiments, two guide sheaths are provided, where the two guide sheaths are of two different radii and of different deflection characteristics. In an embodiment, one pull wire for the first sheath creates a radius in a range of 0.1 inches to 0.75 inches. In an embodiment, a second pull wire to the second sheath creates a radius in a range of 0.5 inches to 10 inches. In some embodiments, catheter deflection is performed via a handle actuator. Each pull wire is attached to a knob or lever in the handle. A user would twist the knob or pull the lever to apply tension to the tip and deflect. The radius is determined by the catheter construction. In embodiments, each half of the catheter has a separate and unique construction, allowing for the two unique radii.
In some embodiments, an entire surface of the catheter 1442 is coated with heparin.
A mapping member 1446, which may be a radial extension, catheter, or any substrate comprising a plurality of sensors, detectors, or electrodes, is attached to the distal end of the inner shaft 1443 distal to the balloon 1445. The mapping member 1446 maps the area of cardiac tissue responsible for the arrhythmia. In some embodiments, the mapping member 1446 comprises an extension of the catheter and has a length of up to 75 mm. In some embodiments, the mapping member is pre-shaped in a loop shape perpendicular to the catheter body axis. In some embodiments, the mapping member 1446 is pre-shaped in a pig-tail shape to allow wall contact. In embodiments, the diameter of the pigtail or the loop is between 5 mm and 25 mm. In some embodiments, the mapping member 1446 comprises 1 to 8 electrodes configured to record signals from a pulmonary vein or pacing in a pulmonary vein.
The distal end of the outer shaft 1444 ends a distance proximal to the balloon 1445 such that a portion of the inner shaft 1443 between the balloon 1445 and outer shaft 1444 is exposed. Water 1447 can be pumped from a sterile water reservoir 1431, via a second pump 1432, through a first water lumen 1435 in the outer shaft 1444, where it exits proximal to the balloon 1445 for cooling a space proximal to the balloon 1445. Water 1437 can also be pumped from the sterile water reservoir 1431, via the second pump 1432, through a second water lumen 1436 in the inner shaft 1443, where it exits distal to the balloon 1445 and proximal to the mapping member 1446 for cooling a space distal to the balloon 1445. The first water lumen 1435 extends within the outer shaft 1444 from the second pump 1432 to the distal end of the outer shaft 1444. The second water lumen 1436 extends within the inner shaft 1443 from the second pump 1432 to the distal end of the inner shaft 1443. The controller 1430 is in data communication with, and controls, the second pump 1432, wherein the second pump 1432 is configured to pass water 1447, 1437 from the sterile water reservoir 1431 into the first water lumen 1435 and/or second water lumen 1436 of the outer shaft 1444 and inner shaft 1443, respectively. The balloon 1445 includes an ablation or hot zone 1448 proximate its equator and a first cold zone in its top hemisphere 1449, cooled by water 1437 pumped through the inner shaft 1443, and a second cold zone in its bottom hemisphere 1450, cooled by water 1447 pumped through the outer shaft 1444. The temperature of the ablation or hot zone 1448 is typically between 60-110° C. and the temperature of the cold zones 1449, 1450 is typically between 35-60° C., with the temperature of the cold zones 1449, 1450 decreasing as the cold zones 1449, 1450 extend away from the hot zone 1448. The equatorial hot zone 1448 remains heated by vapor used to heat the inside of the balloon 1445 and is distant enough from the water 1437, 1447 pumped through the inner shaft 1443 and outer shaft 1444 such that it does not become cooled.
Referring to
The balloon 1464 includes a plurality of optional mapping electrodes 1466 within or attached to the outer surface of its walls. In embodiments, the mapping electrodes 1466 are either glued metal electrodes or printed electrodes, within or attached to the outer surface of its walls in the middle of its length axis circularly configured to record cardiac signals to map areas of cardiac tissue responsible for an arrhythmia. In some embodiments, the mapping balloon 1464 includes up to 24 mapping electrodes.
The vapor lumen 1463 is in fluid communication with an ablation balloon 1465 attached to the distal end of the catheter 1460 and positioned within the balloon 1464. Once both balloons 1464, 1465 are inflated, a length of the balloon 1464 is greater than a length of the ablation balloon 1465 and a diameter of the ablation balloon 1465 approximates a diameter of the balloon 1464.
In some embodiments, an entire surface of the catheter 1460 is coated with heparin. In some embodiments, the ablation balloon 1465 is movable along a longitudinal axis of the balloons 1464, 1465 within and along an entire length of the balloon 1464, to better position the ablation balloon inside the balloon 1464, using a wire mechanism in a handle at the proximal end of the catheter 1460.
In embodiments, at least one dimension of the ablation balloon 1465 is different than the balloon 1466 by at least 10%. In some embodiments, the dimension is a length of the ablation balloon 1465. In embodiments, a shape of the ablation balloon 1465 is different from that of the balloon 1466. In embodiments, an intersection of the shapes of the ablation balloon 1465 and the balloon 1466 determine the shape and/or size of an ablation zone 1467.
During use, the balloon 1464 is inflated with water or air or CO2 and the ablation balloon 1466 is inflated with vapor such that the ablation balloon 1465 comes into contact with the balloon 1464 and the balloon 1464 comes into contact with the target cardiac tissue proximate the equators of both balloons 1464, 1465. This creates a hot zone or ablation zone 1467 proximate the equator of the balloon 1464. Cold zones 1471 are located on the balloon 1464 where the inflated ablation balloon 1465 is not in contact with the inflated balloon 1464. Heat is transferred from inside the ablation balloon 1465 through the balloon 1464 and into the cardiac tissue to ablate the tissue and treat the arrhythmia.
The balloon 1484 includes a plurality of optional mapping electrodes 1486 within or attached to the outer surface of its walls. In embodiments, the mapping electrodes 1486 are either glued metal electrodes or printed electrodes, within or attached to the outer surface of its walls in the middle of its length axis circularly configured to record cardiac signals to map areas of cardiac tissue responsible for an arrhythmia. In some embodiments, the balloon 1484 includes up to 24 mapping electrodes.
The vapor lumen 1483 is in fluid communication with an ablation balloon 1485 attached to the distal end of the catheter 1480, positioned within the balloon 1484 and freely movable co-axially along a longitudinal axis within and along an entire length of the balloon 1484 to be positioned at a plurality of positions along a longitudinal axis 1488. In some embodiments, catheter 1480 includes a wire mechanism 1459 operable by a user at a handle of the catheter 1480 for moving the ablation balloon 1485 within the balloon 1484. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the catheter 1480 illustrates the ablation balloon 1485 being moved from a first position 1489a to a second position 1489b along the longitudinal axis 1488.
In some embodiments, an entire surface of the catheter 1480 is coated with heparin.
In embodiments, at least one dimension of the ablation balloon 1485 is different than the balloon 1484 by at least 10%. In some embodiments, the dimension is a length of the ablation balloon 1485. In embodiments, a shape of the ablation balloon 1485 is different from that of the balloon 1484. In embodiments, an intersection of the shapes of the ablation balloon 1485 and the balloon 1484 determine the shape and/or size of an ablation zone 1487a. Once both balloons 1484, 1485 are inflated, a length (along the longitudinal axis 1488) of the balloon 1484 is greater than a length (along the longitudinal axis 1488) of the ablation balloon 1485 and a diameter of the ablation balloon 1485 approximates a diameter of the balloon 1484. During use, the balloon 1484 is inflated with CO2 or air and the ablation balloon 1485 is inflated with vapor and placed at the first position 1489a (within the balloon 1484) such that the ablation balloon 1485 comes into contact with the balloon 1484 and the balloon 1484 comes into contact with the target cardiac tissue proximate the first position 1489a in a heart 1401 proximate a pulmonary vein 1402. This creates a hot zone or ablation zone 1487a proximate the first position 1489a. Heat is transferred from inside the ablation balloon 1485 through the balloon 1484 and into the cardiac tissue to ablate the tissue at the first position 1489a. The ablation balloon 1485 is thereafter moved to the second position 1489b (within the balloon 1484) such that the ablation balloon contacts the balloon 1484 and the balloon 1484 comes into contact with the target cardiac tissue proximate the second position 1489b within the pulmonary vein 1402. This creates a hot zone or ablation zone 1487b proximate the second position 1489b. Heat is now transferred from inside the ablation balloon 1485 through the balloon 1484 and into the cardiac tissue to ablate the tissue at the second position 1489b. Cold zones 1490 are located on the balloon 1484 where the inflated ablation balloon 1485 is not in contact with the inflated balloon 1484. It should be appreciated that the balloon 1484 and the ablation balloon 1485 may have to be inflated differentially at the first and second positions 1489a, 1489b in order to conform to the space (associated with the first and second positions 1489a, 1489b) within the pulmonary vein 1402.
In accordance with an aspect, the balloon 1484 is more flexible (compared to the ablation balloon 1485) and can free-form or conform to fit the shape of anatomical structure, such as the lumen of the pulmonary vein 1402, in order to create a contact sufficient for electrical contact between the electrodes 1486 and cardiac tissue. The ablation balloon 1485 is more firm and is meant to apply firm contact at the points (such as those corresponding to the first and second positions 1489a, 1489b) of its axial contact with the target tissue for ideal delivery of thermal energy to the target cardiac tissue.
The outer balloon 1496 may include a plurality of optional mapping electrodes within or attached to the outer surface of its walls. The mapping electrodes map the area of cardiac tissue responsible for an arrhythmia. In embodiments, the mapping electrodes are either glued metal electrodes or printed electrodes, within or attached to the outer surface of its walls in the middle of its length axis circularly configured to record cardiac signals to map areas of cardiac tissue responsible for an arrhythmia. In some embodiments, the outer balloon 1496 includes up to 24 mapping electrodes.
The water/vapor lumen 1493 is in fluid communication with an ablation balloon 1497 attached to the distal end of the catheter 1400 and positioned within the outer balloon 1496. A plurality of infusion ports 1499 are included in a portion of the distal end wherein the ablation balloon 1497 is attached.
In some embodiments, an entire surface of the catheter 1400 is coated with heparin. In some embodiments, the ablation balloon 1497 is movable along a longitudinal axis of the balloons 1496, 1497 within and along an entire length of the outer balloon 1496, to better position the inner ablation balloon inside the outer balloon, using a wire mechanism in a handle at the proximal end of the catheter 1400.
In embodiments, at least one dimension of the inner ablation balloon 1497 is different than the outer balloon 1496 by at least 10%. In some embodiments, the dimension is a length of the ablation balloon 1497. In embodiments, a shape of the ablation balloon 1497 is different from that of the outer balloon 1496. In embodiments, an intersection of the shapes of the ablation balloon 1497 and the outer balloon 1496 determine the shape and/or size of an ablation zone 1417.
In some embodiments, a mapping member 1499m, which may be a distal extension, catheter, or any substrate comprising a plurality of sensors, detectors, or electrodes, is attached to the distal end of the body 1491 distal to the outer balloon 1496. The mapping member 1499m maps the area of cardiac tissue responsible for the arrhythmia. In some embodiments, the mapping member 1499m has a length of up to 75 mm. In some embodiments, the mapping member 1499m is pre-shaped in a pig-tail shape to allow wall contact. In embodiments, the diameter of the pigtail is between 5 mm and 25 mm. In some embodiments, the mapping member 1499m comprises 1 to 8 electrodes configured to record signals from a pulmonary vein or pacing in a pulmonary vein. In some embodiments, the mapping member is a separate catheter that can be inserted or withdrawn through a lumen in the catheter 1400.
Once both balloons 1496, 1497 are inflated, a length of the outer balloon 1496 is greater than a length of the inner ablation balloon 1497 and a diameter of the ablation balloon 1497 approximates a diameter of the outer balloon 1496. The catheter 1400 also includes at least one flexible heating chamber 1330 (described with reference to
During use, the air pump 1494 supplies air or CO2 or another cooling/insulating fluid via the air lumen 1492 causing the outer balloon 1496 to inflate, the water pump 1495 supplies water/saline to a proximal end of the heating chambers 1330 via water/vapor lumen 1493 while the RF generator 1498 supplies electrical current to the electrodes, causing them to heat up and vaporize water/saline flowing through the heating chambers 1330. The generated vapor exits through infusion ports 1499, thereby inflating the inner ablation balloon 1497 such that the ablation balloon 1497 comes into contact with the outer balloon 1496 and the outer balloon 1496 comes into contact with the target cardiac tissue proximate the equators of both balloons 1496, 1497. This creates a hot zone or ablation zone 1417 proximate the equator of the outer balloon 1496. Cold zones 1418 are located on the outer balloon 1496 where the inflated ablation balloon 1497 is not in contact with the inflated outer balloon 1496. Heat is transferred from inside the inner ablation balloon 1497 through the outer balloon 1496 at the hot zone 1417 and into the cardiac tissue to ablate the tissue and treat the arrhythmia. The flexible heating chambers 1330 impart improved flexibility and maneuverability to the catheter 1400, allowing a physician to better position the catheter 1400 when performing cardiac ablation procedures, such as ablating an arrhythmia focus in a heart of a patient.
It should be appreciated that the shape and size of the distal attachment is varied in various embodiments to adapt to a specific anatomy to be treated by ablation. For example,
In some embodiments, an entire surface of the catheter 1615 is coated with heparin.
In embodiments, at least one dimension of the inner balloon 1622 is different than the outer balloon 1624 by at least 10%. In some embodiments, the dimension is a length of the inner balloon 1622. In embodiments, a shape of the inner balloon 1622 is different from that of the outer balloon 1624. In embodiments, an intersection of the shapes of the inner balloon 1622 and the outer balloon 1624 determine the shape and/or size of an ablation zone.
During use, the outer balloon 1624 is inflated with saline 1607 (or air/water alternatively) to enable the outer balloon 1624 to contact an area of ablation comprising target tissue to be ablated. Vapor 1608 is passed into the inner balloon 1622 to inflate the inner balloon 1622 to contact the outer balloon 1624 proximate the area of ablation. In various embodiments, the area of contact between the inner balloon 1622 and the external balloon 1624 is between 5% and 95% and lies at a distal end or tip of the outer balloon 1624.
In embodiments, the inner balloon 1622 is movable within the outer balloon 1624 and therefore contacts the outer balloon 1624 at different circumferential areas. In some embodiments, the inner balloon 1622 is movable along a longitudinal axis of the balloons 1622, 1624 within and along an entire length of the outer balloon 1624, to better position the inner balloon inside the outer balloon, using a wire mechanism in the handle 1604. A hot zone is created at the area of contact between the inner balloon 1622 and the outer balloon 1624, such that thermal energy from the inner balloon 1622 passes through the outer balloon 1624 to the area of ablation proximate the distal end or tip of the outer balloon 1624. The elongate body 1602 and portions of the outer balloon 1624, excluding the hot zone, remain cool owing to the circulating air or CO2 or another cooling/insulating fluid 1607.
In various embodiments, the catheter 1620 includes a plurality of sensors, such as an electrical sensor, at the distal end of the catheter 1620, to measure tissue impedance for mapping the target tissue and monitor electrical activity during and after the ablation process to document complete ablation of the target tissue, a pressure sensor to measure pressure in the vapor lumen 1606 and shut down vapor delivery once a predefined critical pressure is reached, and a temperature sensor to monitor tissue temperature to guide the ablation.
In some embodiments, a mapping member, which may be a distal extension, catheter, or any substrate comprising a plurality of sensors, detectors, or electrodes, is attached to the distal end of the catheter distal to the outer balloon 1624. The mapping member maps the area of cardiac tissue responsible for the arrhythmia. In some embodiments, the mapping member has a length of up to 75 mm. In some embodiments, the mapping member is pre-shaped in a pig-tail shape to allow wall contact. In embodiments, the diameter of the pigtail is between 5 mm and 25 mm. In some embodiments, the mapping member comprises 1 to 8 electrodes configured to record signals from a pulmonary vein or pacing in a pulmonary vein.
In some embodiments, the outer balloon 1624 includes a plurality of mapping electrodes, either glued metal electrodes or printed electrodes, within or attached to the outer surface of its walls in the middle of its length axis circularly configured to record cardiac signals to map areas of cardiac tissue responsible for an arrhythmia. In some embodiments, the outer balloon 1624 includes up to 24 mapping electrodes.
It should be noted that in various embodiments, saline, air, CO2 or another cooling/insulating fluid 1607 enters the saline lumen 1609 at the proximal end of the catheter and exits from the proximal end of the catheter after circulating through the outer balloon 1624. In some embodiments, the cooling/insulating fluid 1607 enters and exits the saline lumen 1609 through the same opening. In other embodiments, the cooling/insulating fluid 1607 enters the saline lumen 1609 via first opening and exits the saline lumen through a second, separate opening different from the first opening.
In some embodiments, an entire surface of the catheter 1701 is coated with heparin.
In some embodiments, the inner balloon 1706 is movable along a longitudinal axis of the balloons 1705, 1706 within and along an entire length of the outer balloon 1705, to better position the inner balloon inside the outer balloon, using a wire mechanism in a handle at the proximal end of the catheter 1701. In some embodiments, pressure is applied to the outer balloon using a steerable outer sheath to press the outer balloon against the cardiac tissue to be ablated, changing a size, a shape or a dimension of the intersection between the two balloons, in turn changing a size, a shape or a dimension of the ablation zone.
In embodiments, at least one dimension of the inner balloon 1706 is different than the outer balloon 1705 by at least 10%. In some embodiments, the dimension is a length of the inner balloon 1706. In embodiments, a shape of the inner balloon 1706 is different from that of the outer balloon 1705. In embodiments, an intersection of the shapes of the inner balloon 1706 and the outer balloon 1705 determine the shape and/or size of an ablation zone.
In some embodiments, a mapping member, which may be a distal extension, catheter, or any substrate comprising a plurality of sensors, detectors, or electrodes, is attached to the distal end of the catheter 1701 distal to the outer balloon 1705. The mapping member maps the area of cardiac tissue responsible for the arrhythmia. In some embodiments, the mapping member has a length of up to 50 mm. In some embodiments, the mapping member is pre-shaped in a pig-tail shape to allow wall contact. In embodiments, the diameter of the pigtail is between 5 mm and 25 mm. In some embodiments, the mapping member comprises 1 to 8 electrodes configured to record signals from a pulmonary vein or pacing in a pulmonary vein.
In some embodiments, the outer balloon 1705 includes a plurality of mapping electrodes, either glued metal electrodes or printed electrodes, within or attached to the outer surface of its walls in the middle of its length axis circularly configured to record cardiac signals to map areas of cardiac tissue responsible for an arrhythmia. In some embodiments, the outer balloon 1705 includes up to 24 mapping electrodes.
The vapor lumen is in fluid communication with an inflatable inner balloon 1816 attached to the distal end of the catheter 1810 and positioned within the outer balloon 1815. The vapor lumen extends from the inner balloon 1816 to a water/vapor pump which is also in data communication with, and controlled by, the controller. Water is pumped from a sterile water reservoir via the water/vapor pump through the water/vapor lumen. In some embodiments, the inner balloon 1816 is movable along a longitudinal axis of the balloons 1815, 1816 within and along an entire length of the outer balloon 1815, to better position the inner balloon inside the outer balloon, using a wire mechanism in a handle at the proximal end of the catheter 1810. For example,
In some embodiments, at least one flexible heating chamber 1820 (such as those described with reference to
In embodiments, at least one dimension of the inner balloon 1816 is different than the outer balloon 1815 by at least 10%. In some embodiments, the dimension is a length of the inner balloon 1816. In some embodiments, once both balloons 1815, 1816 are inflated, a length of the outer balloon 1815 is greater than a length of the inner balloon 1816 and a diameter of the inner balloon 1816 approximates a diameter of the outer balloon 1815. In various embodiments, the outer and inner balloons 1815, 1816 have any one of a spherical, conical, elliptical, square or stepped shape when inflated. In embodiments, a shape of the inner balloon 1816 is different from that of the outer balloon 1815. In embodiments, an intersection of the shapes of the inner balloon 1816 and the outer balloon 1815 determine the shape and/or size of an ablation zone 1809, defined as an area of contact of the two balloons 1815, 1816.
In some embodiments, a mapping member 1818, which may be a distal extension, catheter, or any substrate comprising a plurality of sensors, detectors, or electrodes, is attached to the distal end of the body 1812 distal to the outer balloon 1815. The mapping member 1818 maps the area of cardiac tissue responsible for the arrhythmia. In some embodiments, the mapping member 1818 has a length of up to 50 mm. In some embodiments, the mapping member 1818 is pre-shaped in a pig-tail shape to allow wall contact. In embodiments, the diameter of the pigtail is between 5 mm and 25 mm. In some embodiments, the mapping member 1818 comprises 1 to 8 electrodes configured to record signals from a pulmonary vein or pacing in a pulmonary vein.
In some embodiments, the outer balloon 1815 includes a plurality of mapping electrodes, either glued metal electrodes or printed electrodes, within or attached to the outer surface of its walls in the middle of its length axis circularly configured to record cardiac signals to map areas of cardiac tissue responsible for an arrhythmia. In some embodiments, the outer balloon 1815 includes up to 24 mapping electrodes. In embodiments, the mapping electrodes measure cardiac electrical activity to assess at least one therapeutic endpoint.
In some embodiments, an entire surface of the catheter 1810, including the balloons 1815, 1816, mapping electrodes and the mapping member 1818, is coated with heparin.
The non-contact areas or cold zones 1850, between the inner and outer balloon, are filled with air or CO2 1835 which acts as an insulator. In some embodiments, the distal and proximal cold zones 1850 are linked through a channel to equilibrate the pressure. In one embodiment, the channel is a lumen in the catheter or integrated into an outside surface of the inner balloon, thereby fluidly connecting the distal cold zone 1850 and proximal cold zone 1850. Optionally, the air or CO2 1835 in the outer balloon 1815 is circulated out the catheter 1810 to actively cool the outer balloon 1815 or move the heated air in the outer balloon 1815 out through the catheter 1810, preventing inadvertent injury to the cardiac tissue in proximity to the non-contact surface of the outer balloon 1815. The thermal energy is delivered for a desired duration following which the outer balloon 1815 is deflated and the inner balloon 1816 self deflates due to condensation of vapor. The catheter 1810 is removed and, as shown in
In some embodiments, the outer balloon 1815 includes a thermocouple in a predetermined area to detect contact of the inner balloon 1816 with the outer balloon 1815. In some embodiments, the outer balloon 1815 includes a thermocouple in a predetermined area to monitor delivery of thermal energy to the target cardiac tissue. In some embodiments, the outer balloon 1815 includes a thermocouple outside a predetermined area of the outer balloon 1815 to measure the temperature in the outer balloon 1815 and keep the temperature away from the predetermined area (hot zone) at less than 60 degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, the inner balloon 1816 includes a pressure sensor to measure pressure inside the inner balloon 1816. In some embodiments, the inner balloon comprises a temperature sensor to monitor proper steam production. In various embodiments, the inner and outer balloons are connected to a pressure valve to maintain a constant pressure within the inner and the outer balloon.
At step 1845, the inner balloon, at full expansion, contacts with a predetermined area (also referred to as a hot zone or an ablation zone) of the outer balloon, transmitting thermal energy from inside of the inner balloon through the outer balloon into the surrounding cardiac tissue which is in contact with the predetermined area of the outer balloon, to cause thermal injury to the cardiac tissue in a circumferential pattern. Optionally, at least one electrode on an outer surface of the outer balloon contacts a cardiac tissue to measure cardiac electrical activity to assess one of a plurality of therapeutic endpoints. Optionally, a thermocouple, positioned in a predetermined area of the outer balloon, is used to detect contact of the inner balloon with the outer balloon. Optionally, a thermocouple, positioned in a predetermined area of the outer balloon, is used to monitor delivery of thermal energy to the cardiac tissue.
Optionally, at step 1846, air or CO2 is circulated into and out of the outer balloon to cool the air inside the outer balloon to maintain a temperature of a portion of the outer balloon below 60 degrees Celsius. Optionally, a thermocouple, positioned at a predetermined area of the outer balloon, is used to measure the temperature in the outer balloon and keep the temperature away from the predetermined area below 60 degrees Celsius.
At step 1847, delivery of vapor to the inner balloon is stopped after a predetermined time, allowing the internal balloon to deflate, thereby removing the contact area between the inner balloon and the outer balloon and stopping the delivery of thermal energy from the inside of the inner balloon through the outer balloon into the surrounding cardiac tissue. Optionally, additional suction is applied to the inner balloon to further deflate the balloon. Deflation of the inner balloon will result in a decrease in pressure in the outer balloon which may in turn break the seal between the outer balloon and the pulmonary vein, allowing for the blood to start flowing across the ablated cardiac tissue, further cooling the cardiac tissue. Automated pressure control of the fluid in the outer balloon in connection with a fluid in a pump at the controller level may counteract this deflation.
At step 1848, the outer balloon is deflated by suctioning out air and the catheter is removed after the ablation is complete or the therapeutic objective is met. In some embodiments, the inner balloon self deflates, following deflation of the outer balloon, due to condensation of vapor. Optionally, the pulmonary vein is electrically paced, prior to removing the catheter at step 1848, to check whether a therapeutic objective has been met.
In some embodiments, an entire surface of the catheter 1902 is coated with heparin.
In some embodiments, the inner balloon 1904 is movable along a longitudinal axis of the balloons 1903, 1904 within and along an entire length of the outer balloon 1903, to better position the inner balloon inside the outer balloon, using a wire mechanism in the handle 1907 at the proximal end of the catheter 1902.
In embodiments, at least one dimension of the inner balloon 1904 is different than the outer balloon 1903 by at least 10%. In some embodiments, the dimension is a length of the inner balloon 1904. In embodiments, a shape of the inner balloon 1904 is different from that of the outer balloon 1903. In embodiments, an intersection of the shapes of the inner balloon 1904 and the outer balloon 1903 determine the shape and/or size of an ablation zone 1909.
In some embodiments, a mapping member 1952, which may be a distal extension, catheter, or any substrate comprising a plurality of sensors, detectors, or electrodes, is attached to the distal end of the catheter 1902 distal to the outer balloon 1903. The mapping member 1952 maps the area of cardiac tissue responsible for the arrhythmia. In some embodiments, the mapping member 1952 has a length of up to 75 mm. In some embodiments, the mapping member 1952 is pre-shaped in a pig-tail shape to allow wall contact. In embodiments, the diameter of the pigtail is between 5 mm and 25 mm. In some embodiments, the mapping member 1952 comprises 1 to 8 electrodes configured to record signals from a pulmonary vein or pacing in a pulmonary vein. In another embodiment, the mapping member 1952 comprises up to 64 electrodes.
In some embodiments, the outer balloon 1903 includes a plurality of mapping electrodes, either glued metal electrodes or printed electrodes, within or attached to the outer surface of its walls in the middle of its length axis circularly configured to record cardiac signals to map areas of cardiac tissue responsible for an arrhythmia. In some embodiments, the outer balloon 1903 includes up to 24 mapping electrodes. In other embodiments, the outer balloon 1903 includes up to 64 mapping electrodes.
During operation, water vapor/steam at a temperature of around 100˜125 degrees C. is input from a luer connector 1910 and carried via the catheter 1902 to the inner balloon 1904. This allows the inner balloon 1904 to inflate and contact the outer balloon 1903 proximate the area of ablation. The ablation zone or hot zone 1909 is created at the area of contact between the inner balloon 1904 and the external balloon 1903, such that thermal energy from the inner balloon 1904 passes through the outer balloon 1903 to the area of ablation. The elongate body and portions of the outer balloon 1903, excluding the hot zone 1909, remain cool owing to the circulating water. In some embodiments, saline is input from a luer connector 1910 and carried via the catheter 1902 to an inline heating member 1999 at the distal end of the catheter proximate the outer balloon which generates water vapor/steam at a temperature of around 100˜125 degrees C. that is then delivered to the inner balloon 1904.
As noted above, channels are provided in the catheter 1902 for carrying cooling or insulating fluid and steam. Cooling or insulating fluid enters the catheter 1902 from a tube 1911 at the proximal end of the catheter and exits from another tube 1912 at the proximal end of the catheter after circulating through the outer balloon 1903. Luer connectors 1913 are provided to enable cooling fluid to be supplied to and exit from the tubes 1911 and 1912, respectively. In one embodiment, the luer connector 1910 at the inlet of water vapor is a pressure resistant luer lock. In one embodiment the cooling fluid is water. In another embodiment, the cooling fluid is air or CO2. In one embodiment the temperature of the cooling fluid is between 0 degree Celsius and 40 degree Celsius. In another embodiment, the cooling fluid is at room temperature.
In one embodiment, the length of the catheter 1902 between its distal end 1902a and proximal end 1902b is about 1800 mm, with a margin of ±500 mm. In one embodiment, the outer balloon 1902 is substantially cylindrical in shape, with tapering ends, while the inner balloon 1904 is substantially spherical in shape. In another embodiment, the outer balloon is pear shaped. In one embodiment, the total length of the outer balloon 1903 between its two ends is about 83 mm, while the length of the cylindrical portion is about 60 mm, with a margin of ±25 mm, and its width is about 24 mm with a margin of ±15 mm. In one embodiment, the diameter of the inner balloon 1904 is about 25 mm with a margin of ±15 mm. In another embodiment, the length of the outer balloon is 45 mm, with a margin of ±25 mm.
In one embodiment, the channels or lumens of the catheter 1902, shown in
In one embodiment, the grip 2204 of the luer lock 2200 has a width of about 7 mm and a diameter of about 11 mm.
Referring now to
In an embodiment, the elongate body 2312 also includes a central water/vapor lumen 2317 that is in fluid communication, via a plurality of vapor infusion ports 2368, with an inflatable inner balloon 2365 attached to the distal end of the catheter 2310 and positioned within the outer balloon 2360. In some embodiments, the plurality of vapor infusion ports 2368 are located along a portion of the water/vapor lumen 2317 that lies within the inner balloon 2365. The elongate body 2312 also includes third and fourth lumens 2370, 2371 (positioned diametrically opposite with respect to each other).
In some embodiments, the elongate body 2312 has a length of 1800 mm, an outer diameter of 2.9 mm and an inner diameter of 2.6 mm. In some embodiments, a thickness of a material (such as, but not limited to, PET) of the elongate body 2312 is 0.15 mm. In some embodiments, the central water/vapor lumen 2317 has an inner diameter of 0.9 mm.
In some embodiments, at least one flexible heating chamber (such as those described with reference to
Referring to
Referring to
In some embodiments, the inner balloon 2365 is movable along a portion of the elongate body 2312 within the outer balloon 2360 to better position the inner balloon within the outer balloon and ensure proper contact of the inner balloon with the outer balloon, using a wire mechanism in a handle at the proximal end of the catheter 2310.
In some embodiments, a mapping member, which may be a distal extension, catheter, or any substrate comprising a plurality of sensors, detectors, or electrodes, is attached to the distal end of the body 2312 distal to the outer balloon 2360. The mapping member maps the area of cardiac tissue responsible for the arrhythmia. In some embodiments, the mapping member has a length of up to 75 mm. In some embodiments, the mapping member is pre-shaped in a pig-tail shape or a lasso-loop shape to allow wall contact. In embodiments, the diameter of the pigtail is between 5 mm and 25 mm. In some embodiments, the mapping member comprises 1 to 8 electrodes configured to record signals from a pulmonary vein or pacing in a pulmonary vein.
In some embodiments, the outer balloon 2360 includes a plurality of mapping electrodes, either glued metal electrodes or printed electrodes, within or attached to the outer surface of its walls in the middle of its length axis circularly configured to record cardiac signals to map areas of cardiac tissue responsible for an arrhythmia. In some embodiments, the outer balloon 2360 includes up to 24 mapping electrodes. In embodiments, the mapping electrodes measure cardiac electrical activity to assess at least one therapeutic endpoint.
In some embodiments, an entire surface of the catheter 2310, including the balloons 2360, 2365, mapping electrodes and the mapping member, is coated with heparin.
In one embodiment, the elongate body 2412 includes an outer catheter 2415 having a lumen and an inner catheter 2416 having a water/vapor lumen 2417. The inner catheter 2416 is positioned within the lumen of the outer catheter 2415 so as to form a ring-like cooling fluid suction lumen 2422 between the two catheters 2415, 2416. The two catheters 2415, 2416 are coaxial, in accordance with an embodiment. The ring-like cooling fluid suction lumen 2422 accommodates first and second cooling fluid infusion tubes 2420.
The first and second cooling fluid infusion tubes 2420 and the ring-like cooling fluid suction lumen 2422 are in fluid communication with an inflatable outer balloon 2460 attached to the distal end of the catheter 2410. In embodiments, distal ends of the outer catheter 2415 and of the first and second cooling fluid infusion tubes 2420 lie or terminate at a proximal end of the outer balloon 2460 whereas a distal end of the inner catheter 2416 projects beyond a distal end of the outer balloon 2460. In embodiments, the cooling fluid is water, air or carbon-dioxide. During operation, the cooling fluid enters the first and second cooling fluid infusion tubes 2420 from the proximal end of the catheter and exits through the ring-like cooling fluid suction lumen 2422 from the proximal end of the catheter after circulating through the outer balloon 2460. The cooling fluid is circulated through the catheter 2410 and the outer balloon 2460 using a cooling fluid pump which is in data communication with, and controlled by, a controller.
The water/vapor lumen 2417 is in fluid communication, via a plurality of vapor infusion ports 2468, with an inflatable inner balloon 2465 attached to the distal end of the catheter 2410 and positioned within the outer balloon 2460. In some embodiments, the plurality of vapor infusion ports 2468 are located along a portion of the inner catheter 2416 lying within the inner balloon 2465.
As shown in transverse cross-sectional, longitudinal cross-sectional and perspective views of
In some embodiments, at least one flexible heating chamber (such as those described with reference to
Referring to a transverse view and various perspective views of
Referring to
In some embodiments, the inner balloon 2465 is movable along a portion of the inner catheter 2416 within the outer balloon 2460 to better position the inner balloon within the outer balloon and ensure proper contact of the inner balloon with the outer balloon, using a wire mechanism in a handle at the proximal end of the catheter 2410.
In an embodiment, the distal end of the elongate body 2412 has a bulbous tip 2470 which may have an oval or olive-shaped tip (olive-tip) to make the distal end relatively atraumatic to tissues when the catheter 2410 is introduced into a body lumen.
In an embodiment, a total length of the oval or olive tip 2470 is 5 mm. In an embodiment, the proximal substantially cylindrical portion 2472 has an outer diameter of 1.8 mm and a length of 2 mm. In an embodiment, the opening 2476 has a diameter of 1.3 mm and the cylindrical pathway 2477 has a length of 3.5 mm. In an embodiment, the substantially oval or olive distal portion 2474 has a width of 2.5 mm and a radius of 1.3 mm.
In some embodiments, a mapping member, which may be a distal extension, catheter, or any substrate comprising a plurality of sensors, detectors, or electrodes, is attached to the distal end of the body 2412 distal to the outer balloon 2460. The mapping member maps the area of cardiac tissue responsible for the arrhythmia. In some embodiments, the mapping member has a length of up to 75 mm. In some embodiments, the mapping member is pre-shaped in a pig-tail shape or a lasso-loop shape to allow wall contact. In embodiments, the diameter of the pigtail is between 5 mm and 25 mm. In some embodiments, the mapping member comprises 1 to 8 electrodes configured to record signals from a pulmonary vein or pacing in a pulmonary vein.
In some embodiments, the outer balloon 2460 includes a plurality of mapping electrodes, either glued metal electrodes or printed electrodes, within or attached to the outer surface of its walls in the middle of its length axis circularly configured to record cardiac signals to map areas of cardiac tissue responsible for an arrhythmia. In some embodiments, the outer balloon 2460 includes up to 24 mapping electrodes. In embodiments, the mapping electrodes measure cardiac electrical activity to assess at least one therapeutic endpoint.
In some embodiments, an entire surface of the catheter 2410, including the balloons 2460, 2465, oval or olive tip 2470, mapping electrodes and the mapping member, is coated with heparin.
In one embodiment, the elongate body 2512 includes an outer catheter 2515 having a lumen and an inner catheter 2516 having a first water/vapor infusion lumen 2517a and a second vapor suction lumen 2517b. In some embodiments, the first and second vapor lumens 2517a, 2517b are diametrically opposite to each other. The inner catheter 2516 is positioned within the lumen of the outer catheter 2515 so as to form a cooling fluid suction pathway 2522 between the two catheters 2515, 2516. The cooling fluid suction pathway 2522 accommodates first and second cooling fluid infusion tubes 2520.
The first and second cooling fluid infusion tubes 2520 and the cooling fluid suction pathway 2522 are in fluid communication with an inflatable outer balloon 2560 attached to the distal end of the catheter 2510. In embodiments, distal ends of the outer catheter 2515 and of the first and second cooling fluid infusion tubes 2520 lie or terminate at a proximal end of the outer balloon 2560 whereas a distal end of the inner catheter 2516 projects beyond a distal end of the outer balloon 2560. In embodiments, the cooling fluid is water, air or carbon-dioxide. During operation, the cooling fluid enters the first and second cooling fluid infusion tubes 2520 from the proximal end of the catheter 2510 and exits through the cooling fluid suction pathway 2522 from the proximal end of the catheter 2510 after circulating through the outer balloon 2560. The cooling fluid is circulated through the catheter 2510 and the outer balloon 2560 using a cooling fluid pump which is in data communication with, and controlled by, a controller.
The first water/vapor infusion lumen 2517a is in fluid communication, via a plurality of vapor infusion ports 2568a, with an inflatable inner balloon 2565 attached to the distal end of the catheter 2510 and positioned within the outer balloon 2560. The second vapor suction lumen 2517b is also in fluid communication with the inflatable inner balloon 2565 via a plurality of vapor suction ports 2568b. In some embodiment, suction of the vapor suction ports 2568b is controlled by a pressure sensor controlled external pump or by a self-opening pressure valve. In some embodiments, the plurality of vapor infusion and suction ports 2568a, 2568b are located along a portion of the inner catheter 2516 lying within the inner balloon 2565.
As shown in transverse cross-sectional, longitudinal cross-sectional and perspective views of
In some embodiments, seven vapor infusion ports 2568a are located on the inner catheter 2516 along the first water/vapor infusion lumen 2517a wherein each port 2568a has a diameter of 0.8 mm. In some embodiments, a proximal port 2568a′ is located at a distance of 1800 mm from a proximal end of the inner catheter 2516 and at a distance of 110.4 mm from a distal end of the inner catheter 2516. In some embodiments, as also shown in an enlarged view 2580 of
As shown in transverse and longitudinal cross-sectional views of
In some embodiments, at least one flexible heating chamber (such as those described with reference to
Referring to side and various perspective views of
Referring to side and various perspective views of
In some embodiments, the inner balloon 2565 is movable along a portion of the inner catheter 2516 within the outer balloon 2560 to better position the inner balloon within the outer balloon and ensure proper contact of the inner balloon with the outer balloon, using a wire mechanism in a handle at the proximal end of the catheter 2510.
In an embodiment, the distal end of the elongate body 2512 has a bulbous tip 2570 which may have an oval or olive-shaped tip (olive-tip) to make the distal end relatively atraumatic to tissues when the catheter 2510 is introduced into a body lumen.
In an embodiment, a total length of the oval or olive tip 2570 is 5 mm. In an embodiment, the proximal substantially cylindrical portion 2572 has a length of 2 mm. In an embodiment, the opening 2576 has a diameter of 1.8 mm and the cylindrical pathway 2577 has a length of 3.5 mm. In an embodiment, the substantially oval or olive distal portion 2574 has a width of 2.9 mm and a radius of 1.5 mm.
In some embodiments, a mapping member, which may be a distal extension, catheter, or any substrate comprising a plurality of sensors, detectors, or electrodes, is attached to the distal end of the body 2512 distal to the outer balloon 2560. The mapping member maps the area of cardiac tissue responsible for the arrhythmia. In some embodiments, the mapping member has a length of up to 75 mm. In some embodiments, the mapping member is pre-shaped in a pig-tail shape or lasso-loop shape to allow wall contact. In embodiments, the diameter of the pigtail is between 5 mm and 25 mm. In some embodiments, the mapping member comprises 1 to 8 electrodes configured to record signals from a pulmonary vein or pacing in a pulmonary vein.
In some embodiments, the outer balloon 2560 includes a plurality of mapping electrodes, either glued metal electrodes or printed electrodes, within or attached to the outer surface of its walls in the middle of its length axis circularly configured to record cardiac signals to map areas of cardiac tissue responsible for an arrhythmia. In some embodiments, the outer balloon 2560 includes up to 24 mapping electrodes. In embodiments, the mapping electrodes measure cardiac electrical activity to assess at least one therapeutic endpoint. In one embodiment, eight equally spaced mapping electrodes are positioned in a circle encompassing the outer balloon 2560, forming a loop with a diameter of 20 mm.
In some embodiments, an entire surface of the catheter 2510, including the balloons 2560, 2565, oval or olive tip 2570, mapping electrodes and the mapping member, is coated with heparin.
Creation of a distinct ablation zone the size of which is preferably variable depending on the anatomy of the patient is one of the objectives of embodiments of the present specification. Another objective is the creation of a “transition” or “insulation” zone proximal and distal to the ablation zone.
The ablation zone 2580, defined by the area of contact of the inflated inner balloon 2565 with the outer balloon 2560 and therefore, the area of outer balloon 2560 contacting the patient's tissue, is an area where the blood cannot flow. In some embodiments, the ablation zone 2580 spreads within a width of 1 mm to 20 mm. The temperature of outer surface of the insulation zones 2582a and 2582b is less than the temperature of the ablation zone 2580. In accordance with the various embodiments of the present specification, a variable ablation zone 2580 is achieved, and is surrounded by an insulating zone 2582a and 2582b. The variable ablation zone 2580 provides for a better cross section fit within different patients' anatomies. The variable ablation zone 2580 also results in a variable insulation zone 2582a and 2582b. The variability is a result of the two balloons 2560 and 2565 having variable shape, size and durometer. As a result, the inner balloon 2565 is less compliant and keeps a relatively rigid shape while the outer balloon is more compliant and shapes to a patient's atrial and pulmonary vein anatomy. The interaction between the cardiac tissue, the compliant and easily deformed outer balloon and semi-compliant and rigid inner balloon results in a dynamic/variable ablation zone. Accordingly, the inner balloon has a degree of compliance that is less than the outer balloon's degree of compliance.
Optionally, the inner balloon 2565 ‘floats’ within the outer balloon and axial force may be applied by a user through a guide sheath, further deforming the outer balloon and pushing the inner balloon 2565 in any orientation and creating the ablation zone 2580 where tissue contact is made by the outer balloon and the inner balloon intersection. Width of the ablation zone 2580 could be increased by increasing axial force transmitted via the guide sheath to the outer and the inner balloons. Additionally, the inner balloon can float relative to the outer balloon and guide sheath pressure can be used to move the inner balloon relative to the outer balloon.
In some embodiments, a membrane thickness of either or both inner 2565 and outer 2560 balloons is variable along its circumferential length along its longitudinal axis.
In alternative embodiments, insulation, such as insulation zone 2582a and 2582b is created by various means. In one method, an air gap is provided by adhering a patched membrane or foam, or any other material, to the outer surface of the inner balloon 2565 or the inner surface of the outer balloon 2560. In another embodiment, insulation is facilitated with the use of insulated pockets over a surface of the inner balloon 2565.
Pressure is regulated in the inflated balloons using pressure valves in the outflow channel connected to the inner balloon and the outflow channel connected to the outer balloon. In embodiments, the pressure is maintained between 0 psi and 50 psi in both the outer and the inner balloons. In some embodiments, a check valve (self-opening valve) is in the outflow channel coming from the outer balloon and set at a Pound-force per Square Inch (psi) value in a range of 0 to 5 psi. In some embodiments, another check valve (self-opening valve) is in the outflow channel coming from the inner balloon and set at a psi value in a range of 0.5 to 10. In some embodiments, the outer balloon valve opens between a pressure of 0 to 1.0 psi. In some embodiments, the inner balloon pressure is released above 2.0 to 3.0 psi. The ratio of volume maintained for the inner balloon and the outer balloon is dynamic, and is controlled by controlling the pressure in the balloons. In some embodiments, the outer balloon is inflated first to a maximum volume, the inner balloon is “primed”, and then steam is created. The outer balloon volume does not change as steam is created, due to the pressure valve control, while the inner balloon volume increases to 100% of its volume, which, in some embodiments, equals approximately 40% of the volume of the outer balloon. The check valves serve to automatically control pressure in the balloons. In some embodiments, the pressure in the inner balloon is same as or greater than the pressure in the outer balloon. Therefore, the pressure remains within its pre-defined range, otherwise the check valve opens. In alternative embodiments, an active pressure management system, such as suction, is used to regulate the pressure.
In order to achieve optimal heat tolerance, inflation, and compliance, it is important to use an appropriate material for manufacturing the outer and inner balloons. If the softening temperature (Tg) of a balloon's material is too low, the balloon may deform during use when exposed to steam. For example, the Tg of PET is 75° C. This means that after just one use, the PET balloon may deform and may not be useable for conducting additional ablation shots of a given PV or of other PVs in the patient. Therefore, it is desirable to use a material that has a Tg greater than 100° C. to be functional. In embodiments, there are two balloons, where each balloon has a different Tg value. In embodiments, the Tg value of each balloon is within a range of 60° C. to about 200° C. In some embodiments, the Tg is 80° C. In some embodiments, the Tg is 150° C.
It is also desirable to use a material that has a sufficiently wide elasticity range at various operating temperatures. If the elasticity range is too low, the yield point is passed during operation and the balloon deforms such that the ablation zone may not be properly positioned during operation. In embodiments, thermo-plastic copolyester material such as those provided by Amitel, may be used, which has a Tg of about 150° C.
In embodiments, material of the inner balloon is semi-compliant, implying that the material eliminates any folds that may have been present during packaging, and conforms to atrial anatomy for better contact. A compliant balloon is likely to have a fixed volume at a fixed pressure. It is desirable that material of the inner balloon is more rigid than that of the outer balloon, so as to maintain a certain shape and is not easily deformed by pressing against cardiac tissue. Some of the semi-compliant balloon materials, for example PEBA families, face mechanical and thermal challenges when introduced to steam. Therefore, one possible balloon material is a copolymer called Amitel. Amitel is also relatively semi-compliant but has higher softening and melt temperatures versus standard PEBA polymers. Materials such as Amitel may be used to make the inner balloon and shaft applications, in accordance with the embodiments of the present specification. An advantage of using it as a shaft material is that it is thermally bondable with inner balloons currently made using PET, thereby eliminating the need to use an adhesive bonding process.
Referring now to
In an embodiment, the outer catheter 2615 (
In an embodiment, the inner catheter or lumen 2650 (
In embodiments, the two cooling fluid lumens 2620, 2622 are in fluid communication with an inflatable outer balloon 2660 attached to the distal end of the catheter 2610. The two cooling fluid lumens 2620, 2622 extend from the outer balloon 2660 to a cooling fluid pump which is in data communication with, and controlled by, a controller. In some embodiments, the cooling fluid lumens 2620, 2622 are pressure controlled or integrated in the cooling fluid pump and function as a coupled, regulated fluid circuit. During operation, the cooling fluid pump pushes the cooling fluid into the infusion lumen 2620 (through an optional filter) to exit via first and second infusion ports 2662a, 2662b, shown in
The vapor lumen 2617 is in fluid communication with an inflatable inner balloon 2665 attached to the distal end of the catheter 2610 and positioned within the outer balloon 2660. The vapor lumen 2617 extends from the inner balloon 2665 to a water/vapor pump which is also in data communication with, and controlled by, the controller. A proximal end of the vapor lumen 2617, at the handle, has a luer lock connection to a sterile water/saline reservoir. Optionally, a Y-adapter is included to allow a guidewire/mapping catheter to pass through, while injecting saline into the vapor lumen to convert to steam when it passes across the electrode at the distal tip. Water/saline is pumped from the sterile water/saline reservoir via the water/vapor pump through the water/vapor lumen 2617 to enter a proximal end of the at least one flexible heating chamber 2630 (shown in
In some embodiments, as visible in
In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, as shown in
Referring now to
Specifically, referring to
In another embodiment, the maximum distance from the central axis of the outer balloon to the outer surface of the outer balloon (e.g. D3) is less than a length of the outer balloon, measured from a proximal point of attachment of the outer balloon to the catheter to a distal point of attachment of the outer balloon to the catheter. In another embodiment, the distances from the central axis to the outer surface of the outer balloon increases from a first minimum to a first maximum as one proceeds distally down the outer balloon length. After reaching the first maximum, the distance decreases to a second minimum, where the second minimum is greater than the first minimum. The distance from the first maximum to second minimum ranges from 2 mm to 35 mm. After reaching the second minimum, the distance decreases again to a third minimum, where the second minimum is greater than the third minimum. The distance from the second minimum to the third minimum ranges from 2 mm to 25 mm.
In embodiments, the pear shape of the inflatable outer balloon 2660 is symmetrical about a longitudinal axis 2674. In embodiments, proximal and distal ends of the outer balloon 2660 extend into tube-like structures or necks 2681, 2682 which help in keeping the catheter 2610 in place when it is passed through the balloon. In an alternate embodiment, the outer balloon 2660 has a short cylindrical shape configured to position or lodge into a pulmonary vein.
In some embodiments, as shown in
In other embodiments, the inflatable inner balloon 2665 has a shape such as, but not limited to, disc, elliptical, a rectangular prism, and a triangular prism.
As shown in
In some embodiments, the inner balloon 2665 is a ring-tube that is positioned inside the outer balloon 2660 towards the hot or ablation zone 2676. In some embodiments, the inner balloon 2665 has a shape of a doughnut or tube, such that an outer rim, at an equator, of the inner balloon 2665 is attached to an inner side, at an equator, of the outer balloon 2660.
In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, the contact or ablation zone 2676 on anterior surface 2676a of the outer balloon 2660 is at least 10% more than on posterior surface or end of the outer balloon 2660. In some embodiments, the contact or ablation zone 2676 ranges from 10% to 95% of the anterior surface 2676a of the outer balloon 2660. In some embodiments, the contact or ablation zone 2676 is greater than 25% of the circumference of the outer balloon 2660. In some embodiments, the contact or ablation zone 2676 ranges from 10% to 50% of the surface area of the outer balloon 2660.
In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, the outer balloon 2660 is more compliant than the inner balloon 2665. In some embodiments, the outer balloon has a radial expansion in a range of 10% to 25% at 1 atm pressure. In embodiments, the inner balloon 2665 is semi-compliant, and may have less than 10% radial expansion at 1 atm. In some embodiments, the inner balloon 2665 is coated or compounded with a hydrophilic coating or with barium, gold, platinum, or other radio-opaque material for radiographic visualization. In other embodiments, the outer surfaces of the balloons are dotted with silver or gold paint dots for radiographic visualization. In some embodiments, up to 25 dots are painted on each balloon.
In some embodiments, the at least one flexible heating chamber 2630 is positioned in-line within the central water/vapor lumen 2617 such that the plurality of electrodes 2655 are at least partially inside the inner balloon 2665. In one embodiment, as shown in
In some embodiments, the inner balloon 2665 is movable along the longitudinal axis 2674 within and along a portion of a length of the outer balloon 2660, to better position the inner balloon inside the outer balloon and ensure proper contact of the inner balloon with the outer balloon, using a wire mechanism in a handle at the proximal end of the catheter 2610.
In some embodiments, as shown in
In accordance with an aspect of the present specification, during ablation, the outer balloon 2660 is maintained at a pressure and is never under vacuum. In some embodiments, the outer balloon 2660 is under a first pressure while the inner balloon 2665 is under a second pressure. In some embodiments, the first pressure is equal to or less than the second pressure. In some embodiments, a pressurization difference between the outer and inner balloons 2660, 2665 is less than 20 psi. In some embodiments, there is a minimum desired volume difference between the outer and inner balloons 2660, 2665. In some embodiments, the outer balloon 2660 has a volume, during operation, that is at least 10% greater than a volume of the inner balloon 2665. In some embodiments, the volume difference of at least 10% is distributed between the first and third zones 2675, 2677. In some embodiments, the outer balloon 2660 has a volume, during operation, that is at least 5% greater than a volume of the inner balloon 2665. In some embodiments, the volume difference of at least 5% is distributed between the first and third zones 2675, 2677.
In some embodiments, a mapping member 2685, which may be a distal extension, catheter, or any substrate comprising a plurality of sensors, detectors, or electrodes, is attached to the distal end of the body 2612 distal to the outer balloon 2660. The mapping member 2685 maps the area of cardiac tissue responsible for the arrhythmia. In some embodiments, the mapping member 2685 has a length of up to 75 mm. In some embodiments, the mapping member 2685 is pre-shaped in a pig-tail shape to allow wall contact. In embodiments, the diameter of the pigtail is between 5 mm and 35 mm. In some embodiments, the mapping member 2685 comprises 1 to 32 electrodes configured to record signals from a pulmonary vein or pacing in a pulmonary vein. In some embodiments, the catheter body further includes a lumen for advancing a mapping member. In some embodiments, the lumen for advancing a mapping member has a diameter in a range of 0.5-1.5 mm. In some embodiments, the lumen for advancing a mapping member has a diameter of 1.0 mm.
In some embodiments, the outer balloon 2660 includes a plurality of mapping electrodes, either glued metal electrodes or printed electrodes, within or attached to the outer surface of its walls in the middle of its length axis circularly configured to record cardiac signals to map areas of cardiac tissue responsible for an arrhythmia. In some embodiments, the outer balloon 2660 includes up to 24 mapping electrodes. In embodiments, the mapping electrodes measure cardiac electrical activity to assess at least one therapeutic endpoint.
In some embodiments, an entire surface of the catheter 2610, including the balloons 2660, 2665, mapping electrodes and the mapping member 2685, is coated with heparin or a hydrophilic coating.
During operation, the cardiac ablation catheter 2610 is introduced, through a trans-septal puncture, into a left atrium and the outer balloon is advanced to a pulmonary vein of a heart. Next, the outer balloon 2660 is inflated with a cooling/insulating fluid, such as air or carbon-dioxide, to occlude blood flow from a pulmonary vein to the left atrium. In some embodiments, occlusion of the blood flow is confirmed with a dye study. Thereafter, the inner balloon 2665 is inflated with vapor such that the inner balloon 2665 comes into contact with desired portions or areas (that is, the middle hot zone 2676) of the outer balloon 2660 and the outer balloon 2660 remains contact with an ablation zone comprising target cardiac tissue. Cold zones or areas 2675, 2677 are located on the outer balloon 2660 where the inflated inner balloon 2665 is not in contact with the inflated outer balloon 2660. Consequently, thermal energy is transferred from inside the inner balloon 2665 through the outer balloon 2660 at the middle hot zone 2676 (the ablation zone) and into the cardiac tissue to ablate the tissue and treat the arrhythmia.
The non-contact areas or cold zones 2675, 2677, between the inner and outer balloons, are filled with the cooling/insulating fluid which acts as an insulator. The thermal energy is delivered for a desired duration following which the inner balloon 2665 self deflates due to condensation of vapor and the outer balloon 2660 is deflated. The catheter 2610 is removed and a circumferential ablation is created in the pulmonary vein (or the left atrium, if needed, in some embodiments) to treat an atrial arrhythmia. Optionally the pulmonary vein (or the left atrium, if needed, in some embodiments) is paced to confirm completeness of the circumferential ablation.
In some embodiments, the outer balloon 2660 includes a thermocouple in a predetermined area to detect contact of the inner balloon 2665 with the outer balloon 2660. In some embodiments, the outer balloon 2660 includes a thermocouple in a predetermined area to monitor delivery of thermal energy to the target cardiac tissue. In some embodiments, the outer balloon 2660 includes a thermocouple outside a predetermined area of the outer balloon 2660 to measure the temperature in the outer balloon 2660 and control the temperature outside the predetermined area to remain at less than 60 degrees Celsius, and ideally at less than 54 degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, the inner balloon 2665 includes a pressure sensor to measure pressure inside the inner balloon 2665. In some embodiments, the thermocouples and/or the pressure sensor are introduced through the two sensor lumens 2640.
Channel 26106 is configured to receive at least one of a guide wire, mapping catheter, and pacing catheter. Further, channels 26108 are open to the inner balloon and receive hot fluid out of the inner balloon. In embodiments, a valve between the inner balloon and channels 26108 ensures that hot fluid only flows out when either the pressure in the balloon exceeds a threshold, or when the valve is opened to evacuate the inner balloon.
At step 2603, heated vapor in infused into the inner balloon to increase a pressure of the inner balloon to a first inner balloon pressure, wherein infusing heated vapor into the inner balloon creates an ablation zone and wherein a surface area of the ablation zone is defined by a portion of the inner balloon contacting a portion of the outer balloon to thereby allow for heat transfer from the heated vapor in the inner balloon through the ablation zone to the cardiac tissue. In some embodiments, the heated vapor comprises steam and a temperature of the heated vapor is at least 100° C. In some embodiments, the method further comprises inflating the inner balloon with a second fluid prior to infusing the heated vapor into the inner balloon. In embodiments, the second fluid is air or CO2. The first inner balloon pressure is maintained for a first pre-determined period of time to ablate the cardiac tissue to a predetermined extent at step 2604. In some embodiments, the first pre-determined period of time is between 1 second and 5 minutes. In some embodiments, the first outer balloon pressure is maintained for the first pre-determined period of time. At step 2605, the infusion of heated vapor is stopped, wherein stopping the infusion of heated vapor causes the pressure of the inner balloon to decrease to a second inner balloon pressure. At step 2606, the outer balloon is deflated to a second outer balloon pressure.
In some embodiments, the surface area of the ablation zone is a function of a surface area of tissue positioned at a junction between the patient's pulmonary vein and the patient's left atrium. In some embodiments, the method further comprises removing a fluid created by a condensation of the heated vapor in the inner balloon, wherein the removal of the fluid decreases the pressure of the inner balloon to a third inner balloon pressure that is less than or equal to the first inner balloon pressure. In some embodiment, the catheter comprises a plurality of electrodes positioned proximate the distal end of the catheter and the heated vapor is generated by directing saline through the lumen and over the plurality of electrodes. In some embodiments, the method further comprises documenting a degree of removing an occlusion of the pulmonary vein after deflating the outer balloon.
In some embodiments, the method further comprises placing a guide wire or pacing catheter into a heart of the patient and placing the catheter over the guide wire or pacing catheter. In embodiments, the method further comprises sensing or stimulating a pulmonary vein using the guide wire or pacing catheter to determine a degree of pulmonary vein isolation. In some embodiments, a distal tip of the catheter is configured to deflect from a linear configuration to a curved configuration, wherein the curved configuration is defined by the distal tip being adapted to turn up to 150 degrees through a radius ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 inches.
In some embodiments, the inflated outer balloon is in contact with a portion of an ostium of a pulmonary vein and occludes at least a portion of the pulmonary vein 2 mm to 15 mm distal to the pulmonary vein ostium. In some embodiments, the ablation zone has a width of 2 mm to 15 mm and has a curved length at least partially defined by an extent of contact between the inflated outer balloon and a surface of the cardiac tissue. In some embodiments, a distance between an outer surface of the inflated outer balloon and an outer surface of the uninflated inner balloon is in a range of 1 mm to 25 mm.
In some embodiments, the method further comprises using at least one of fluoroscopy, three dimensional mapping, or an endoscopic procedure to determine an extent of contact of between at least two of the inner balloon, the outer balloon, and the cardiac tissue.
In some embodiments, the catheter further comprises at least one sensor. In embodiments, the sensor is configured to monitor contact of the inner balloon with the outer balloon or configured to monitor a temperature or pressure of the outer balloon or a temperature or pressure of the inner balloon.
In some embodiments, the further comprises introducing the catheter through a venous puncture in a femoral vein of the patient and advancing the catheter into a left atrium of the patient and into a pulmonary vein or left atrial appendage through a trans-septal puncture.
In some embodiments, the ablation zone is positioned away from a source of production of the heated vapor no further than 100 mm. In some embodiments, the ablation zone is only created when a pressure opposing a surface of the outer balloon is greater than 0.1 psi.
In some embodiments, the method further comprises repeating steps to ablate cardiac tissue for a second pre-determined period of time, wherein the second pre-determined period of time is equal to 50% to 250% of the first pre-determined period of time.
In some embodiments, ablation is performed to treat atrial fibrillation or ablate a left atrial appendage in the patient.
In some embodiments, upon being inflated, the outer balloon has a pear-shaped configuration, wherein the pear-shaped configuration comprises a proximal body that narrows into a tapered distal end.
In some embodiments, upon being inflated, a shape of the outer balloon is defined by a curve of a surface of the outer balloon that is further defined by a plane intersecting an entire length of the catheter, wherein the curve is characterized by a first point, a second point, and a third point sequentially positioned, and extending along the length of the catheter, between a proximal point and a distal point, wherein a first slope between the proximal point and first point has a first value, a second slope between the first point and second point has a second value, a third slope between the second point and the third point has a third value, a fourth slope between the third point and distal point has a fourth value, and wherein an absolute value of the first value is greater than an absolute value of the second value, an absolute value of the third value or an absolute value of the fourth value, the absolute value of the second value is greater than the absolute value of the third value, and the absolute value of the fourth value is greater than the absolute value of the third value; and wherein, when inflated, the inner balloon has the shape of an oblate spheroid where the minor axis, or short axis, coincides with the longitudinal axis of the catheter and the major axis, or long axis, is perpendicular to the catheter.
In some embodiments, upon being inflated, a shape of the outer balloon may be defined by a first distance from a central axis of the outer balloon to a first proximal point on an outer surface of the outer balloon, a second distance from the central axis to a second proximal point on the outer surface of the outer balloon, a third distance from the central axis to a third point on the outer surface of the outer balloon, a fourth distance from the central axis to a first distal point on the outer surface of the outer balloon, and a fifth distance from the central axis to a second distal point on the outer surface of the outer balloon, wherein each of the first proximal point, the second proximal point, the third point, the first distal point, and the second distal point are sequentially positioned along a length of the central axis starting from a proximal position and extending distally, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance, the third distance, and the fifth distance and wherein the fourth distance is greater than the first distance, the second distance, the third distance, and the fifth distance.
In some embodiments, upon the inner balloon and outer balloon being inflated, the ablation zone has a width and curved length defined by an extent of contact between the outer balloon and a portion of the cardiac tissue.
In some embodiments, the outer balloon 26208 is not fixedly attached to the inner balloon 26207 in said contact area. In some embodiments, a contour of a surface area of the ablation zone 26210 is a function of, and dependent on, a portion of the pulmonary vein of the patient. In some embodiments, the ablation zone 26210 is defined by a surface area and a size of the surface area ranges from 5% to 95% of a surface area of at least one of the inner balloon 26207 or outer balloon 26208. In some embodiments, the ablation zone 26210 has a width in a range of 1 mm to 20 mm. In some embodiments, the first fluid is air or CO2. In some embodiments, the second fluid is saline or carbonated saline, the heated vapor is steam, and the heated vapor has a temperature of at least 100° C. In some embodiments, the heating element 26206 is flexible and comprises a plurality of electrodes 26212 positioned within the second lumen 26205 and configured to receive an electrical current activated by the controller. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of electrodes 26212 comprises at least one edge adapted to be exposed to fluid present in the second lumen. In some embodiments, the heating element 26206 is defined by a distal end and the distal end is positioned at a distance in a range of 0 mm to 80 mm from a proximal end of the outer balloon 26208.
In some embodiments, the system 26200 further comprising one or more insulation zones 26213, wherein each of the one or more insulation zones 26213 is defined by a surface area of the outer balloon 26208 that is proximal or distal to the ablation zone 26210 and wherein each of the one or more insulation zones 26213 has an average temperature that is less than an average temperature of the ablation zone 26210. In some embodiments, each of the one or more insulation zones 26213 has a width of at least 0.1 mm and extends along a curved length in a range of 1 mm to the entire circumference of the outer balloon, or any increment therein.
In some embodiments, the inner balloon 26207 is configured to be movable along a horizontal longitudinal axis within the outer balloon 26208 and the catheter 26201 further comprises a mechanism 26214 configured to move the inner balloon 26207 within the outer balloon 26208.
In some embodiments, the controller 26211 further comprises programmatic instructions that, when executed, cause the outer balloon 26208 to be inflated to a first pressure and maintained at the first pressure during ablation. In some embodiments, the controller 26211 further comprises programmatic instructions that, when executed, cause the inner balloon 26207 to be inflated to a second pressure during ablation, wherein the first pressure is equal to or less than the second pressure. In some embodiments, the first pressure is between 0.01 atm and 5 atm and preferably between 0.1 atm and 5 atm or any range or increment therein.
In some embodiments, the system 26200 further comprises one or more pressure valves 26215 in fluid communication with the first lumen 26204, wherein each of the one or more pressure valves 26215 is configured to control a movement of fluid into, or out of, the outer balloon 26208 based upon a predetermined pressure level.
In some embodiments, the controller 26200 further comprises programmatic instructions that, when executed, cause the ablation zone 26210 to be maintained for a period of time between 1 second and 5 minutes.
In some embodiments, the system further comprises a mapping member 26216 positioned at the distal end 26202 of the catheter 26201 and configured to map an area of cardiac tissue responsible for a cardiac arrhythmia, wherein the mapping member 26216 comprises a plurality of sensors, detectors, or electrodes 26217. In some embodiments, the mapping member 26216 comprises a range of 1 to 64 electrodes configured to record signals form the pulmonary vein or pacing in the pulmonary vein.
In some embodiments, the system further comprises at least one sensor 26218, wherein the at least one sensor 26218 is positioned at the distal end 26202 of the catheter 26201 or at the proximal end 26203 of the catheter 26201. In some embodiments, the sensor 26218 comprises a temperature sensor configured to monitor a delivery of thermal energy to the cardiac tissue. In some embodiments, the sensor 26218 comprises a pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure inside the inner balloon.
In some embodiments, the outer balloon 26208 is defined by a pear shape and configured to be positioned in the pulmonary vein of the patient to occlude the pulmonary vein.
In some embodiments, when inflated, the outer balloon 26208 has an axis that extends along a length of the outer balloon 26208 and through the center of the outer balloon 26208 and a distance from the axis to an outer surface of the outer balloon changes along said length.
In some embodiments, upon being inflated, a shape of the outer balloon 26208 is defined by a curve of a surface of the outer balloon 26208 that is further defined by a plane intersecting an entire length of the catheter 26201, wherein the curve is characterized by a first point, a second point, and a third point sequentially positioned, and extending along the length of the catheter 26201, between a proximal point and a distal point, wherein a first slope between the proximal point and first point has a first value, a second slope between the first point and second point has a second value, a third slope between the second point and the third point has a third value, a fourth slope between the third point and distal point has a fourth value, and wherein an absolute value of the first value is greater than an absolute value of the second value, an absolute value of the third value or an absolute value of the fourth value, the absolute value of the second value is greater than the absolute value of the third value, and the absolute value of the fourth value is greater than the absolute value of the third value; and wherein, when inflated, the inner balloon has the shape of an oblate spheroid where the minor axis, or short axis, coincides with the longitudinal axis of the catheter 26201 and the major axis, or long axis, is perpendicular to the catheter 26201.
In some embodiments, upon being inflated, a shape of the outer balloon 26208 may be defined by a first distance from a central axis of the outer balloon 26208 to a first proximal point on an outer surface of the outer balloon 26208, a second distance from the central axis to a second proximal point on the outer surface of the outer balloon 26208, a third distance from the central axis to a third point on the outer surface of the outer balloon 26208, a fourth distance from the central axis to a first distal point on the outer surface of the outer balloon 26208, and a fifth distance from the central axis to a second distal point on the outer surface of the outer balloon 26208, wherein each of the first proximal point, the second proximal point, the third point, the first distal point, and the second distal point are sequentially positioned along a length of the central axis starting from a proximal position and extending distally, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance, the third distance, and the fifth distance and wherein the fourth distance is greater than the first distance, the second distance, the third distance, and the fifth distance.
In some embodiments, the inner balloon 26207 has a spherical, ovoid, conical, disc, elliptical, rectangular prism, or triangular prism shape.
In some embodiments, when inflated, the outer balloon 26208 is characterized by at least one first radial length extending from a central point on an axis extending longitudinally along the catheter 26201 and through the outer balloon 26208 to a point on a surface of the outer balloon 26208, wherein, when inflated, the inner balloon 26207, is characterized by at least one second radial length extending from a central point on an axis extending longitudinally along the catheter 26201 and through the inner balloon 26207 to a point on a surface of the inner balloon 26207, and wherein the at least one first radial length is different than the at least one second radial length. In some embodiments, the at least one first radial length is greater than the at least one second radial length by any amount or by at least 10%.
In some embodiments, upon the inner balloon 26207 and outer balloon 26208 being inflated, the ablation zone 26210 has a width and curved length defined by an extent of contact between the outer balloon 26208 and the cardiac tissue.
The third catheter 2715 also illustrates a substantially elliptical outer balloon 2716 attached to a distal tip of the catheter 2715. A twin-frustum inner balloon 2717 is attached to the distal tip of the catheter 2715 within the outer balloon 2716. In accordance with an embodiment, the twin-frustum inner balloon 2717 comprises first and second frustum (or truncated cone) portions 2717a, 2717b coupled at their bases. In an embodiment, a height of the first frustum portion 2707a is greater than a height of the second frustum portion 2707b.
The second catheter 2710 illustrates a substantially spherical outer balloon 2711 attached to a distal tip of the catheter 2710. A conical inner balloon 2712 is attached to the distal tip of the catheter 2710 within the outer balloon 2711. In accordance with an embodiment, an apex or vertex of the conical inner balloon 2712 lies towards a distal end of the outer balloon 2711 while a base of the conical inner balloon 2712 lies towards a proximal end of the outer balloon 2711.
The fifth catheter 2725 also illustrates a substantially spherical outer balloon 2726 attached to a distal tip of the catheter 2725. A conical inner balloon 2727 is attached to the distal tip of the catheter 2725 within the outer balloon 2726. In accordance with an embodiment and in contrast to the second catheter 2710, an apex or vertex of the conical inner balloon 2727 lies towards a proximal end of the outer balloon 2726 while a base of the conical inner balloon 2727 lies towards a proximal end of the outer balloon 2726.
The fourth catheter 2720 illustrates a substantially twin-conical outer balloon 2721 attached to a distal tip of the catheter 2720. In accordance with an embodiment, the twin-conical outer balloon 2721 comprises first and second conical portions 2721a, 2721b coupled at their bases. In an embodiment, a height of the first conical portion 2721a is substantially equal to a height of the second conical portion 2721b. A substantially elliptical inner balloon 2722 is attached to the distal tip of the catheter 2720 within the outer balloon 2721.
For each of the catheters 2705, 2710, 2715, 2720 and 2725, a volume of the inner balloon is less than a volume of the outer balloon. In some embodiments, the volume of the outer balloon is at least 10% greater than the volume of the inner balloon, when both balloons are fully inflated. In various embodiments, a surface area of contact between the inner and outer balloons, in fully inflated state, is less than 90%
Each of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth double balloon catheters 2705, 2710, 2715, 2720 and 2725 have a handle attached to their respective proximal ends.
The second configuration 2810 illustrates an outer balloon 2811 that has a compound shape comprising a short substantially spherical proximal portion 2811a, a substantially cylindrical middle portion 2811b and a short substantially conical or tapered distal portion 2811c. The inner balloon 2812 has a substantially tear-drop or droplet shape having its apex or vertex 2812a directed towards a proximal end of the configuration 2810. In an embodiment, the outer and/or inner balloons 2811, 2812 include a radio-opaque marker 2813 identifying an ablation or hot zone where the inner balloon 2811 contacts the outer balloon 2812 when both are in fully expanded states.
The third configuration 2815 illustrates an outer balloon 2816 that has a substantially tear-drop or droplet shape such that an apex or vertex 2816a forms a distal end while a bulbous end 2816b forms a proximal end of the outer balloon 2816. The inner balloon 2817 also has a substantially tear-drop or droplet shape such that an apex or vertex 2817a is directed towards the proximal end and a bulbous end 2817b is directed towards the distal end of the outer balloon 2816. In an embodiment, the outer and/or inner balloons 2816, 2817 include a radio-opaque marker 2818 identifying an ablation or hot zone where the inner balloon 2817 contacts the outer balloon 2816 when both are in fully expanded states.
The fourth configuration 2820 illustrates an outer balloon 2821 that has a substantially tear-drop or droplet shape such that an apex or vertex 2821a forms a distal end while a bulbous end 2821b forms a proximal end of the outer balloon 2821. The inner balloon 2822 also has a substantially tear-drop or droplet shape such that an apex or vertex 2822a is directed towards the proximal end and a bulbous end 2822b is directed towards the distal end of the outer balloon 2821. The outer and inner balloons 2821, 2822 are shown attached to a distal end of an elongate body 2823. An ablation or hot zone 2824 is formed where the inner balloon 2822 contacts the outer balloon 2821 when both are in fully expanded states. In some embodiments, the inner balloon 2822 occupies a smaller area of the inside of the outer balloon 2821 of the fourth configuration 2820 when compared to the balloons 2816, 2817 shown in the third configuration 2815.
The fifth configuration 2825 illustrates an outer balloon 2826 that has a substantially elliptical proximal portion 2826a transitioning into a relatively smaller substantially elliptical distal portion 2826b. The inner balloon 2827 has a substantially tear-drop or droplet shape having its apex or vertex 2827a directed towards a proximal end of the outer balloon 2826. The outer and inner balloons 2826, 2827 are shown attached to a distal end of an elongate body 2828. An ablation or hot zone 2829 is formed where the inner balloon 2827 contacts the outer balloon 2826 when both are in fully expanded states. In some embodiments the elliptical distal portion 2826b comprises a third balloon that is independently operated from a separate elliptical proximal balloon 2826a and can either be inflated with a coolant/insulating fluid or an ablative agent such as water vapor.
The sixth configuration 2830 illustrates an outer balloon 2831 that has a substantially tear-drop or droplet shape such that an apex or vertex 2831a forms a distal end while a bulbous end 2831b form a proximal end of the outer balloon 2831. The inner balloon 2832 has a substantially spherical shape. The outer and inner balloons 2831, 2832 are shown attached to a distal end of an elongate body 2833. An ablation or hot zone 2834 is formed where the inner balloon 2831 contacts the outer balloon 2832 when both are in fully expanded states.
The seventh configuration 2835 illustrates an outer balloon 2836 that has a compound shape comprising a substantially spherical proximal portion 2836a transitioning into a relatively smaller substantially spherical distal portion 2836b. The inner balloon 2837 has a substantially elliptical shape such that a long axis 2837a of the inner balloon 2837 is substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal axis 2838a of the configuration 2835. The outer and inner balloons 2836, 2837 are shown attached to a distal end of an elongate body 2838. An ablation or hot zone 2839 is formed where the inner balloon 2836 contacts the outer balloon 2835 when both are in fully expanded states. In some embodiments, the spherical distal portion 2836b comprises a third balloon that is independently operated from a separate spherical proximal balloon 2836a and can either be inflated with a coolant/insulating fluid or an ablative agent such as water vapor.
A second view 2910 shows a square balloon 2911. It should be appreciated that the qualifier ‘square’ is indicative of the substantially right-angled or squared ends or corners of the balloon 2911. Proximal and distal ends of the balloon 2911 extend into tube like structures or necks 2912, which help in keeping the catheter in place when it is passed through the balloon. A third view 2915 shows a spherical balloon 2916. Proximal and distal ends of the balloon 2916 extend into tube like structures or necks 2917, which help in keeping the catheter in place when it is passed through the balloon.
A fourth view 2920 shows a conical-cylindrical (short) balloon 2921 comprising a conical first portion 2921a coupled at its base to a short cylindrical second portion 2921b having substantially right-angled or squared ends or corners (similar to the square balloon 2911). A length of the second portion 2921b is substantially shorter than a length of the first portion 2921a. Proximal and distal ends of the balloon 2921 extend into tube like structures or necks 2922, which help in keeping the catheter in place when it is passed through the balloon. It should be appreciated that the qualifier ‘short’ is indicative of the second portion 2921b being stunted or short.
A fifth view 2925 shows a conical-cylindrical (long) balloon 2926 comprising a conical first portion 2926a coupled at its base to a long cylindrical first portion 2926b having substantially right-angled or squared ends or corners (similar to the square balloon 2911). A length of the cylindrical second portion 2926b is substantially longer than a length of the conical first portion 2926a. Proximal and distal ends of the balloon 2926 extend into tube like structures or necks 2927, which help in keeping the catheter in place when it is passed through the balloon. It should be appreciated that the qualifier ‘long’ is indicative of the second portion 2931b being elongated.
A sixth view 2930 shows a conical-cylindrical (long) balloon 2931 comprising a conical first portion 2931a coupled at its base to a long cylindrical second portion 2931b having substantially spherical or rounded ends or corners. A length of the second portion 2931b is substantially longer than a length of the first portion 2931a. Proximal and distal ends of the balloon 2931 extend into tube like structures or necks 2932, which help in keeping the catheter in place when it is passed through the balloon. It should be appreciated that the qualifier ‘long’ is indicative of the second portion 2931b being elongated.
A seventh view 2935 shows a long cylindrical balloon 2936 having substantially spherical or rounded ends or corners. Proximal and distal ends of the balloon 2931 extend into tube like structures or necks 2937, which help in keeping the catheter in place when it is passed through the balloon. It should be appreciated that the qualifier ‘long’ is indicative of the balloon 2936 being elongated.
An eighth view 2940 shows a tapered balloon 2941 comprising first and second tapered or conical ends 2941a, 2941b of a tapering cylindrical portion 2941c. Proximal and distal ends of the balloon 2941 extend into tube like structures or necks 2942, which help in keeping the catheter in place when it is passed through the balloon.
A ninth view 2945 shows a dog-bone balloon 2946. The balloon 2946 has a compound shape that resembles a dog biscuit or dog-bone toy with first, second and third cylindrical portions 2946a, 2946b, 2946c such that a diameter of the middle/second cylindrical portion 2946b is lesser than the first and third cylindrical portions 2946a, 2946c that form ends of the middle/second cylindrical portion 2946b. Each of the first and third cylindrical portions 2946a, 2946c has tapering or conical ends 2947. Proximal and distal ends of the balloon 2946 extend into tube like structures or necks 2948, which help in keeping the catheter in place when it is passed through the balloon.
A tenth view 2950 shows a stepped balloon 2951 comprising first, second and third cylindrical portions 2951a, 2951b, 2951c wherein a diameter of the second portion 2951b is greater than a diameter of the first portion 2951a and a diameter of the third portion 2951c is greater than the diameter of the second portion 2951b. The balloon 2950 has tapering or conical proximal and distal ends 2952. Tapering or conical portions 2953 are included between the first and second portions 2951a, 2951b and between the second and third portions 2951b, 2951c. Proximal and distal ends 2952 of the balloon 2946 extend into tube like structures or necks 2954, which help in keeping the catheter in place when it is passed through the balloon.
An eleventh view 2955 shows an offset balloon 2956. The offset shape of the balloon 2956 comprises a longitudinal half of a compound shape having tapering or conical ends 2956a, 2956c of a middle cylindrical portion 2956b. Proximal and distal ends of the balloon 2956 extend into tube like structures or necks 2957, which help in keeping the catheter in place when it is passed through the balloon.
A twelfth view 2960 shows a conical-offset balloon 2961. The balloon 2961 comprises a full cylindrical portion 2961b that has a full conical or tapering first end 2961a and a longitudinally halved conical or tapering second end 2961c. Proximal and distal ends of the balloon 2961 extend into tube like structures or necks 2962, which help in keeping the catheter in place when it is passed through the balloon.
In embodiments, the different first, second, third and fourth cone angles enable the respective balloons to meet different taper requirements.
During operation, a cooling fluid such as, but not limited to, water or air, is infused into the balloon 3220 to inflate the balloon 3220 and dilate or enlarge an opening or puncture created in, for example, an atrial septum. In an embodiment, the dilation balloon 3220 has a compound shape comprising proximal and distal substantially tapering or conical ends 3220a, 3220c and a substantially cylindrical middle portion 3220b when in fully expanded state.
Once the catheter 3200 is positioned proximate a target tissue—such as in a pulmonary vein, a fluid is circulated into the outer balloon 3260 while an ablation fluid, such as steam, is infused into the inner balloon 3265 to respectively inflate the outer and inner balloons 3260, 3265. In an embodiment, the outer balloon 3260 is substantially elliptical, in a fully expanded state. In an embodiment, when fully inflated, the inner balloon 3265 has a twin-conical shape comprising first and second conical portions 3265a, 3265b coupled or fused at their bases.
To estimate a shape and size (geometry) of the body lumen 3320, the catheter 3310 is positioned within the body lumen 3320 and the balloon 3360 is inflated with a conductive solution. The catheter 3310 measures a plurality (such as, 16) of luminal cross-sectional areas (thereby estimating shape and size) along the body lumen 3320 as well as pressure during controlled volumetric expansion of the balloon 3360 within the body lumen.
In some embodiments, the catheter 3310 uses impedance planimetry to characterize geometry (shape and size) of the body lumen 3320. Impedance planimetry uses alternating current (AC) voltage measurements made between electrode pairs to estimate a diameter of a medium (conductive fluid) at a mid-point between those electrodes. The voltage measurements can be obtained provided the voltage drop across the medium is generated from a constant AC current source and the conductivity of the medium is constant and known for a given temperature.
Referring now to view 3330, the balloon 3360 is shown inflated, with the conductive solution, within the body lumen 3320. A pair of electrodes 3315 is shown separated by a fixed distance (L) and is connected via wires to a voltage meter 3335. A constant current source 3340 is applied, and an electric field (represented with a plurality of electric field lines 3345) is generated in the conductive medium contained in the inflated balloon 3360 constrained by walls 3322 of the body lumen 3320.
Now, resistance (R) or impedance can be determined by:
where, R is resistance (impedance), given by V/I, σ is the conductivity of the medium, L is the distance between the pair of electrodes 3315, A is a cylinder area and Dest is the cylinder diameter. R, the resistance (impedance), can be calculated as the AC current (I) is known and is fixed, and the AC voltage (V) is measured across the pair of electrodes. Since, L is a fixed distance between the electrodes, and the medium conductivity (σ) is known for a given temperature, then Dest can be determined. An estimate of the balloon or cylinder diameter (Dest) at a given electrode position is derived from the measured cylinder area (A) using an assumption that the balloon 3360 is symmetrical about its longitudinal axis at that electrode position.
Thus, once the balloon 3360 is filled with the conductive solution, 16 intraluminal cross-sectional areas (CSA) are measured by the impedance measuring electrodes 3315, whereas the pressure transducer provides the corresponding intra-balloon pressure. The diameter Dest and intra-balloon pressure measurements are exported to a software application to generate and display a topography plot 3350. The plot 3350 displays the calculated cross-sectional areas (CSAs) as a cylinder of varying diameters. The geometry of the body lumen can be used to direct the amount of ablative agent needed to be delivered to achieve effective ablation.
In some embodiments, the first path 3405 is substantially linear while the second path 3410 is substantially spiral or helical around the first path 3405.
In some embodiments, the first path 3405 is 1.1 to 10 times longer than the second path 3410. In some embodiments, a ratio between a length of the first and second paths 3405, 3410 is π.
In accordance with an aspect, in fully expanded state, the outer balloon 3560 has a compound shape comprising of a substantially elliptical proximal portion 3560a along with first and second substantially spherical or elliptical distal cornuates or portions 3560b, 3560c. In an embodiment, a long axis 3520 of the substantially elliptical proximal portion 3560a is substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal axis 3525 of the elongate body 3512. The first branch 3515 is directed into the first distal cornuate 3560b of the outer balloon 3560 while the second branch 3516 is directed into the second distal cornuate 3560c of the outer balloon 3560. In some embodiments, the first branch 3515 includes a mapping member 3527 extending distally therefrom and the second branch 3516 extends a second mapping member 3526 extending distally therefrom.
In some embodiments, the elongate body 3512 includes a first cooling fluid infusion lumen and a second cooling fluid suction lumen—both of which are in fluid communication with the outer balloon 3560 including the cornuates 3560b, 3560c. During operation, a cooling fluid pump which is in data communication with, and controlled by, a controller enables a cooling fluid to be pumped into the outer balloon 3560 through the cooling fluid infusion lumen and allows the cooling fluid to be pumped out of the outer balloon 3560 through the cooling fluid suction lumen.
In some embodiments, the elongate body 3512 also includes a water/vapor lumen that is in fluid communication with the inner balloon 3565 via a plurality of vapor infusion ports. In some embodiments, at least one flexible heating chamber (such as those described with reference to
An ablation zone or hot zone 3530 is created at the area of contact between the inner balloon 3565 and the outer balloon 3560, such that thermal energy from the inner balloon 3565 passes through the outer balloon 3560 to an area of ablation. The elongate body 3512 and portions of the outer balloon 3560, excluding the hot zone, remain cool owing to the circulating cooling fluid.
In accordance with an embodiment, the ablation or hot zone 3530 forms an area of ablation or lesion 3535 that is shaped approximately in the form of ‘8’, as shown in view 3540. During operation (such as during a pulmonary vein isolation procedure of view 3540), the catheter 3500 is guided into the left atrium such that the first and second cornuates 3560b, 3560c are positioned in respective first and second pulmonary veins 3542a, 3542b or third and fourth pulmonary veins 3543a, 3543b. The left atrium between the two pulmonary veins 3542a, 3542b or 3543a, 3543b prevents the balloon 3560 from slipping into the pulmonary veins. Thus, simultaneous ablation at the two pulmonary veins 3542a, 3542b or 3543a, 3543b can be carried out using the bicornuate catheter 3500 resulting in the area of ablation or lesion 3535 resembling the figure ‘8’. In embodiments, simultaneous ablation of two pulmonary veins, using the bicornuate catheter 3500, reduces ablation time by 50%.
In accordance with an aspect, an inflatable ablation balloon, of a balloon cardiac ablation catheter such as the catheter 1442 of
In various embodiments, the plurality of ablation fluid channels are configured into a plurality of patterns or contours (such as, but not limited to, a wave, series of lines, sine wave, square wave) such that the circulating steam/vapor creates ablation proximate the area of the channels without any ablation in the remaining area (that is, area devoid of the channels) of the balloon. In an exemplary application of PV (pulmonary vein) ablation, the plurality of channels create a pattern of ablation in a PV sufficient to block conduction of electrical activity from a PV to a Left Atrium (LA) without causing a significant stricture in the PV, wherein a length of the circumferential pattern of ablation is greater than the circumference of the PV proximate the ablation. In some embodiments, a length or width of the circumferential pattern of ablation is 1.2 times greater than a width of a circumference of the PV or another organ being ablated proximate the ablation. Therefore, in an embodiment, if a width of the circumference of a PV is 10 mm, the width of a circumference of ablation will be 12 mm or greater. In some embodiments, a distance between two adjacent circumferential ablation patterns is greater than two times the thickness of the PV or the thickness of the wall or layer of the wall of an organ being ablated.
In various embodiments, balloon pressure of the inner and outer balloons of the ablation catheters of the present specification is managed as steam is produced. In some embodiments, the catheters include a plurality of ports at the proximal end for delivery and removal of inflating agents and ablation agents. In some embodiments, the ablation catheters include at least one ablative agent ‘in’ port, at least one ablative agent ‘out’ port, at least one inflating agent ‘in’ port, and at least one inflating agent ‘out’ port. In various embodiments, the ablative agent is vapor and the inflating agent is CO2. Each port is in fluid communication with a corresponding lumen within the catheter.
In some embodiments, every port—vapor in, vapor out, CO2 in, CO2 out—is actively managed by a controller, which also actively manages the steam/vapor generator. In some embodiments, each port may be opened or closed in response to instructions from the controller. Controlling the open and close states of the ports prevents leakage and also ensures the out ports will be closed, and/or controlled, during vapor delivery. In some embodiments, the outflow of vapor or steam is controlled by a fluid column which is backloaded into the steam or vapor ‘out’ lumen. The level the fluid is managed by pressure and volume controlled in and out pumps at the proximal end of the catheter. In various embodiments, actively managing the ports comprises sensing for pressure and temperature at each port and then changing the inputs at each port based on a desired range of values. In various embodiments, each port comprises a valve configured to be opened or closed by the controller.
In various embodiments, the catheters are configured to deliver and/or remove/aspirate fluid in any orientation. Air in the lumens to the balloons expands the balloons at least initially. Vapor can only expand once the temperature inside the balloon reaches >100° C. and steam stops condensing. The pressure in the outer balloon will rise as the inner balloon inflates. In some embodiments, the outer balloon is actively deflated, as the inner balloon is inflated with heated vapor, to maintain a constant pressure. In some embodiments, an amount of air pre-existing in the catheter lumen expands due to heat from the vapor or steam being delivered and causes some inflation of the inner balloon. In some embodiments, the inner balloon is inflated with CO2 partially before inflating with steam, while the inner balloon is maintained at a constant pressure. In some embodiments, the catheter includes an additional port for separately injecting CO2 to assist with inner balloon inflation. In another embodiment the CO2 is mixed with the saline (carbonated saline) and is released simultaneous to the vaporization of the saline and assist with inflation of the internal balloon.
In some embodiments, the inner and outer balloons are inflated according to specific protocols to ensure proper functioning of the ablation catheters. In some embodiments, the inflation protocol comprises: inflating an outer balloon to a first pressure level in a range of 0.5 to 100 psi, inflating an inner balloon first with CO2 to a second pressure level or volume at least 5% less than the first pressure level, inflating the inner balloon with steam to a third pressure level or volume greater than the first and second pressure level, and monitoring a pressure level of the outer balloon and removing or adding CO2 to maintain that level. In another embodiment, the third pressure level of the inner balloon is monitored and maintained by allowing the CO2 or vapor in the inner balloon to escape out of the catheter.
In various embodiments, the catheter bodies of the present specification comprise an extruded shaft with multiple lumens within. In other embodiments, the catheter bodies of the present specification comprise a single lumen with a plurality of bundled liners within said single lumen. The bundled liners are configured to function as separate independent lumens for the various functions of the catheter, including inflating agent delivery and suction and ablative agent delivery and suction. In various embodiments, each of the plurality of bundled liners has a different diameter. The separate lumens provide easier identification of each lumen, greater independence for the inner balloon, and air gaps between the bundled liners for insulation. In one embodiment, a vapor delivery lumen further includes an insulation liner at its distal end. In one embodiment, the insulation liner comprises a braided polyimide/Pebax shaft.
In embodiments, the ablation zone is created when an opposing pressure to the outer balloon is greater than 0.1 psi against the outer balloon. The ablation zone is not created if blood flow across a portion of the ablation zone is greater than 1 ml/min. In some embodiments, the ablation zone is not created if blood flow across a portion of the ablation zone is greater than 10 ml/min, or is greater than 100 ml/min. In embodiments, the blood flow stated here refers to the flow of blood between the outer balloon's external surface and the tissue to be ablated. In one embodiment the blood flow is out of the pulmonary vein to be ablated into a left atrium.
In embodiments, steam for ablation is generated within a certain distance range from the tissue to be ablated. Therefore, in some embodiments, the area that contacts the tissue, or the ablation zone, is away from a source of production of steam at a distance in a range of 0 mm to 100 mm. In some embodiments, the balloon is stretchable, and may be expanded through a controller in the handle.
In some embodiments, the catheter is configured to have a temperature differential between an exterior surface of the catheter and an interior surface of the lumen where heated vapor is generated that is no less than 40 degrees Celsius. More specifically, the exterior surface of the catheter should be less than 60 degrees Celsius and preferably less than 45 degrees Celsius In some embodiments, the catheter shaft is insulated with a guide sheath and a constant saline flow. The insulation prevents conduction from increasing shaft temperatures during steam generation.
In various embodiments, the outer balloon comprises silicone. In various embodiments, the inner balloon comprises med-durometer urethane, PET, or Pebax. In various embodiments, the inner balloon comprises a material configured to be semi-compliant while also heat tolerant.
At step 3612, pulmonary vein occlusion is documented. In various embodiments, pulmonary vein occlusion is documented radiologically, via ultrasound, or endoscopically. Optionally, occlusion is not documented at all. Unlike other treatment approaches, if there is no occlusion, the ablation zone will not have any effect, i.e. will not ablate tissue, because no counterpressure is being applied against the ablation zone surface area. In the absence of counterpressure against the ablation zone surface, heat transfer out of the ablation zone surface area sufficient to cause tissue ablation will not occur. Hence, in one embodiment, the present invention is directed toward a method of ablating cardiac tissue wherein, in the absence of counterpressure against the ablation zone surface in excess of a threshold value, heat transfer out of the ablation zone surface area sufficient to cause tissue ablation will not occur.
At step 3614, an inner balloon is inflated to a first volume V1. In various embodiments, the inner balloon is inflated with air or CO2. Vapor is infused at 100° C. or higher temperature to raise a temperature of the inner balloon to equal to or greater than 100° C. and raise a volume of the balloon to a second volume V2 at step 3616. Then, at step 3618, vapor is continued to be infused at 100° C. to raise the volume of the balloon to a third volume V3, wherein V3 is equal to or greater than V2, and maintain V3 for a pre-determined period of time T1, wherein T1 is sufficient to ablate a portion of the pulmonary vein, pulmonary vein ostium, or an atrium, or wherein T1 is between 1 sec and 5 minutes. It should be appreciated that this step causes an ablation zone, as described herein, to be formed, together with transition zones positioned proximally and distally. A transition zone is an area, defined at least in part by the surface of the outer balloon and adjacent the ablation zone (either proximally, distally or both) in which the temperature of that surface area is equal to no more than 95% of the temperature of the ablation zone, preferably no more than 80%, and even more preferably no more than 60%, or any increment between 30% and 95%. Insulation zone is an area, defined at least in part by the surface of the outer balloon and adjacent the ablation zone (either proximally, distally or both) in which a material or fluid, including but not limited to gas, liquid, air, or CO2, is positioned between the inner surface of the outer balloon and outer surface of the inner balloon, thereby causing a separation, or gap, between the heated surface of the inner balloon and the outer balloon. Gap or separation is the space enclosed by the outer balloon and defined by a distance between the inner surface of the outer balloon and outer surface of the inner balloon which, in the ablation zone, is 0 and outside the ablation zone is greater than 0.
Pressure in the outer balloon is maintained between 0.01 atm and 5 atm at step 3620. At step 3622, the flow of vapor is stopped, allowing the vapor to condense and the inner balloon to deflate to a volume V4 wherein V1<V4<V2/V3. At step 3624, fluid and water created by condensation of the vapor from the inner balloon are removed or aspirated to bring the volume of the inner balloon to the pre-inflation volume or <V1. The outer balloon is deflated to a pressure<P1 reversal of the pulmonary vein occlusion is optionally documented at step 3626. At step 3628, the cycle is repeated in the same or separate pulmonary vein.
Now, at step 3634, an outer balloon of the double balloon catheter is inflated with an insulating fluid such as, for example, carbon dioxide to occlude the pulmonary vein. In some embodiments, the inflated outer balloon is in physical contact with an entirety of a pulmonary vein ostia. In other embodiments, the inflated outer balloon is in contact with a portion of a pulmonary vein ostia. In some embodiments, a pear shaped balloon is configured to contact the pulmonary vein ostia. In some embodiments, the inflated outer balloon occludes at least a portion of a pulmonary vein 2-15 mm distal to a pulmonary vein ostia. In some embodiments, prior to inflating the inner balloon, a distance or physical gap between the inflated outer balloon and uninflated inner balloon is in a range of 5-15 mm. In some embodiments, a gap in a range of 0.1 mm to 10 mm is present between a proximal end of the inflated outer balloon and the uninflated inner balloon. In some embodiments, a gap of at least 5 mm is present between a proximal end of the inflated outer balloon and the uninflated inner balloon.
Contrast is injected into the lumen to ensure that the outer balloon is occluding the pulmonary vein. In an embodiment, occlusion of the pulmonary vein is documented and confirmed radiologically. Thereafter, at step 3636, an inner balloon of the double balloon catheter is inflated with steam or water vapor so that the inflated inner balloon contacts the inflated outer balloon at an ablation zone. In some embodiments, the inflated inner balloon contacts at least 2-15 mm along a 360 degree circumference of the inflated outer balloon where the outer balloon is in contact with the ostium axial surface. In some embodiments, the contact between the inner and outer balloons is constant during therapy. In various embodiments, the inner balloon is disc or ball shaped. In some embodiments, the inner balloon is radiopaque. In some embodiments, the inner balloon includes a barium coating. Subsequently, at step 3638, heat energy is transmitted from the inner balloon through the outer balloon to ablate the pulmonary vein, a pulmonary vein ostium or a left atrium. Finally, at step 3640, the pulmonary vein is stimulated through the pacing catheter to document complete pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). At step 3641, after each cycle of therapy, a sufficient amount of fluid is evacuated from the inner balloon and the outer balloon is deflated to allow the catheter to be removed.
Now, at step 3650, an outer balloon of the double balloon catheter is inflated with an insulating fluid such as, for example, carbon dioxide to occlude the pulmonary vein and displace blood in the left atrium away from an ablation site. In an embodiment, occlusion of the pulmonary vein is documented and confirmed radiologically through dye study. The pressure and volume of the inflated outer balloon are monitored. In an embodiment, the pressure of the inflated outer balloon is maintained below 5 atm.
Thereafter, at step 3652, an inner balloon of the double balloon catheter is inflated with steam or water vapor so that the inflated inner balloon contacts the inflated outer balloon at an ablation zone. In some embodiments, contact of the inner and outer balloons at the ablation zone is documented and confirmed using fluoroscopy, 3D mapping and/or endoscopy. In some embodiments, one or more sensors in the ablation zone are utilized to monitor contact of the inner and outer balloons. In embodiments, the temperature or a pressure of the inner balloon is monitored.
Subsequently, at step 3654, heat energy is transmitted from the inner balloon through the outer balloon to ablate the pulmonary vein, a pulmonary vein ostium or a left atrium. The temperature and pressure in the outer balloon are monitored to maintain at desired therapeutic values. At step 3656, heat is delivered to the pulmonary vein, pulmonary vein ostium or left atrium for a first duration. In some embodiments, the first duration ranges from 5 seconds to 5 minutes.
Now, at step 3658, the pulmonary vein is stimulated through the pacing catheter to document complete pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Optionally, at step 3660, the ablation step 3656 is repeated (if required) wherein heat is delivered for a second duration. In some embodiments, the second duration ranges between 50% and 250% of the first duration.
Now, at step 3666, an outer balloon of the double balloon catheter is inflated with an insulating fluid such as, for example, carbon dioxide to occlude the left atrial appendage. In an embodiment, occlusion of the left atrial appendage is documented and confirmed radiologically. Thereafter, at step 3668, an inner balloon of the double balloon catheter is inflated with steam or water vapor so that the inflated inner balloon contacts the inflated outer balloon at an ablation zone. Subsequently, at step 3670, heat energy is transmitted from the inner balloon through the outer balloon to ablate the left atrial appendage. Finally, at step 3672, the left atrial appendage is filled with an acellular matrix to promote cell growth and occlusion of the left atrial appendage. In one embodiment, a third balloon distal to the double balloon is used to ablate the left atrial appendage. In another embodiment, the third balloon distal to the double balloon is inflated to displace the blood out of the left atrial appendage. In yet another embodiment, the left atrial appendage is flushed with fluid to evacuate the blood out of the left atrial appendage. In another embodiment, suction is applied into the occluded left atrial appendage to generate vacuum in order to better approximate the wall of the left atrial appendage with an ablative surface of the balloon.
Now, at step 3682, an outer balloon of the double balloon catheter is inflated with an insulating fluid such as, for example, carbon dioxide to occlude a portion of the left atrial appendage and displace blood in the left atrial appendage away from an ablation site. In an embodiment, occlusion of the left atrial appendage is documented and confirmed radiologically through dye study. The pressure and volume of the inflated outer balloon are monitored. In an embodiment, the pressure of the inflated outer balloon is maintained below 5 atm.
Thereafter, at step 3684 an inner balloon of the double balloon catheter is inflated with steam or water vapor so that the inflated inner balloon contacts the inflated outer balloon at an ablation zone in the left atrial appendage. In some embodiments, contact of the inner and outer balloons at the ablation zone is documented and confirmed using fluoroscopy, 3D mapping and/or endoscopy. In some embodiments, one or more sensors in the ablation zone are utilized to monitor contact of the inner and outer balloons. In embodiments, the temperature of the inner balloon is monitored.
Subsequently, at step 3686, heat energy is transmitted from the inner balloon through the outer balloon to ablate the left atrial appendage. The temperature and pressure in the outer balloon are monitored to maintain at desired therapeutic values. At step 3688, heat is delivered to the left atrial appendage for a first duration. In some embodiments, the first duration ranges from 5 seconds to 5 minutes.
Optionally, at step 3690, the ablation step 3688 is repeated wherein heat is delivered for a second duration. In some embodiments, the second duration ranges between 50% and 250% of the first duration.
Now, at step 3692, the left atrial appendage is optionally filled with an acellular matrix. Finally, at step 3694, tissue ingrowth is allowed into the acellular matrix to occlude the left atrial appendage. In another embodiment, a stent structure or a scaffolding is inserted into the left atrial appendage to facilitate re-epithelialization or tissue growth.
In some embodiments, the balloon catheter does not have the inner balloon but comprises a distal balloon which is used for ablation of the left atrial appendage while the proximal balloon is used for occlusion of the left atrial appendage ostium. The distal ablating balloon and the inner ablating balloon for this application are either compliant or semi-compliant balloons having a durometer comparable to the outer balloon. In the double balloon configuration, the majority of the anterior hemisphere of the outer balloon occludes the left atrial appendage ostium.
Now, at step 3695c, a balloon of the balloon catheter is inflated with an insulating fluid such as, for example, carbon dioxide to obtain contact with and occlusion of a target site. In an embodiment, occlusion of the target site is documented and confirmed radiologically or through pressure monitoring in the balloon, wherein the pressure is maintained below 5 atm.
Thereafter, at step 3695d, steam or water vapor is passed through a channel in the wall of the balloon to create ablation in the target site or tissue in a desired pattern (such as those shown with reference to
In various embodiments, blood is evacuated from the treatment area prior to initiating therapy with the ablation catheters of the present specification in order to prevent the coagulation of blood. In some embodiments, during an ablation procedure, an amount of blood has been evacuated from the treatment area such that the treatment area, defined as the area of cardiac tissue to be ablated, is covered by less than 100 mL of blood, preferably less than 75 mL of blood, and even more preferably less than 50 mL of blood. In some embodiments, prior to an ablation procedure, a treatment area has 25-100% of blood removed.
In some embodiments, ablation provided by the ablation catheters of the present specification are configured to ablate a treatment area defined as having a width of 1 to 15 mm, and, more preferably, 5 to 10 mm, and having a curved band shape extending around an inner surface of a pulmonary vein and comprising a pulmonary vein ostium.
In some embodiments, in order to manage the shape of the treatment area, the expandable member or outer balloon of the ablation catheters of the present specification, when fully expanded, are configured to exert a pressure in a range of 0.01 to 5 atm within a range of 0 to 10 cm from a central axis of the catheter. In embodiments, where multiple balloons are provided, either balloon may be inflated first.
In embodiments, a saline flow rate in a range of 1 ml/min to 25 ml/min is used to deliver the saline. In embodiments, the power delivered to the electrodes for generating vapor is within a range of 10 W to 800 W. In embodiments, the ablation is performed for a time within a range of 1 second to 600 seconds.
In embodiments, at least a contiguous 25% circumference of a pulmonary vein ostium or atrium around the pulmonary vein is ablated and at least 25% of the thickness of the left atrial wall or pulmonary vein ostium or a portion of pulmonary vein is ablated.
Additionally, in various embodiments, the ablation catheters of the present specification are configured to insulate non-target tissues and blood against excessive heat. In some embodiments, during operation, tissue and/or blood outside the treatment area but within 5 cm of the treatment area experiences a temperature increase of no greater than 20° C. and tissue and/or blood at least 5 cm from the treatment area experiences a temperature increase of no greater than 10° C. for a duration greater than 10 seconds.
In various embodiments, ablation therapy provided by the vapor ablation systems of the present specification is delivered to achieve at least one of the following therapeutic objectives or endpoints for cardiac ablation:
The method of using a double-balloon cardiac ablation catheter in accordance with the various embodiments of the present specification may be broadly described under the tasks of positioning the catheter, occluding, pushing the blood away, creating an ablation zone, and finally monitoring with pacing.
Positioning
At step 36102, a contrast material is injected intravenously so as to enhance real-time imaging of blood flow. At 36104, a guide rail, such as in the form of a wire, may be passed through the vascular system of the patient, into the heart, across the septum, and into the upper pulmonary vein. This wire acts as a guide rail for the subsequent catheters. At 36106, a guide sheath is passed over the guide rail. The purpose of the guide sheath is to provide a constrained path for the ablation catheter. Using a guide sheath provides one dimension of steerability of the catheter, and is therefore useful. The ablation catheter may be forced through an S-shaped path and, when it comes out the other end, the distal tip may be curved in order to provide a second dimension of steerability. At 36108, the ablation catheter is passed over the guide rail and inside the guide sheath. When the distal tip of the ablation catheter is positioned in an antrum, just before the pulmonary vein (PV) ostium (and a guide wire is positioned inside the PV), the guide sheath is retracted to reveal the balloons.
Occlusion
At 36110, the outer balloon is inflated to a pressure within the range of 0.1 to 10 psi, and preferably in a range of 0.5 to 1 psi. Inflation greater than the given range may result in the air or CO2 flowing back through the catheter via an outlet check valve. At 36112, the outer balloon is positioned into mouth of the pulmonary vein by pushing using the guide sheath or shaft of the ablation catheter. At 36114, more contrast may be added to enhance the real-time imaging. The contrast imaging may help determine if the outer balloon is in the right place and if the blood flow is effectively being occluded. An image with having a predefined color, such as white or black, may confirm absence of blood. Radiopaque markers on the surface of the outer balloon or the catheter, if present in accordance with some embodiments of the present specification, allows for visualizing the occlusion under fluoroscopy. Markers may be positioned anywhere. In some embodiments, a marker is positioned on a proximal part of the catheter where the balloon proximally attaches to the catheter, on a distal part of the catheter where the balloon distally attaches to the catheter, or along a length of the catheter between those two points and on the outside of the outer balloon. In an embodiment, a ring of markers extends around where the ablation zone may be. In an embodiment, occlusion of the pulmonary vein is documented and confirmed radiologically.
Pushing Blood Away
At 36116, the guide rail is removed and replaced with a mapping catheter. The mapping (monitoring) catheter is an extended wire with a loop at the end of the wire that is configured to sense electrically active cells. In some embodiments, a pacing catheter is used in place of the mapping catheter. A monitoring catheter passively detects electrical signals. A pacing catheter provides an electrical pulse (pacing pulse) and monitors how that signal propagates through the pulmonary vein. In both cases, the goal is to determine if the ablation has been successful in creating an electrical isolation. In an alternative approach, the mapping/pacing electrode is configured to deploy from a tip of the ablation catheter. The guide rail may be moved through the ablation catheter tip and then retracted. While retracting the guide rail, the guide rail hooks and causes the mapping/pacing electrode to deploy.
Creating Ablation Zone
Once the guide sheath, ablation catheter, and mapping/pacing catheter are in place and the outer balloon is inflated, the inner balloon is then inflated at step 36118. A physician or any other person operating the system in accordance with the present specification, may trigger inflation of the inner balloon by pressing a switch, a button, or a pedal. In response, some amount of air or CO2 may be provided to partially inflate the inner balloon and/or the outer balloon. In case where they are both inflated, they may be inflated either concurrently or sequentially. In some embodiments, the outer balloon is inflated to a pressure in a range of 0.1 to 10 psi. In some embodiments, the inner balloon is inflated to a pressure in a range of 0.5 to 20 psi, and preferably within a range of 2.5 to 3.5 psi. In embodiments, the pressure within the inner balloon is always greater than that of the outer balloon during the step of ablation. In embodiments, the outer balloon is greater in volume to the inner balloon by 3 to 75 cc, and an air gap is present on the distal and proximal ends between the outer balloon and the inner balloon. The air gap provides for an insulation zone distal and proximal to the ablation zone. In embodiments, the insulation zone has a distance ranging from 0.01 mm to 20 mm.
Once the inner balloon is inflated, a generator actives a pump that pushes saline (0.9% saline) through tubing and into the ablation catheter. The amount of saline pushed is sufficient to first wet the electrodes but insufficient to fill the inner balloon. The RF electrodes are then activated to heat the saline. Steam enters the inner balloon and pushes CO2 out of the inner balloon through a one-way check valve. The inner balloon further inflates, due to the influx of steam, and forms a specifically defined ablation zone with the outer balloon. The ablation zone is a portion of the outer balloon surface area that achieves a sufficient temperature to cause the ablation of tissue upon contacting that tissue. The outer balloon surface outside the ablation zone may have a temperature in a range of 37 to 60° C., and preferably in a range of 37 to 40° C., while temperature in the ablation zone may be in a range of 80 to 150° C., and preferably from 90 to 110° C. In embodiments, the ablation zone surface area is less than 50% of outer balloon surface area and at least 5% of outer balloon surface area. In some embodiments, the at least 25% of the surface area of the outer balloon is within the ablation zone.
At step 13120, steam is produced for a pre-defined period of time. The time period may be pre-defined to be in a range from a few seconds to a few minutes. In some embodiments, the range is from 15 seconds to two minutes. In one embodiment, the time period is defined to be of 20 seconds. After the pre-defined period of time, the system shuts off and stops the generation and supply of steam. A therapeutic endpoint to define the period of steaming is to raise endothelium to above 85° C., or to raise temperature of a portion of outer surface of atrium to 45° C. or more, or to a point when pacing is abrupted for more than 2 seconds and, preferably, permanently. The temperature is preferably raised to less than 10% above the esophageal temperature for no more than one minute, for safety purposes. Once therapeutic, safety, or time endpoint is reached, first the electrodes are shut off and then saline is shut off. In some embodiments, a power of 60 W is used by the generator to operate the steam and supply the saline. The wattage may be increased or modified depending on the electrode. In some embodiments, the temperature of the steam may be controlled based on the flow of the saline. As a result, if the flow rate of saline is low, the energy level is adjusted and lowered to prevent low impedance faults.
The saline flow rate may also depend on size of the electrode, including the length, width, and periphery of the electrode; and the power supplied. Generation of steam results in transfer of heat energy from the inner balloon through the outer balloon to ablate the target tissue. In some embodiments, contact of the inner and outer balloons at the ablation zone is documented and confirmed using fluoroscopy, 3D mapping and/or endoscopy. In some embodiments, one or more sensors in the ablation zone are utilized to monitor contact of the inner and outer balloons. In embodiments, the temperature of the inner balloon is monitored. During and after ablation, the temperature and pressure in the outer balloon is monitored to maintain at desired therapeutic values.
At step 36122, electrodes/saline are shut off, resulting in an almost instant collapse of the inner balloon. In some embodiments, at this point CO2 may be automatically injected to maintain a volume of or a pressure in the outer balloon. Volume of the outer balloon is maintained so that the ablation step is repeated (if required) wherein heat is delivered for a second duration. In some embodiments, the second duration ranges between 50% and 250% of the first duration. In one embodiment, the inner balloon is configured to decrease in volume, without applying negative pressure, after terminating RF energy to the electrodes/or flow of saline. In one embodiment, the outer balloon is configured to automatically receive an input of fluid (such as CO2) after terminating electrodes/saline without measuring for pressure, temperature, or volume changes.
Monitoring Through Pacing
At step 13224, successful ablation is confirmed by mapping/pacing. The mapping catheter passively detects electrical signals. The pacing catheter provides an electrical pulse (pacing pulse) and monitors how that signal propagates through the pulmonary vein. In both cases, the goal is to determine if the ablation has been successful in creating an electrical isolation.
At step 13226, the ablation catheter is re-sheathed and positioned out of the way. The guide rail is then repositioned for a different pulmonary vein, in order to repeat the whole process, if required.
In some embodiments, another balloon, in addition to the two (inner and outer) balloons is used for ablation. Referring now to
The configuration of
Example Case Study
In one exemplary case study multiple ablation procedures were conducted in a frozen pig heart. The ablation procedures were conducted using a double balloon cardiac ablation test catheter 3700, shown in
An insufflation port 3720 (at the proximal end of the elongate body 3712) is in fluid communication, via a cooling fluid infusion and suction lumen, with an inflatable outer balloon 3760 attached to the distal end of the elongate body. During operation, a cooling fluid pump which is in data communication with, and controlled by, a controller enables a cooling fluid (such as, but not limited to, water, air or carbon-dioxide) to be pumped into and out of the outer balloon 3760 through the cooling fluid infusion and suction lumen.
A vapor port 3725 (at the proximal end of the elongate body 3712) is in fluid communication, via a vapor lumen, with an inflatable inner balloon 3765 attached to the distal end of the elongate body and positioned within the outer balloon 3760. During operation, a vapor pump which is also in data communication with, and controlled, by the controller enables steam to be infused into the inner balloon 3765 via a plurality of vapor infusion ports positioned on the elongate body 3712 within the inner balloon 3765 causing the inner balloon 3765 to inflate and contact the inflated outer balloon 3760 proximate an area of ablation, thereby creating a hot zone on the outer balloon 3760. A guide wire 3730, shown in
The outer balloon 3760 did not stick to the target tissue during any of the ablation treatments.
In another ablation treatment, the inflated balloons 3760, 3765 were placed in an atrial appendage to create a 30 second ablation (until white discoloration of the tissue was visible). This resulted in full thickness ablation of the target tissue with stiffening of wall and collagen denaturation (at approximately 70 degrees Celsius). During the treatment, surface temperature of the outer balloon 3760 ranged from 85 to 100 degree Celsius.
Further, a macroscopic assessment of the circularity of the ablations was conducted on multiple animal-derived samples. In all cases the ablations were identified to be greater than 75% of the circumference complete, with larger than 50% ablation in the remaining tissue. At least three defined slices of tissue were used for microscopic assessment. The assessment was scored by the following ablation-related coagulation extent (Necrosis/Coagulation) according to the following scale shown in Table 3, reflecting the ablation success:
In the sampled animals, maximal success was found with ablations of 45 seconds (s) and 60 s. Only one attempt of 45 s achieved less than maximal success, owing to a technical malfunction. The results are provided in Table 4, provided below.
The data collected in the above research indicated that ablation scars grow in survival animals for about 48 hours, suggesting that the scores indicated in Table 4 would be closer to complete success in real life.
At least one flexible heating chamber 3830 (such as those described with reference to
Trans-Arterial Vapor Ablation
At least one vapor delivery port 4030 is located at the distal end of the body 4012 and distal to the balloon 4060. The vapor delivery port 4030 is in fluid communication, via a second lumen, with a saline port 4035 at the handle 4025. In some embodiments, at least one flexible heating chamber 4040 (such as those described with reference to
In some embodiments, the at least one flexible heating chamber 4040 is positioned in-line within the second lumen such that the proximal end of the heating chamber 4040 lies proximal from a proximal end of the balloon 4060 and a distal end of the heating chamber 4040 lies distal to a distal end of the balloon 4060. In other words, the proximal and distal ends of the chamber 4040 extend beyond the respective proximal and distal ends of the balloon 4060, in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the at least one flexible heating chamber 4040 is positioned in-line within the second lumen such that the plurality of electrodes 4042 are at least partially inside the balloon 4060.
At step 4110, the balloon 4060 of the catheter 4000 is inflated to occlude a flow of blood into the artery 4106. Optionally, at step 4115, a radiopharmaceutical dye is injected to obtain an arteriogram to check accurate placement of the catheter, to obtain a perfusion scan of the tumor 4107 and to highlight the tumor vasculature. At step 4120, vapor is administered to ablate the artery 4106 supplying blood to the tumor 4107 and an adequacy of ablation is ascertained by measuring the degree of washout of the radiopharmaceutical dye from the tumor vasculature. Optionally, at step 4125, a radiopharmaceutical dye is injected to obtain an arteriogram or perfusion scan to check for adequacy of ablation. If needed, vapor ablation of step 4120 is repeated.
Optionally, at step 4130, a chemotherapeutic, an embolizing or a radioactive agent is administered in conjunction with vapor ablation. Optionally, at step 4135, pressure in the artery 4106 is maintained below 5 atm. In one embodiment, liquid CO2 is insufflated to displace the blood before insufflating vapor. In another embodiment, carbonated saline is used to generate vapor and CO2 simultaneously to ablate an artery. The above device and method can be used to ablate an artery, a vein or a cardiac stricture such as a left atrial appendage.
Too great of a distance of the mapping member from an ablation zone may cause difficulty in pacing or sensing while ablating due to a short length of excitable tissue in the pulmonary vein. Therefore, in some embodiments, a mapping member is configured to be positioned such that the pacing/sensing electrodes are closer to the ablation zone, proximate an upper hemisphere of the outer balloon.
The above examples are merely illustrative of the many applications of the system of the present invention. Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have been described herein, it should be understood that the present invention might be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the present examples and embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention may be modified within the scope of the appended claims.
The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/567,984, entitled “Heated Vapor Ablation Systems and Methods for Treating Cardiac Conditions”, filed on Sep. 11, 2019, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,331,140 on May 17, 2022, which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/600,670, entitled “Catheter with a Double Balloon Structure to Generate and Apply a Heated Ablative Zone to Tissue”, filed on May 19, 2017, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,695,126 on Jun. 30, 2020, which relies on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/425,144, entitled “Methods and Systems for Ablation” and filed on Nov. 22, 2016, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/338,871, entitled “Cooled Coaxial Ablation Catheter” and filed on May 19, 2016, for priority. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/567,984 also relies on U.S. Patent Provisional Application No. 62/729,777, entitled “Cardiac Ablation Systems and Methods”, and filed on Sep. 11, 2018, for priority and further relies on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/844,222, entitled “Vapor Ablation Systems and Methods for Treating Cardiac Conditions” and filed on May 7, 2019, for priority. All of the above referenced applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 408899 | Small | Aug 1889 | A |
| 697181 | Smith | Apr 1902 | A |
| 1719750 | Bridge | Jul 1929 | A |
| 3818913 | Wallach | Jun 1974 | A |
| 3880168 | Berman | Apr 1975 | A |
| 3924628 | Droegemueller | Dec 1975 | A |
| 3930505 | Wallach | Jan 1976 | A |
| 3938502 | Bom | Feb 1976 | A |
| 4024866 | Wallach | May 1977 | A |
| 4083077 | Knight | Apr 1978 | A |
| 4289138 | Halvorsen | Sep 1981 | A |
| RE32204 | Halvorsen | Jul 1986 | E |
| 4672962 | Hershenson | Jun 1987 | A |
| 4672963 | Barken | Jun 1987 | A |
| 4682596 | Bales | Jul 1987 | A |
| 4701587 | Carter | Oct 1987 | A |
| 4748979 | Hershenson | Jun 1988 | A |
| 4773410 | Blackmer | Sep 1988 | A |
| 4793352 | Eichenlaub | Dec 1988 | A |
| 4828544 | Lane | May 1989 | A |
| 4872920 | Flynn | Oct 1989 | A |
| 4898574 | Uchiyama | Feb 1990 | A |
| 4915113 | Holman | Apr 1990 | A |
| 4950266 | Sinofsky | Aug 1990 | A |
| 4950267 | Ishihara | Aug 1990 | A |
| 4976711 | Parins | Dec 1990 | A |
| 4985027 | Dressel | Jan 1991 | A |
| 5006119 | Acker | Apr 1991 | A |
| 5011566 | Hoffman | Apr 1991 | A |
| 5045056 | Behl | Sep 1991 | A |
| 5084043 | Hertzmann | Jan 1992 | A |
| 5084044 | Quint | Jan 1992 | A |
| 5102410 | Dressel | Apr 1992 | A |
| 5112328 | Taboada | May 1992 | A |
| 5122138 | Manwaring | Jun 1992 | A |
| 5147355 | Friedman | Sep 1992 | A |
| 5158536 | Sekins | Oct 1992 | A |
| 5190539 | Fletcher | Mar 1993 | A |
| 5217459 | Kamerling | Jun 1993 | A |
| 5217465 | Steppe | Jun 1993 | A |
| 5222938 | Behl | Jun 1993 | A |
| 5243980 | Mehra | Sep 1993 | A |
| 5263951 | Spears | Nov 1993 | A |
| 5277696 | Hagen | Jan 1994 | A |
| 5298298 | Hoffman | Mar 1994 | A |
| 5312399 | Hakky | May 1994 | A |
| 5318014 | Carter | Jun 1994 | A |
| 5330518 | Neilson | Jul 1994 | A |
| 5331947 | Shturman | Jul 1994 | A |
| 5334190 | Seiler | Aug 1994 | A |
| 5344397 | Heaven | Sep 1994 | A |
| 5348551 | Spears | Sep 1994 | A |
| 5352512 | Hoffman | Oct 1994 | A |
| 5366490 | Edwards | Nov 1994 | A |
| 5370609 | Drasler | Dec 1994 | A |
| 5370675 | Edwards | Dec 1994 | A |
| 5383852 | Stevens-Wright | Jan 1995 | A |
| 5385544 | Edwards | Jan 1995 | A |
| 5405376 | Mulier | Apr 1995 | A |
| 5409453 | Lundquist | Apr 1995 | A |
| 5417686 | Peterson | May 1995 | A |
| 5421819 | Edwards | Jun 1995 | A |
| 5424620 | Cheon | Jun 1995 | A |
| 5425731 | Daniel | Jun 1995 | A |
| 5425931 | Arai | Jun 1995 | A |
| 5433708 | Nichols | Jul 1995 | A |
| 5433739 | Sluijter | Jul 1995 | A |
| 5435805 | Edwards | Jul 1995 | A |
| 5437629 | Goldrath | Aug 1995 | A |
| 5443470 | Stern | Aug 1995 | A |
| 5449380 | Chin | Sep 1995 | A |
| 5451208 | Goldrath | Sep 1995 | A |
| 5462521 | Brucker | Oct 1995 | A |
| 5462527 | Stevens-Wright | Oct 1995 | A |
| 5470308 | Edwards | Nov 1995 | A |
| 5470309 | Edwards | Nov 1995 | A |
| 5482037 | Borghi | Jan 1996 | A |
| 5484400 | Edwards | Jan 1996 | A |
| 5500012 | Brucker | Mar 1996 | A |
| 5503638 | Cooper | Apr 1996 | A |
| 5507784 | Hill | Apr 1996 | A |
| 5524620 | Rosenschein | Jun 1996 | A |
| 5529076 | Schachar | Jun 1996 | A |
| 5531676 | Edwards | Jul 1996 | A |
| 5540658 | Evans | Jul 1996 | A |
| 5542915 | Edwards | Aug 1996 | A |
| 5542916 | Hirsch | Aug 1996 | A |
| 5542928 | Evans | Aug 1996 | A |
| 5545171 | Sharkey | Aug 1996 | A |
| 5549628 | Cooper | Aug 1996 | A |
| 5549644 | Lundquist | Aug 1996 | A |
| 5554110 | Edwards | Sep 1996 | A |
| 5554172 | Horner | Sep 1996 | A |
| 5556377 | Rosen | Sep 1996 | A |
| 5558673 | Edwards | Sep 1996 | A |
| 5562608 | Sekins | Oct 1996 | A |
| 5575772 | Lennox | Nov 1996 | A |
| 5575803 | Cooper | Nov 1996 | A |
| 5584872 | Lafontaine | Dec 1996 | A |
| 5588432 | Crowley | Dec 1996 | A |
| 5588960 | Edwards | Dec 1996 | A |
| 5591125 | Edwards | Jan 1997 | A |
| 5591157 | Hennings | Jan 1997 | A |
| 5591162 | Fletcher | Jan 1997 | A |
| 5599294 | Edwards | Feb 1997 | A |
| 5601591 | Edwards | Feb 1997 | A |
| 5609151 | Mulier | Mar 1997 | A |
| 5616120 | Andrew | Apr 1997 | A |
| 5620440 | Heckele | Apr 1997 | A |
| 5624392 | Saab | Apr 1997 | A |
| 5630794 | Lax | May 1997 | A |
| 5630837 | Crowley | May 1997 | A |
| 5667488 | Lundquist | Sep 1997 | A |
| 5669907 | Platt, Jr. | Sep 1997 | A |
| 5672153 | Lax | Sep 1997 | A |
| 5672290 | Levy | Sep 1997 | A |
| 5674191 | Edwards | Oct 1997 | A |
| 5674217 | Wahlstrom | Oct 1997 | A |
| 5681282 | Eggers | Oct 1997 | A |
| 5683366 | Eggers | Nov 1997 | A |
| 5685878 | Falwell | Nov 1997 | A |
| 5695507 | Auth | Dec 1997 | A |
| 5697281 | Eggers | Dec 1997 | A |
| 5697536 | Eggers | Dec 1997 | A |
| 5697882 | Eggers | Dec 1997 | A |
| 5697909 | Eggers | Dec 1997 | A |
| 5700262 | Acosta | Dec 1997 | A |
| 5707352 | Sekins | Jan 1998 | A |
| 5715817 | Stevens-Wright | Feb 1998 | A |
| 5720718 | Rosen | Feb 1998 | A |
| 5720719 | Edwards | Feb 1998 | A |
| 5730719 | Edwards | Mar 1998 | A |
| 5735811 | Brisken | Apr 1998 | A |
| 5741247 | Rizoiu | Apr 1998 | A |
| 5741248 | Stern | Apr 1998 | A |
| 5743870 | Edwards | Apr 1998 | A |
| 5752965 | Francis | May 1998 | A |
| 5755753 | Knowlton | May 1998 | A |
| 5759158 | Swanson | Jun 1998 | A |
| 5769880 | Truckai | Jun 1998 | A |
| 5782914 | Schankereli | Jul 1998 | A |
| 5785521 | Rizoiu | Jul 1998 | A |
| 5797903 | Swanson | Aug 1998 | A |
| 5800379 | Edwards | Sep 1998 | A |
| 5800482 | Pomeranz | Sep 1998 | A |
| 5800493 | Stevens | Sep 1998 | A |
| 5807249 | Qin | Sep 1998 | A |
| 5810764 | Eggers | Sep 1998 | A |
| 5820580 | Edwards | Oct 1998 | A |
| 5824703 | Clark, Jr. | Oct 1998 | A |
| 5827268 | Laufer | Oct 1998 | A |
| 5830179 | Mikus | Nov 1998 | A |
| 5836906 | Edwards | Nov 1998 | A |
| 5840031 | Crowley | Nov 1998 | A |
| 5840079 | Warman | Nov 1998 | A |
| 5843019 | Eggers | Dec 1998 | A |
| 5843073 | Sinofsky | Dec 1998 | A |
| 5849011 | Jones | Dec 1998 | A |
| 5861005 | Kontos | Jan 1999 | A |
| 5871469 | Eggers | Feb 1999 | A |
| 5871481 | Kannenberg | Feb 1999 | A |
| 5873855 | Eggers | Feb 1999 | A |
| 5873877 | McGaffigan | Feb 1999 | A |
| 5879295 | Li | Mar 1999 | A |
| 5879329 | Ginsburg | Mar 1999 | A |
| 5885243 | Capetan | Mar 1999 | A |
| 5888198 | Eggers | Mar 1999 | A |
| 5891095 | Eggers | Apr 1999 | A |
| 5891134 | Goble | Apr 1999 | A |
| 5891457 | Neuwirth | Apr 1999 | A |
| 5895417 | Pomeranz | Apr 1999 | A |
| 5897553 | Mulier | Apr 1999 | A |
| 5902272 | Eggers | May 1999 | A |
| 5913856 | Chia | Jun 1999 | A |
| 5919188 | Shearon | Jul 1999 | A |
| 5931835 | MacKey | Aug 1999 | A |
| 5935102 | Bowden | Aug 1999 | A |
| 5938660 | Swartz | Aug 1999 | A |
| 5944686 | Patterson | Aug 1999 | A |
| 5944715 | Goble | Aug 1999 | A |
| 5954714 | Saadat | Sep 1999 | A |
| 5957919 | Laufer | Sep 1999 | A |
| 5957922 | Imran | Sep 1999 | A |
| 5964752 | Stone | Oct 1999 | A |
| 5964756 | McGaffigan | Oct 1999 | A |
| 5968037 | Rizoiu | Oct 1999 | A |
| 5976123 | Baumgardner | Nov 1999 | A |
| 5980504 | Sharkey | Nov 1999 | A |
| 5980516 | Mulier | Nov 1999 | A |
| 5986662 | Argiro | Nov 1999 | A |
| 5989212 | Sussman | Nov 1999 | A |
| 5989238 | Ginsburg | Nov 1999 | A |
| 5989249 | Kirwan, Jr. | Nov 1999 | A |
| 5989445 | Wise | Nov 1999 | A |
| 5993462 | Pomeranz | Nov 1999 | A |
| 5997499 | Sussman | Dec 1999 | A |
| 6002955 | Willems | Dec 1999 | A |
| 6004269 | Crowley | Dec 1999 | A |
| 6010500 | Sherman | Jan 2000 | A |
| 6014581 | Whayne | Jan 2000 | A |
| 6015406 | Goble | Jan 2000 | A |
| 6015407 | Rieb | Jan 2000 | A |
| 6016809 | Mulier | Jan 2000 | A |
| 6017361 | Mikus | Jan 2000 | A |
| 6024733 | Eggers | Feb 2000 | A |
| 6027501 | Goble | Feb 2000 | A |
| 6032077 | Pomeranz | Feb 2000 | A |
| 6032674 | Eggers | Mar 2000 | A |
| 6035226 | Panescu | Mar 2000 | A |
| 6036713 | Kieturakis | Mar 2000 | A |
| 6045532 | Eggers | Apr 2000 | A |
| 6045549 | Smethers | Apr 2000 | A |
| 6047700 | Eggers | Apr 2000 | A |
| 6053172 | Hovda | Apr 2000 | A |
| 6053909 | Shadduck | Apr 2000 | A |
| 6056746 | Goble | May 2000 | A |
| 6059011 | Giolo | May 2000 | A |
| 6063079 | Hovda | May 2000 | A |
| 6063081 | Mulier | May 2000 | A |
| 6064902 | Haissaguerre | May 2000 | A |
| 6066132 | Chen | May 2000 | A |
| 6066134 | Eggers | May 2000 | A |
| 6068629 | Haissaguerre | May 2000 | A |
| 6071281 | Burnside | Jun 2000 | A |
| 6074358 | Andrew | Jun 2000 | A |
| 6077257 | Edwards | Jun 2000 | A |
| 6080128 | Sussman | Jun 2000 | A |
| 6080151 | Swartz | Jun 2000 | A |
| 6083255 | Laufer | Jul 2000 | A |
| 6086585 | Hovda | Jul 2000 | A |
| 6095149 | Sharkey | Aug 2000 | A |
| 6099251 | Lafleur | Aug 2000 | A |
| 6102046 | Weinstein | Aug 2000 | A |
| 6102885 | Bass | Aug 2000 | A |
| 6105581 | Eggers | Aug 2000 | A |
| 6106516 | Massengill | Aug 2000 | A |
| 6109268 | Thapliyal | Aug 2000 | A |
| 6110162 | Sussman | Aug 2000 | A |
| 6112123 | Kelleher | Aug 2000 | A |
| 6113593 | Tu | Sep 2000 | A |
| 6113597 | Eggers | Sep 2000 | A |
| 6113722 | Hoffman | Sep 2000 | A |
| 6117109 | Eggers | Sep 2000 | A |
| 6119041 | Pomeranz | Sep 2000 | A |
| 6120496 | Whayne | Sep 2000 | A |
| 6126682 | Sharkey | Oct 2000 | A |
| 6129669 | Panescu | Oct 2000 | A |
| 6130671 | Argiro | Oct 2000 | A |
| 6139538 | Houghton | Oct 2000 | A |
| 6139571 | Fuller | Oct 2000 | A |
| 6149620 | Baker | Nov 2000 | A |
| 6152144 | Lesh | Nov 2000 | A |
| 6156036 | Sussman | Dec 2000 | A |
| 6159194 | Eggers | Dec 2000 | A |
| 6159208 | Hovda | Dec 2000 | A |
| 6162232 | Shadduck | Dec 2000 | A |
| 6168594 | Lafontaine | Jan 2001 | B1 |
| 6174308 | Goble | Jan 2001 | B1 |
| 6176842 | Tachibana | Jan 2001 | B1 |
| 6178354 | Gibson | Jan 2001 | B1 |
| 6179805 | Sussman | Jan 2001 | B1 |
| 6179824 | Eggers | Jan 2001 | B1 |
| 6179836 | Eggers | Jan 2001 | B1 |
| 6183469 | Thapliyal | Feb 2001 | B1 |
| 6190381 | Olsen | Feb 2001 | B1 |
| 6192266 | Dupree | Feb 2001 | B1 |
| 6194066 | Hoffman | Feb 2001 | B1 |
| 6196989 | Padget | Mar 2001 | B1 |
| 6200333 | Laufer | Mar 2001 | B1 |
| 6203542 | Ellsberry | Mar 2001 | B1 |
| 6206847 | Edwards | Mar 2001 | B1 |
| 6206848 | Sussman | Mar 2001 | B1 |
| 6210402 | Olsen | Apr 2001 | B1 |
| 6210404 | Shadduck | Apr 2001 | B1 |
| 6210405 | Goble | Apr 2001 | B1 |
| 6217528 | Koblish | Apr 2001 | B1 |
| 6217607 | Alt | Apr 2001 | B1 |
| 6219059 | Argiro | Apr 2001 | B1 |
| 6224592 | Eggers | May 2001 | B1 |
| 6228078 | Eggers | May 2001 | B1 |
| 6228081 | Goble | May 2001 | B1 |
| 6228082 | Baker | May 2001 | B1 |
| 6231567 | Rizoiu | May 2001 | B1 |
| 6234178 | Goble | May 2001 | B1 |
| 6235020 | Cheng | May 2001 | B1 |
| 6235025 | Swartz | May 2001 | B1 |
| 6238389 | Paddock | May 2001 | B1 |
| 6238391 | Olsen | May 2001 | B1 |
| 6241666 | Pomeranz | Jun 2001 | B1 |
| 6241702 | Lundquist | Jun 2001 | B1 |
| 6245065 | Panescu | Jun 2001 | B1 |
| 6254597 | Rizoiu | Jul 2001 | B1 |
| 6254600 | Willink | Jul 2001 | B1 |
| 6256537 | Stoop | Jul 2001 | B1 |
| 6258087 | Edwards | Jul 2001 | B1 |
| 6261286 | Goble | Jul 2001 | B1 |
| 6261311 | Sharkey | Jul 2001 | B1 |
| 6264650 | Hovda | Jul 2001 | B1 |
| 6264651 | Underwood | Jul 2001 | B1 |
| 6264652 | Eggers | Jul 2001 | B1 |
| 6264654 | Swartz | Jul 2001 | B1 |
| 6267760 | Swanson | Jul 2001 | B1 |
| 6270476 | Santoianni | Aug 2001 | B1 |
| 6270515 | Linden | Aug 2001 | B1 |
| 6277112 | Underwood | Aug 2001 | B1 |
| 6277114 | Bullivant | Aug 2001 | B1 |
| 6277130 | Shadduck | Aug 2001 | B1 |
| 6283961 | Underwood | Sep 2001 | B1 |
| 6283989 | Laufer | Sep 2001 | B1 |
| 6287274 | Sussman | Sep 2001 | B1 |
| 6287301 | Thompson | Sep 2001 | B1 |
| 6287320 | Slepian | Sep 2001 | B1 |
| 6290715 | Sharkey | Sep 2001 | B1 |
| 6293942 | Goble | Sep 2001 | B1 |
| 6296636 | Cheng | Oct 2001 | B1 |
| 6296638 | Davison | Oct 2001 | B1 |
| 6299620 | Shadduck | Oct 2001 | B1 |
| 6299633 | Laufer | Oct 2001 | B1 |
| 6300150 | Venkatasubramanian | Oct 2001 | B1 |
| 6306129 | Little | Oct 2001 | B1 |
| 6306134 | Goble | Oct 2001 | B1 |
| 6309375 | Glines | Oct 2001 | B1 |
| 6309387 | Eggers | Oct 2001 | B1 |
| 6312408 | Eggers | Nov 2001 | B1 |
| 6312474 | Francis | Nov 2001 | B1 |
| 6315755 | Sussman | Nov 2001 | B1 |
| 6319222 | Andrew | Nov 2001 | B1 |
| 6322549 | Eggers | Nov 2001 | B1 |
| 6327505 | Medhkour | Dec 2001 | B1 |
| 6331171 | Cohen | Dec 2001 | B1 |
| 6355032 | Hovda | Mar 2002 | B1 |
| 6356790 | Maguire | Mar 2002 | B1 |
| 6358248 | Mulier | Mar 2002 | B1 |
| 6363937 | Hovda | Apr 2002 | B1 |
| 6364877 | Goble | Apr 2002 | B1 |
| 6369465 | Swanson | Apr 2002 | B1 |
| 6375635 | Moutafis | Apr 2002 | B1 |
| 6379350 | Sharkey | Apr 2002 | B1 |
| 6379351 | Thapliyal | Apr 2002 | B1 |
| 6389311 | Whayne | May 2002 | B1 |
| 6391025 | Weinstein | May 2002 | B1 |
| 6394949 | Crowley | May 2002 | B1 |
| 6394996 | Lawrence | May 2002 | B1 |
| 6398759 | Sussman | Jun 2002 | B1 |
| 6398775 | Perkins | Jun 2002 | B1 |
| 6409723 | Edwards | Jun 2002 | B1 |
| 6416505 | Fleischman | Jul 2002 | B1 |
| 6416507 | Eggers | Jul 2002 | B1 |
| 6416508 | Eggers | Jul 2002 | B1 |
| 6416509 | Goble | Jul 2002 | B1 |
| 6419673 | Edwards | Jul 2002 | B1 |
| 6423027 | Gonon | Jul 2002 | B1 |
| 6428537 | Swanson | Aug 2002 | B1 |
| 6432103 | Ellsberry | Aug 2002 | B1 |
| 6434424 | Igel | Aug 2002 | B1 |
| 6438407 | Ousdigian | Aug 2002 | B1 |
| 6440127 | McGovern | Aug 2002 | B2 |
| 6443950 | Sutton | Sep 2002 | B1 |
| 6458231 | Wapner | Oct 2002 | B1 |
| 6461296 | Desai | Oct 2002 | B1 |
| 6461350 | Underwood | Oct 2002 | B1 |
| 6461354 | Olsen | Oct 2002 | B1 |
| 6461356 | Patterson | Oct 2002 | B1 |
| 6464694 | Massengill | Oct 2002 | B1 |
| 6464695 | Hovda | Oct 2002 | B2 |
| 6464699 | Swanson | Oct 2002 | B1 |
| 6464700 | Koblish | Oct 2002 | B1 |
| 6468270 | Hovda | Oct 2002 | B1 |
| 6468271 | Wentzel | Oct 2002 | B1 |
| 6468272 | Koblish | Oct 2002 | B1 |
| 6468274 | Alleyne | Oct 2002 | B1 |
| 6468313 | Claeson | Oct 2002 | B1 |
| 6482201 | Olsen | Nov 2002 | B1 |
| 6482202 | Goble | Nov 2002 | B1 |
| 6488673 | Laufer | Dec 2002 | B1 |
| 6488680 | Francischelli | Dec 2002 | B1 |
| 6491710 | Satake | Dec 2002 | B2 |
| 6493589 | Medhkour | Dec 2002 | B1 |
| 6494880 | Swanson | Dec 2002 | B1 |
| 6500144 | Russell | Dec 2002 | B1 |
| 6500173 | Underwood | Dec 2002 | B2 |
| 6508816 | Shadduck | Jan 2003 | B2 |
| 6510854 | Goble | Jan 2003 | B2 |
| 6514245 | Holland | Feb 2003 | B1 |
| 6517568 | Sharkey | Feb 2003 | B1 |
| 6522930 | Schaer | Feb 2003 | B1 |
| 6527761 | Soltesz | Mar 2003 | B1 |
| 6527766 | Bair | Mar 2003 | B1 |
| 6528771 | Matsen | Mar 2003 | B1 |
| 6540741 | Underwood | Apr 2003 | B1 |
| 6540743 | Olson | Apr 2003 | B2 |
| 6542781 | Koblish | Apr 2003 | B1 |
| 6544211 | Andrew | Apr 2003 | B1 |
| 6544248 | Bass | Apr 2003 | B1 |
| 6544261 | Ellsberry | Apr 2003 | B2 |
| 6547810 | Sharkey | Apr 2003 | B1 |
| 6551271 | Nguyen | Apr 2003 | B2 |
| 6551274 | Heiner | Apr 2003 | B2 |
| 6551300 | McGaffigan | Apr 2003 | B1 |
| 6551309 | Lepivert | Apr 2003 | B1 |
| 6557559 | Eggers | May 2003 | B1 |
| 6558314 | Adelman | May 2003 | B1 |
| 6558379 | Batchelor | May 2003 | B1 |
| 6564098 | Kerver | May 2003 | B1 |
| 6566636 | Bentley | May 2003 | B1 |
| 6569146 | Werner | May 2003 | B1 |
| 6569162 | He | May 2003 | B2 |
| 6572611 | Falwell | Jun 2003 | B1 |
| 6575929 | Sussman | Jun 2003 | B2 |
| 6575932 | Obrien | Jun 2003 | B1 |
| 6575968 | Eggers | Jun 2003 | B1 |
| 6579270 | Sussman | Jun 2003 | B2 |
| 6579288 | Swanson | Jun 2003 | B1 |
| 6582423 | Thapliyal | Jun 2003 | B1 |
| 6585639 | Kotmel | Jul 2003 | B1 |
| 6585732 | Mulier | Jul 2003 | B2 |
| 6588613 | Pechenik | Jul 2003 | B1 |
| 6589201 | Sussman | Jul 2003 | B1 |
| 6589204 | Sussman | Jul 2003 | B1 |
| 6589237 | Woloszko | Jul 2003 | B2 |
| 6592594 | Rimbaugh | Jul 2003 | B2 |
| 6595989 | Schaer | Jul 2003 | B1 |
| 6595990 | Weinstein | Jul 2003 | B1 |
| 6599311 | Biggs | Jul 2003 | B1 |
| 6602248 | Sharps | Aug 2003 | B1 |
| 6605084 | Acker | Aug 2003 | B2 |
| 6605087 | Swartz | Aug 2003 | B2 |
| 6607529 | Jones | Aug 2003 | B1 |
| 6610043 | Ingenito | Aug 2003 | B1 |
| 6610055 | Swanson | Aug 2003 | B1 |
| 6613046 | Jenkins | Sep 2003 | B1 |
| 6620130 | Ginsburg | Sep 2003 | B1 |
| 6620155 | Underwood | Sep 2003 | B2 |
| 6620159 | Hegde | Sep 2003 | B2 |
| 6623444 | Babaev | Sep 2003 | B2 |
| 6629974 | Penny | Oct 2003 | B2 |
| 6632193 | Davison | Oct 2003 | B1 |
| 6632220 | Eggers | Oct 2003 | B1 |
| 6634363 | Danek | Oct 2003 | B1 |
| 6638278 | Falwell | Oct 2003 | B2 |
| 6640120 | Swanson | Oct 2003 | B1 |
| 6647300 | Balasubramanian | Nov 2003 | B1 |
| 6648847 | Sussman | Nov 2003 | B2 |
| 6650937 | Kerver | Nov 2003 | B2 |
| 6652555 | Vantassel | Nov 2003 | B1 |
| 6652594 | Francis | Nov 2003 | B2 |
| 6653525 | Ingenito | Nov 2003 | B2 |
| 6656174 | Hegde | Dec 2003 | B1 |
| 6659106 | Hovda | Dec 2003 | B1 |
| 6659981 | Stewart | Dec 2003 | B2 |
| 6666863 | Wentzel | Dec 2003 | B2 |
| 6666864 | Bencini | Dec 2003 | B2 |
| 6668195 | Warman | Dec 2003 | B2 |
| 6669685 | Rizoiu | Dec 2003 | B1 |
| 6669693 | Friedman | Dec 2003 | B2 |
| 6669694 | Shadduck | Dec 2003 | B2 |
| 6673071 | Vandusseldorp | Jan 2004 | B2 |
| 6676628 | Sussman | Jan 2004 | B2 |
| 6676629 | Andrew | Jan 2004 | B2 |
| 6679264 | Deem | Jan 2004 | B1 |
| 6679269 | Swanson | Jan 2004 | B2 |
| 6679879 | Shadduck | Jan 2004 | B2 |
| 6682520 | Ingenito | Jan 2004 | B2 |
| 6692491 | Phan | Feb 2004 | B1 |
| 6692494 | Cooper | Feb 2004 | B1 |
| 6695785 | Brisken | Feb 2004 | B2 |
| 6695839 | Sharkey | Feb 2004 | B2 |
| 6699244 | Carranza | Mar 2004 | B2 |
| 6706038 | Francischelli | Mar 2004 | B2 |
| 6708056 | Duchon | Mar 2004 | B2 |
| 6711444 | Koblish | Mar 2004 | B2 |
| 6712811 | Underwood | Mar 2004 | B2 |
| 6712812 | Roschak | Mar 2004 | B2 |
| 6716190 | Glines | Apr 2004 | B1 |
| 6716252 | Lazarovitz | Apr 2004 | B2 |
| 6718206 | Casavant | Apr 2004 | B2 |
| 6719738 | Mehier | Apr 2004 | B2 |
| 6719754 | Underwood | Apr 2004 | B2 |
| 6719755 | Sliwa, Jr. | Apr 2004 | B2 |
| 6723064 | Babaev | Apr 2004 | B2 |
| 6726684 | Woloszko | Apr 2004 | B1 |
| 6726696 | Houser | Apr 2004 | B1 |
| 6726708 | Lasheras | Apr 2004 | B2 |
| 6730079 | Lovewell | May 2004 | B2 |
| 6734405 | Centanni | May 2004 | B2 |
| 6740082 | Shadduck | May 2004 | B2 |
| 6745080 | Koblish | Jun 2004 | B2 |
| 6746447 | Davison | Jun 2004 | B2 |
| 6749604 | Eggers | Jun 2004 | B1 |
| 6755790 | Stewart | Jun 2004 | B2 |
| 6755794 | Soukup | Jun 2004 | B2 |
| 6758846 | Goble | Jul 2004 | B2 |
| 6760616 | Hoey | Jul 2004 | B2 |
| 6763836 | Tasto | Jul 2004 | B2 |
| 6764487 | Mulier | Jul 2004 | B2 |
| 6766202 | Underwood | Jul 2004 | B2 |
| 6770070 | Balbierz | Aug 2004 | B1 |
| 6770071 | Woloszko | Aug 2004 | B2 |
| 6772012 | Ricart | Aug 2004 | B2 |
| 6773431 | Eggers | Aug 2004 | B2 |
| 6776765 | Soukup | Aug 2004 | B2 |
| 6776780 | Mulier | Aug 2004 | B2 |
| 6780178 | Palanker | Aug 2004 | B2 |
| 6780180 | Goble | Aug 2004 | B1 |
| 6788969 | Dupree | Sep 2004 | B2 |
| 6805130 | Tasto | Oct 2004 | B2 |
| 6813520 | Truckai | Nov 2004 | B2 |
| 6814731 | Swanson | Nov 2004 | B2 |
| 6824515 | Suorsa | Nov 2004 | B2 |
| 6827718 | Hutchins | Dec 2004 | B2 |
| 6832996 | Woloszko | Dec 2004 | B2 |
| 6837884 | Woloszko | Jan 2005 | B2 |
| 6837886 | Collins | Jan 2005 | B2 |
| 6837887 | Woloszko | Jan 2005 | B2 |
| 6837888 | Ciarrocca | Jan 2005 | B2 |
| 6852108 | Barry | Feb 2005 | B2 |
| 6860847 | Alferness | Mar 2005 | B2 |
| 6860868 | Sussman | Mar 2005 | B1 |
| 6875194 | MacKool | Apr 2005 | B2 |
| 6887238 | Jahns | May 2005 | B2 |
| 6893438 | Hall | May 2005 | B2 |
| 6896672 | Eggers | May 2005 | B1 |
| 6896674 | Woloszko | May 2005 | B1 |
| 6896675 | Leung | May 2005 | B2 |
| 6901291 | Stoop | May 2005 | B2 |
| 6901927 | Deem | Jun 2005 | B2 |
| 6904909 | Andreas | Jun 2005 | B2 |
| 6905475 | Hauschild | Jun 2005 | B2 |
| 6905496 | Ellman | Jun 2005 | B1 |
| 6907881 | Suki | Jun 2005 | B2 |
| 6908464 | Jenkins | Jun 2005 | B2 |
| 6911028 | Shadduck | Jun 2005 | B2 |
| 6913604 | Mihalik | Jul 2005 | B2 |
| 6915806 | Pacek | Jul 2005 | B2 |
| 6916317 | Falwell | Jul 2005 | B2 |
| 6916318 | Francischelli | Jul 2005 | B2 |
| 6917834 | Koblish | Jul 2005 | B2 |
| 6918903 | Bass | Jul 2005 | B2 |
| 6921385 | Clements | Jul 2005 | B2 |
| 6926712 | Phan | Aug 2005 | B2 |
| 6926714 | Sra | Aug 2005 | B1 |
| 6929640 | Underwood | Aug 2005 | B1 |
| 6929642 | Xiao | Aug 2005 | B2 |
| 6939350 | Phan | Sep 2005 | B2 |
| 6949096 | Davison | Sep 2005 | B2 |
| 6949097 | Stewart | Sep 2005 | B2 |
| 6949098 | Mulier | Sep 2005 | B2 |
| 6950689 | Willis | Sep 2005 | B1 |
| 6952615 | Satake | Oct 2005 | B2 |
| 6955674 | Eick | Oct 2005 | B2 |
| 6955675 | Jain | Oct 2005 | B2 |
| 6960182 | Moutafis | Nov 2005 | B2 |
| 6960203 | Xiao | Nov 2005 | B2 |
| 6960204 | Eggers | Nov 2005 | B2 |
| 6969376 | Takagi | Nov 2005 | B2 |
| 6972014 | Eum | Dec 2005 | B2 |
| 6974464 | Quijano | Dec 2005 | B2 |
| 6978184 | Marcus | Dec 2005 | B1 |
| 6979329 | Burnside | Dec 2005 | B2 |
| 6986769 | Nelson | Jan 2006 | B2 |
| 6989010 | Francischelli | Jan 2006 | B2 |
| 6991028 | Comeaux | Jan 2006 | B2 |
| 6991631 | Woloszko | Jan 2006 | B2 |
| 6994092 | Van Der Burg | Feb 2006 | B2 |
| 7004940 | Ryan | Feb 2006 | B2 |
| 7004941 | Tvinnereim | Feb 2006 | B2 |
| 7008401 | Thompson | Mar 2006 | B2 |
| 7008417 | Eick | Mar 2006 | B2 |
| 7011655 | Thompson | Mar 2006 | B2 |
| 7011671 | Welch | Mar 2006 | B2 |
| 7014652 | Cioanta | Mar 2006 | B2 |
| 7022088 | Keast | Apr 2006 | B2 |
| 7025762 | Johnston | Apr 2006 | B2 |
| 7031504 | Argiro | Apr 2006 | B1 |
| 7047068 | Haissaguerre | May 2006 | B2 |
| 7047074 | Connelly | May 2006 | B2 |
| 7058443 | Struble | Jun 2006 | B2 |
| 7079892 | Dahl | Jul 2006 | B2 |
| 7081115 | Taimisto | Jul 2006 | B2 |
| 7082330 | Stadler | Jul 2006 | B2 |
| 7083612 | Littrup | Aug 2006 | B2 |
| 7083614 | Fjield | Aug 2006 | B2 |
| 7087040 | McGuckin, Jr. | Aug 2006 | B2 |
| 7089064 | Manker | Aug 2006 | B2 |
| 7094215 | Davison | Aug 2006 | B2 |
| 7101367 | Xiao | Sep 2006 | B2 |
| 7101368 | Lafontaine | Sep 2006 | B2 |
| 7104986 | Hovda | Sep 2006 | B2 |
| 7105007 | Hibler | Sep 2006 | B2 |
| 7107098 | Sharma | Sep 2006 | B2 |
| 7112198 | Satake | Sep 2006 | B2 |
| 7113838 | Funk | Sep 2006 | B2 |
| RE39358 | Goble | Oct 2006 | E |
| 7128748 | Mooradian | Oct 2006 | B2 |
| 7130697 | Chornenky | Oct 2006 | B2 |
| 7131969 | Hovda | Nov 2006 | B1 |
| 7136064 | Zuiderveld | Nov 2006 | B2 |
| 7144402 | Kuesteriii | Dec 2006 | B2 |
| 7144588 | Oray | Dec 2006 | B2 |
| 7153301 | Swartz | Dec 2006 | B2 |
| 7166105 | Mulier | Jan 2007 | B2 |
| 7169143 | Eggers | Jan 2007 | B2 |
| 7169164 | Borillo | Jan 2007 | B2 |
| 7172589 | Lafontaine | Feb 2007 | B2 |
| 7175619 | Koblish | Feb 2007 | B2 |
| 7175734 | Stewart | Feb 2007 | B2 |
| 7179255 | Lettice | Feb 2007 | B2 |
| 7181273 | Havel | Feb 2007 | B2 |
| 7182764 | Jenkins | Feb 2007 | B2 |
| 7186234 | Dahla | Mar 2007 | B2 |
| 7186250 | Koblish | Mar 2007 | B2 |
| 7189227 | Lafontaine | Mar 2007 | B2 |
| 7192400 | Campbell | Mar 2007 | B2 |
| 7192428 | Eggers | Mar 2007 | B2 |
| 7201750 | Eggers | Apr 2007 | B1 |
| 7217268 | Eggers | May 2007 | B2 |
| 7225040 | Eller | May 2007 | B2 |
| 7233820 | Gilboa | Jun 2007 | B2 |
| 7235070 | Vanney | Jun 2007 | B2 |
| 7237555 | Kochamba | Jul 2007 | B2 |
| 7241293 | Davison | Jul 2007 | B2 |
| 7255695 | Falwell | Aug 2007 | B2 |
| 7261709 | Swoyer | Aug 2007 | B2 |
| 7261710 | Elmouelhi | Aug 2007 | B2 |
| 7270658 | Woloszko | Sep 2007 | B2 |
| 7270659 | Ricart | Sep 2007 | B2 |
| 7270661 | Dahla | Sep 2007 | B2 |
| 7276063 | Davison | Oct 2007 | B2 |
| 7280881 | Eller | Oct 2007 | B2 |
| 7285119 | Stewart | Oct 2007 | B2 |
| 7297143 | Woloszko | Nov 2007 | B2 |
| 7297145 | Woloszko | Nov 2007 | B2 |
| 7303558 | Swanson | Dec 2007 | B2 |
| 7311705 | Sra | Dec 2007 | B2 |
| 7318821 | Lalonde | Jan 2008 | B2 |
| 7320325 | Duchon | Jan 2008 | B2 |
| 7321794 | Thacker | Jan 2008 | B2 |
| 7322973 | Nahon | Jan 2008 | B2 |
| 7331958 | Falwell | Feb 2008 | B2 |
| 7335195 | Mehier | Feb 2008 | B2 |
| 7335197 | Sage | Feb 2008 | B2 |
| 7338434 | Haarstad | Mar 2008 | B1 |
| 7340307 | Maguire | Mar 2008 | B2 |
| 7347856 | Wittenberger | Mar 2008 | B2 |
| 7347858 | Francischelli | Mar 2008 | B2 |
| 7347859 | Garabedian | Mar 2008 | B2 |
| 7357800 | Swanson | Apr 2008 | B2 |
| 7364546 | Panescu | Apr 2008 | B2 |
| 7364578 | Francischelli | Apr 2008 | B2 |
| 7364579 | Mulier | Apr 2008 | B2 |
| 7367972 | Francischelli | May 2008 | B2 |
| 7371233 | Swanson | May 2008 | B2 |
| 7410486 | Fuimaono | Aug 2008 | B2 |
| 7419500 | Marko | Sep 2008 | B2 |
| 7422588 | Mulier | Sep 2008 | B2 |
| 7422591 | Phan | Sep 2008 | B2 |
| 7429262 | Woloszko | Sep 2008 | B2 |
| 7435250 | Francischelli | Oct 2008 | B2 |
| 7438714 | Phan | Oct 2008 | B2 |
| 7450996 | MacDonald | Nov 2008 | B2 |
| 7455669 | Swanson | Nov 2008 | B2 |
| 7470228 | Connors | Dec 2008 | B2 |
| 7470272 | Mulier | Dec 2008 | B2 |
| 7474909 | Phan | Jan 2009 | B2 |
| 7488289 | Suorsa | Feb 2009 | B2 |
| 7503904 | Choi | Mar 2009 | B2 |
| 7512445 | Truckai | Mar 2009 | B2 |
| 7517315 | Willis | Apr 2009 | B2 |
| 7549987 | Shadduck | Jun 2009 | B2 |
| 7549988 | Eberl | Jun 2009 | B2 |
| 7559367 | Vinegar | Jul 2009 | B2 |
| 7582084 | Swanson | Sep 2009 | B2 |
| 7585295 | Ben-Nun | Sep 2009 | B2 |
| 7585310 | Phan | Sep 2009 | B2 |
| 7597147 | Vitek | Oct 2009 | B2 |
| 7597704 | Frazier | Oct 2009 | B2 |
| 7608072 | Swanson | Oct 2009 | B2 |
| 7610078 | Willis | Oct 2009 | B2 |
| 7633502 | Willis | Dec 2009 | B2 |
| 7647124 | Williams | Jan 2010 | B2 |
| 7650186 | Hastings | Jan 2010 | B2 |
| 7662151 | Crompton, Jr. | Feb 2010 | B2 |
| 7674256 | Marrouche | Mar 2010 | B2 |
| 7674259 | Shadduck | Mar 2010 | B2 |
| 7678108 | Chrisitian | Mar 2010 | B2 |
| 7678111 | Mulier | Mar 2010 | B2 |
| 7706860 | McGee | Apr 2010 | B2 |
| 7706882 | Francischelli | Apr 2010 | B2 |
| 7711421 | Shafer | May 2010 | B2 |
| 7713282 | Frazier | May 2010 | B2 |
| 7720520 | Willis | May 2010 | B2 |
| 7722604 | Brown, III | May 2010 | B2 |
| 7727228 | Abboud | Jun 2010 | B2 |
| 7727231 | Swanson | Jun 2010 | B2 |
| 7734346 | Van Bolhuis | Jun 2010 | B2 |
| 7735493 | Van Der Burg | Jun 2010 | B2 |
| 7740623 | Nayak | Jun 2010 | B2 |
| 7740627 | Gammie | Jun 2010 | B2 |
| 7753871 | Mehier | Jul 2010 | B2 |
| 7758580 | Rothstein | Jul 2010 | B2 |
| 7785289 | Rios | Aug 2010 | B2 |
| 7785323 | Jenkins | Aug 2010 | B2 |
| 7792580 | Borowitz | Sep 2010 | B2 |
| 7794454 | Abboud | Sep 2010 | B2 |
| 7794460 | Mulier | Sep 2010 | B2 |
| 7818039 | Jahns | Oct 2010 | B2 |
| 7824399 | Francischelli | Nov 2010 | B2 |
| 7831133 | Vinegar | Nov 2010 | B2 |
| 7837676 | Sinelnikov | Nov 2010 | B2 |
| 7846157 | Kozel | Dec 2010 | B2 |
| 7850685 | Kunis | Dec 2010 | B2 |
| 7861725 | Swanson | Jan 2011 | B2 |
| 7862561 | Swanson | Jan 2011 | B2 |
| 7862562 | Eberl | Jan 2011 | B2 |
| 7871409 | Briscoe | Jan 2011 | B2 |
| 7877137 | Whitehurst | Jan 2011 | B2 |
| 7892229 | Shadduck | Feb 2011 | B2 |
| 7896871 | Bhushan | Mar 2011 | B2 |
| 7913698 | Barry | Mar 2011 | B2 |
| 7922714 | Stevens-Wright | Apr 2011 | B2 |
| 7937161 | Hastings | May 2011 | B2 |
| 7938828 | Koblish | May 2011 | B2 |
| 7953475 | Harlev | May 2011 | B2 |
| 7955325 | Wittenberger | Jun 2011 | B2 |
| 7959630 | Taimisto | Jun 2011 | B2 |
| 7963963 | Francischelli | Jun 2011 | B2 |
| 7972327 | Eberl | Jul 2011 | B2 |
| 7972359 | Kreidler | Jul 2011 | B2 |
| 7975703 | Jahns | Jul 2011 | B2 |
| 7976541 | McGee | Jul 2011 | B2 |
| 7993323 | Barry | Aug 2011 | B2 |
| 8002738 | White | Aug 2011 | B2 |
| 8007497 | Young | Aug 2011 | B2 |
| RE42724 | Falwell | Sep 2011 | E |
| 8014711 | Ito | Sep 2011 | B2 |
| 8016822 | Swanson | Sep 2011 | B2 |
| 8016823 | Shadduck | Sep 2011 | B2 |
| 8027791 | Soykan | Sep 2011 | B2 |
| 8050774 | Kveen | Nov 2011 | B2 |
| 8052676 | Swanson | Nov 2011 | B2 |
| 8052715 | Quinn | Nov 2011 | B2 |
| 8055357 | Swanson | Nov 2011 | B2 |
| 8057466 | Soykan | Nov 2011 | B2 |
| RE43007 | Lalonde | Dec 2011 | E |
| 8080006 | Lafontaine | Dec 2011 | B2 |
| 8086293 | Boseck | Dec 2011 | B2 |
| 8092444 | Lentz | Jan 2012 | B2 |
| 8116884 | Jung | Feb 2012 | B2 |
| 8123741 | Marrouche | Feb 2012 | B2 |
| 8142424 | Swanson | Mar 2012 | B2 |
| 8142470 | Quinn | Mar 2012 | B2 |
| 8145113 | Murakami | Mar 2012 | B2 |
| 8147532 | Barry | Apr 2012 | B2 |
| 8162929 | Lentz | Apr 2012 | B2 |
| 8162941 | Christian | Apr 2012 | B2 |
| 8165691 | Ellingson | Apr 2012 | B2 |
| 8172837 | Rothstein | May 2012 | B2 |
| 8187269 | Shadduck | May 2012 | B2 |
| 8197496 | Roue | Jun 2012 | B2 |
| 8197527 | Borillo | Jun 2012 | B2 |
| 8216224 | Morris | Jul 2012 | B2 |
| 8221402 | Francischelli | Jul 2012 | B2 |
| 8221411 | Francischelli | Jul 2012 | B2 |
| 8221445 | Van Tassel | Jul 2012 | B2 |
| 8224165 | Vinegar | Jul 2012 | B2 |
| 8226637 | Satake | Jul 2012 | B2 |
| 8229588 | Tsen | Jul 2012 | B2 |
| 8231617 | Satake | Jul 2012 | B2 |
| 8235976 | Lafontaine | Aug 2012 | B2 |
| 8251985 | Hoey | Aug 2012 | B2 |
| 8260422 | Ellingson | Sep 2012 | B2 |
| 8272383 | Hoey | Sep 2012 | B2 |
| 8273079 | Hoey | Sep 2012 | B2 |
| 8273084 | Kunis | Sep 2012 | B2 |
| 8290600 | Hastings | Oct 2012 | B2 |
| 8298219 | Lalonde | Oct 2012 | B2 |
| 8306612 | MacAdam | Nov 2012 | B2 |
| 8313485 | Shadduck | Nov 2012 | B2 |
| 8322335 | Barry | Dec 2012 | B2 |
| 8332035 | Iaizzo | Dec 2012 | B2 |
| 8333757 | Mazzone | Dec 2012 | B2 |
| 8333764 | Francischelli | Dec 2012 | B2 |
| 8353900 | Jung | Jan 2013 | B2 |
| 8355623 | Vinegar | Jan 2013 | B2 |
| 8361059 | Abboud | Jan 2013 | B2 |
| 8372065 | Hoey | Feb 2013 | B2 |
| 8388611 | Shadduck | Mar 2013 | B2 |
| 8401644 | Gunderson | Mar 2013 | B2 |
| 8414573 | Francischelli | Apr 2013 | B2 |
| 8419723 | Shadduck | Apr 2013 | B2 |
| 8425456 | Mihalik | Apr 2013 | B2 |
| 8437840 | Patel | May 2013 | B2 |
| 8437870 | Tsai | May 2013 | B2 |
| 8444636 | Shadduck | May 2013 | B2 |
| 8454587 | Lalonde | Jun 2013 | B2 |
| 8460282 | McAuley | Jun 2013 | B2 |
| 8465481 | Mazzone | Jun 2013 | B2 |
| 8475440 | Abboud | Jul 2013 | B2 |
| 8480664 | Watson | Jul 2013 | B2 |
| 8504132 | Friedman | Aug 2013 | B2 |
| 8512326 | Shadduck | Aug 2013 | B2 |
| 8512337 | Francischelli | Aug 2013 | B2 |
| 8521074 | Murakami | Aug 2013 | B2 |
| 8521281 | Patel | Aug 2013 | B2 |
| 8527027 | Falwell | Sep 2013 | B2 |
| 8556892 | Hong | Oct 2013 | B2 |
| 8571626 | Lau | Oct 2013 | B2 |
| 8574226 | Shadduck | Nov 2013 | B2 |
| 8579888 | Hoey | Nov 2013 | B2 |
| 8579892 | Hoey | Nov 2013 | B2 |
| 8579893 | Hoey | Nov 2013 | B2 |
| 8585645 | Barry | Nov 2013 | B2 |
| 8585692 | Shadduck | Nov 2013 | B2 |
| 8591504 | Tin | Nov 2013 | B2 |
| 8606369 | Williams | Dec 2013 | B2 |
| 8615287 | Harlev | Dec 2013 | B2 |
| 8617149 | Lafontaine | Dec 2013 | B2 |
| 8617152 | Werneth | Dec 2013 | B2 |
| 8623010 | Ocel | Jan 2014 | B2 |
| 8632529 | Bencini | Jan 2014 | B2 |
| 8632530 | Hoey | Jan 2014 | B2 |
| 8641711 | Kelly | Feb 2014 | B2 |
| 8642747 | Sharma | Feb 2014 | B2 |
| 8644932 | Seifert | Feb 2014 | B2 |
| 8647336 | Werneth | Feb 2014 | B2 |
| 8647339 | Satake | Feb 2014 | B2 |
| 8663245 | Francischelli | Mar 2014 | B2 |
| 8679104 | Abboud | Mar 2014 | B2 |
| 8682436 | Ghosh | Mar 2014 | B2 |
| 8685055 | Vantassel | Apr 2014 | B2 |
| 8688469 | Ziegler | Apr 2014 | B2 |
| 8700120 | Koblish | Apr 2014 | B2 |
| 8702693 | Subramaniam | Apr 2014 | B2 |
| 8702696 | White | Apr 2014 | B2 |
| 8706260 | Stewart | Apr 2014 | B2 |
| 8715274 | Watson | May 2014 | B2 |
| 8721632 | Hoey | May 2014 | B2 |
| 8727983 | Kinnison | May 2014 | B2 |
| 8734380 | Barry | May 2014 | B2 |
| 8744578 | Ellingson | Jun 2014 | B2 |
| 8744601 | Spotnitz | Jun 2014 | B2 |
| 8747352 | Lalonde | Jun 2014 | B1 |
| 8758341 | Shadduck | Jun 2014 | B2 |
| 8761626 | Seo | Jun 2014 | B2 |
| 8764740 | Watson | Jul 2014 | B2 |
| 8764745 | Malewicz | Jul 2014 | B2 |
| 8774909 | Patel | Jul 2014 | B2 |
| 8790300 | Tun | Jul 2014 | B2 |
| 8795271 | Koblish | Aug 2014 | B2 |
| 8798706 | Kim | Aug 2014 | B2 |
| 8801702 | Hoey | Aug 2014 | B2 |
| 8805466 | Salahieh | Aug 2014 | B2 |
| 8805496 | Ellingson | Aug 2014 | B2 |
| 8821484 | Ingle | Sep 2014 | B2 |
| 8821485 | Heberer | Sep 2014 | B2 |
| 8821488 | Stewart | Sep 2014 | B2 |
| 8827952 | Subramaniam | Sep 2014 | B2 |
| 8838254 | McClure | Sep 2014 | B2 |
| 8845558 | MacAdam | Sep 2014 | B2 |
| 8849400 | Gunderson | Sep 2014 | B2 |
| 8858549 | Shadduck | Oct 2014 | B2 |
| 8870859 | Swanson | Oct 2014 | B2 |
| 8886296 | Patel | Nov 2014 | B2 |
| 8900223 | Shadduck | Dec 2014 | B2 |
| 8911430 | Hoey | Dec 2014 | B2 |
| 8911434 | Wittenberger | Dec 2014 | B2 |
| 8926602 | Pageard | Jan 2015 | B2 |
| 8926635 | Francischelli | Jan 2015 | B2 |
| 8929969 | Gillis | Jan 2015 | B2 |
| 8945116 | MacAdam | Feb 2015 | B2 |
| 8951247 | Ding | Feb 2015 | B2 |
| 8968354 | Wang | Mar 2015 | B2 |
| 8974451 | Smith | Mar 2015 | B2 |
| 8983606 | Ellingson | Mar 2015 | B2 |
| 8992519 | Kim | Mar 2015 | B2 |
| 9002454 | Ghosh | Apr 2015 | B2 |
| 9005194 | Oral | Apr 2015 | B2 |
| 9008788 | Jenison | Apr 2015 | B2 |
| 9028486 | Collins | May 2015 | B2 |
| 9034006 | Quinn | May 2015 | B2 |
| 9039687 | Condie | May 2015 | B2 |
| 9039712 | Abboud | May 2015 | B2 |
| 9050074 | Joye | Jun 2015 | B2 |
| 9061155 | Gillberg | Jun 2015 | B2 |
| 9072516 | Sherman | Jul 2015 | B2 |
| 9072911 | Hastings | Jul 2015 | B2 |
| 9089272 | Thakur | Jul 2015 | B2 |
| 9089314 | Wittenberger | Jul 2015 | B2 |
| 9095321 | Phelan | Aug 2015 | B2 |
| 9095350 | Condie | Aug 2015 | B2 |
| 9095715 | Gillberg | Aug 2015 | B2 |
| 9096685 | Sharma | Aug 2015 | B2 |
| 9113858 | Barry | Aug 2015 | B2 |
| 9113911 | Sherman | Aug 2015 | B2 |
| 9113944 | Shadduck | Aug 2015 | B2 |
| 9119636 | Vegesna | Sep 2015 | B2 |
| 9125667 | Stone | Sep 2015 | B2 |
| 9125668 | Subramaniam | Sep 2015 | B2 |
| 9149198 | Werneth | Oct 2015 | B2 |
| 9149320 | Kuck | Oct 2015 | B2 |
| 9155590 | Mathur | Oct 2015 | B2 |
| 9161801 | Hoey | Oct 2015 | B2 |
| 9168080 | Wittenberger | Oct 2015 | B2 |
| 9179973 | Nabutovsky | Nov 2015 | B2 |
| 9186080 | Shuros | Nov 2015 | B2 |
| 9198708 | Hoey | Dec 2015 | B2 |
| 9204889 | Shadduck | Dec 2015 | B2 |
| 9205268 | Yoon | Dec 2015 | B2 |
| 9211156 | Kim | Dec 2015 | B2 |
| 9233193 | Truckai | Jan 2016 | B2 |
| 9289145 | Grenz | Mar 2016 | B2 |
| 9295513 | Watson | Mar 2016 | B2 |
| 9314612 | Dollimer | Apr 2016 | B2 |
| 9320564 | Avitall | Apr 2016 | B2 |
| 9326815 | Watson | May 2016 | B2 |
| 9332920 | Thakur | May 2016 | B2 |
| 9333023 | Wittenberger | May 2016 | B2 |
| 9339657 | Stancer | May 2016 | B2 |
| 9345507 | Hoey | May 2016 | B2 |
| 9345528 | Laske | May 2016 | B2 |
| 9345529 | Mihalik | May 2016 | B2 |
| 9345540 | Mallin | May 2016 | B2 |
| 9351783 | Jannicke | May 2016 | B2 |
| 9351789 | Novichenok | May 2016 | B2 |
| 9370329 | Tun | Jun 2016 | B2 |
| 9387032 | Martin | Jul 2016 | B2 |
| 9387310 | Satake | Jul 2016 | B2 |
| 9433457 | Shadduck | Sep 2016 | B2 |
| 9456867 | Lawrence | Oct 2016 | B2 |
| 9463064 | Subramaniam | Oct 2016 | B2 |
| 9468487 | Shadduck | Oct 2016 | B2 |
| 9474467 | Harlev | Oct 2016 | B2 |
| 9474516 | Clark | Oct 2016 | B2 |
| 9486280 | Koblish | Nov 2016 | B2 |
| 9517017 | Shuros | Dec 2016 | B2 |
| 9526434 | Harlev | Dec 2016 | B2 |
| 9526435 | Ghosh | Dec 2016 | B2 |
| 9526555 | Hoey | Dec 2016 | B2 |
| 9532725 | Laughner | Jan 2017 | B2 |
| 9532828 | Condie | Jan 2017 | B2 |
| 9539046 | Wittenberger | Jan 2017 | B2 |
| 9554848 | Stewart | Jan 2017 | B2 |
| 9561043 | Warnking | Feb 2017 | B2 |
| 9566113 | Werneth | Feb 2017 | B2 |
| 9572536 | Abboud | Feb 2017 | B2 |
| 9579034 | Thakur | Feb 2017 | B2 |
| 9597140 | Mihalik | Mar 2017 | B2 |
| 9603651 | Ghosh | Mar 2017 | B2 |
| 9603659 | Subramaniam | Mar 2017 | B2 |
| 9610045 | Du | Apr 2017 | B2 |
| 9615875 | Shadduck | Apr 2017 | B2 |
| 9615879 | Kim | Apr 2017 | B2 |
| 9622806 | Mihalik | Apr 2017 | B2 |
| 9636032 | Thakur | May 2017 | B2 |
| 9636172 | Hu | May 2017 | B2 |
| 9642555 | Bonner | May 2017 | B2 |
| 9642675 | Werneth | May 2017 | B2 |
| 9643024 | Reinke | May 2017 | B2 |
| 9649040 | Laughner | May 2017 | B2 |
| 9655666 | Markowitz | May 2017 | B2 |
| 9655667 | Hon | May 2017 | B2 |
| 9655668 | Ingle | May 2017 | B2 |
| 9656063 | Kelley | May 2017 | B2 |
| 9662470 | Roman | May 2017 | B2 |
| 9675263 | Deac | Jun 2017 | B2 |
| 9675270 | Sarkar | Jun 2017 | B2 |
| 9675806 | Ellingson | Jun 2017 | B2 |
| 9681817 | Maskara | Jun 2017 | B2 |
| 9687166 | Subramaniam | Jun 2017 | B2 |
| 9693819 | Francischelli | Jul 2017 | B2 |
| 9730600 | Thakur | Aug 2017 | B2 |
| 9730602 | Harlev | Aug 2017 | B2 |
| 9737223 | Du | Aug 2017 | B2 |
| 9743972 | Wittenberger | Aug 2017 | B2 |
| 9743973 | Pageard | Aug 2017 | B2 |
| 9744023 | Wang | Aug 2017 | B2 |
| 9744364 | Gordon | Aug 2017 | B2 |
| 9750556 | Lafontaine | Sep 2017 | B2 |
| 9750567 | Falwell | Sep 2017 | B2 |
| 9750570 | Condie | Sep 2017 | B2 |
| 9757191 | Avitall | Sep 2017 | B2 |
| 9757194 | Werneth | Sep 2017 | B2 |
| 9757535 | Rajagopalan | Sep 2017 | B2 |
| 9763625 | Laughner | Sep 2017 | B2 |
| 9795314 | Laughner | Oct 2017 | B2 |
| 9814523 | Condie | Nov 2017 | B2 |
| 9844641 | Rajagopalan | Dec 2017 | B2 |
| 9848795 | Marecki | Dec 2017 | B2 |
| 9848946 | Edmunds | Dec 2017 | B2 |
| 9861370 | Clark | Jan 2018 | B2 |
| 9861422 | Hareland | Jan 2018 | B2 |
| 9861423 | Lalonde | Jan 2018 | B2 |
| 9872717 | Bencini | Jan 2018 | B2 |
| 9883936 | Sutton | Feb 2018 | B2 |
| 9907599 | Hoey | Mar 2018 | B2 |
| 9919158 | Ellingson | Mar 2018 | B2 |
| 9925359 | Lalonde | Mar 2018 | B2 |
| 9931134 | Hissong | Apr 2018 | B2 |
| 9931152 | Wittenberger | Apr 2018 | B2 |
| 9936996 | Zachman | Apr 2018 | B2 |
| 9936999 | Lalonde | Apr 2018 | B2 |
| 9956401 | Hastings | May 2018 | B2 |
| 9958515 | Ellingson | May 2018 | B2 |
| 9974607 | Stone | May 2018 | B2 |
| 9993279 | Avitall | Jun 2018 | B2 |
| 10010368 | Laske | Jul 2018 | B2 |
| 10010716 | Ellingson | Jul 2018 | B2 |
| 10022538 | Drasler | Jul 2018 | B2 |
| 10029092 | Hastings | Jul 2018 | B2 |
| 10034708 | Zarins | Jul 2018 | B2 |
| 10039467 | Stewart | Aug 2018 | B2 |
| 10064697 | Sharma | Sep 2018 | B2 |
| 10179019 | Chee | Jan 2019 | B2 |
| 10299857 | Rajagopalan | May 2019 | B2 |
| 10864352 | Rajagopalan | Dec 2020 | B2 |
| 20010020167 | Woloszko | Sep 2001 | A1 |
| 20010029370 | Hodva | Oct 2001 | A1 |
| 20010037106 | Shadduck | Nov 2001 | A1 |
| 20020013601 | Nobles | Jan 2002 | A1 |
| 20020019627 | Maguire | Feb 2002 | A1 |
| 20020049438 | Sharkey | Apr 2002 | A1 |
| 20020077516 | Flanigan | Jun 2002 | A1 |
| 20020078956 | Sharpe | Jun 2002 | A1 |
| 20020082667 | Shadduck | Jun 2002 | A1 |
| 20020095152 | Ciarrocca | Jul 2002 | A1 |
| 20020111386 | Sekins | Aug 2002 | A1 |
| 20020133147 | Marchitto | Sep 2002 | A1 |
| 20020156470 | Shadduck | Oct 2002 | A1 |
| 20020161326 | Sussman | Oct 2002 | A1 |
| 20020177846 | Mulier | Nov 2002 | A1 |
| 20020193789 | Underwood | Dec 2002 | A1 |
| 20030028189 | Woloszko | Feb 2003 | A1 |
| 20030040742 | Underwood | Feb 2003 | A1 |
| 20030069575 | Chin | Apr 2003 | A1 |
| 20030088145 | Scott | May 2003 | A1 |
| 20030088246 | Swartz | May 2003 | A1 |
| 20030097126 | Woloszko | May 2003 | A1 |
| 20030099279 | Venkatasubramanian | May 2003 | A1 |
| 20030109869 | Shadduck | Jun 2003 | A1 |
| 20030130655 | Woloszko | Jul 2003 | A1 |
| 20030130738 | Hovda | Jul 2003 | A1 |
| 20030144654 | Hilal | Jul 2003 | A1 |
| 20030158545 | Hovda | Aug 2003 | A1 |
| 20030163178 | Davison | Aug 2003 | A1 |
| 20030181922 | Alferness | Sep 2003 | A1 |
| 20030204138 | Choi | Oct 2003 | A1 |
| 20030212394 | Pearson | Nov 2003 | A1 |
| 20030212395 | Woloszko | Nov 2003 | A1 |
| 20030216729 | Marchitto | Nov 2003 | A1 |
| 20030225364 | Kraft | Dec 2003 | A1 |
| 20040006333 | Arnold | Jan 2004 | A1 |
| 20040024398 | Hovda | Feb 2004 | A1 |
| 20040024399 | Sharps | Feb 2004 | A1 |
| 20040031494 | Danek | Feb 2004 | A1 |
| 20040037986 | Houston | Feb 2004 | A1 |
| 20040038868 | Ingenito | Feb 2004 | A1 |
| 20040047855 | Ingenito | Mar 2004 | A1 |
| 20040049180 | Sharps | Mar 2004 | A1 |
| 20040054366 | Davison | Mar 2004 | A1 |
| 20040055606 | Hendricksen | Mar 2004 | A1 |
| 20040059313 | Tachibana | Mar 2004 | A1 |
| 20040068256 | Rizoiu | Apr 2004 | A1 |
| 20040068306 | Shadduck | Apr 2004 | A1 |
| 20040087937 | Eggers | May 2004 | A1 |
| 20040116922 | Hovda | Jun 2004 | A1 |
| 20040193150 | Sharkey | Sep 2004 | A1 |
| 20040199226 | Shadduck | Oct 2004 | A1 |
| 20040230188 | Cioanta | Nov 2004 | A1 |
| 20040230190 | Dahla | Nov 2004 | A1 |
| 20040230316 | Cioanta | Nov 2004 | A1 |
| 20040254532 | Mehier | Dec 2004 | A1 |
| 20050004634 | Ricart | Jan 2005 | A1 |
| 20050010205 | Hovda | Jan 2005 | A1 |
| 20050015047 | Shah | Jan 2005 | A1 |
| 20050095168 | Centanni | May 2005 | A1 |
| 20050119650 | Sanders | Jun 2005 | A1 |
| 20050166925 | Wilson | Aug 2005 | A1 |
| 20050171582 | Matlock | Aug 2005 | A1 |
| 20050177147 | Vancelette | Aug 2005 | A1 |
| 20050187543 | Underwood | Aug 2005 | A1 |
| 20050215991 | Altman | Sep 2005 | A1 |
| 20050222485 | Shaw | Oct 2005 | A1 |
| 20050228423 | Khashayar | Oct 2005 | A1 |
| 20050228424 | Khashayar | Oct 2005 | A1 |
| 20050240171 | Forrest | Oct 2005 | A1 |
| 20050267468 | Truckai | Dec 2005 | A1 |
| 20050283143 | Rizoiu | Dec 2005 | A1 |
| 20060004400 | McGurk | Jan 2006 | A1 |
| 20060036237 | Davison | Feb 2006 | A1 |
| 20060041277 | Deem | Feb 2006 | A1 |
| 20060047291 | Barry | Mar 2006 | A1 |
| 20060085054 | Zikorus | Apr 2006 | A1 |
| 20060089636 | Christopherson | Apr 2006 | A1 |
| 20060095032 | Jackson | May 2006 | A1 |
| 20060100619 | McClurken | May 2006 | A1 |
| 20060130830 | Barry | Jun 2006 | A1 |
| 20060135955 | Shadduck | Jun 2006 | A1 |
| 20060161233 | Barry | Jul 2006 | A1 |
| 20060178670 | Woloszko | Aug 2006 | A1 |
| 20060200076 | Gonzalez | Sep 2006 | A1 |
| 20060200191 | Zadno-Azizi | Sep 2006 | A1 |
| 20060224154 | Shadduck | Oct 2006 | A1 |
| 20060264832 | Skwarek | Nov 2006 | A1 |
| 20060276871 | Lamson | Dec 2006 | A1 |
| 20070032785 | Diederich | Feb 2007 | A1 |
| 20070036417 | Argiro | Feb 2007 | A1 |
| 20070049920 | McClurken | Mar 2007 | A1 |
| 20070083085 | Birnkrant | Apr 2007 | A1 |
| 20070091087 | Zuiderveld | Apr 2007 | A1 |
| 20070142846 | Catanese | Jun 2007 | A1 |
| 20070179496 | Swoyer | Aug 2007 | A1 |
| 20070225744 | Nobles | Sep 2007 | A1 |
| 20070225750 | Ren | Sep 2007 | A1 |
| 20070239197 | Dubey | Oct 2007 | A1 |
| 20070265687 | Deem | Nov 2007 | A1 |
| 20080021484 | Catanese | Jan 2008 | A1 |
| 20080021485 | Catanese | Jan 2008 | A1 |
| 20080033232 | Catanese | Feb 2008 | A1 |
| 20080033458 | McLean | Feb 2008 | A1 |
| 20080033488 | Catanese | Feb 2008 | A1 |
| 20080033493 | Deckman | Feb 2008 | A1 |
| 20080039833 | Catanese | Feb 2008 | A1 |
| 20080039872 | Catanese | Feb 2008 | A1 |
| 20080039874 | Catanese | Feb 2008 | A1 |
| 20080039875 | Catanese | Feb 2008 | A1 |
| 20080039876 | Catanese | Feb 2008 | A1 |
| 20080039893 | McLean | Feb 2008 | A1 |
| 20080039894 | Catanese | Feb 2008 | A1 |
| 20080046045 | Yon | Feb 2008 | A1 |
| 20080103566 | Mehier | May 2008 | A1 |
| 20080110457 | Barry | May 2008 | A1 |
| 20080114297 | Barry | May 2008 | A1 |
| 20080132826 | Shadduck | Jun 2008 | A1 |
| 20080183036 | Saadat | Jul 2008 | A1 |
| 20080208187 | Bhushan | Aug 2008 | A1 |
| 20080208189 | Van Wyk | Aug 2008 | A1 |
| 20080249399 | Appling | Oct 2008 | A1 |
| 20080275440 | Kratoska | Nov 2008 | A1 |
| 20080281267 | Mehier | Nov 2008 | A1 |
| 20080300571 | LePivert | Dec 2008 | A1 |
| 20090018553 | McLean | Jan 2009 | A1 |
| 20090054868 | Sharkey | Feb 2009 | A1 |
| 20090054869 | Sharkey | Feb 2009 | A1 |
| 20090054870 | Sharkey | Feb 2009 | A1 |
| 20090054871 | Sharkey | Feb 2009 | A1 |
| 20090082837 | Gellman | Mar 2009 | A1 |
| 20090105702 | Shadduck | Apr 2009 | A1 |
| 20090105703 | Shadduck | Apr 2009 | A1 |
| 20090125009 | Zikorus | May 2009 | A1 |
| 20090125010 | Sharkey | May 2009 | A1 |
| 20090149846 | Hoey | Jun 2009 | A1 |
| 20090216220 | Hoey | Aug 2009 | A1 |
| 20090221998 | Epstein | Sep 2009 | A1 |
| 20090227998 | Aljuri | Sep 2009 | A1 |
| 20090277457 | Hoey | Nov 2009 | A1 |
| 20090301483 | Barry | Dec 2009 | A1 |
| 20090306640 | Glaze | Dec 2009 | A1 |
| 20090312753 | Shadduck | Dec 2009 | A1 |
| 20100016757 | Greenburg | Jan 2010 | A1 |
| 20100049031 | Fruland | Feb 2010 | A1 |
| 20100076416 | Hoey | Mar 2010 | A1 |
| 20100094270 | Sharma | Apr 2010 | A1 |
| 20100114082 | Sharma | May 2010 | A1 |
| 20100114083 | Sharma | May 2010 | A1 |
| 20100145254 | Shadduck | Jun 2010 | A1 |
| 20100145325 | Hoey | Jun 2010 | A1 |
| 20100145326 | Hoey | Jun 2010 | A1 |
| 20100160905 | Shadduck | Jun 2010 | A1 |
| 20100168624 | Sliwa | Jul 2010 | A1 |
| 20100179416 | Hoey | Jul 2010 | A1 |
| 20100179528 | Shadduck | Jul 2010 | A1 |
| 20100204688 | Hoey | Aug 2010 | A1 |
| 20100262133 | Hoey | Oct 2010 | A1 |
| 20100274260 | Darpiany | Oct 2010 | A1 |
| 20100286679 | Hoey | Nov 2010 | A1 |
| 20100292767 | Hoey | Nov 2010 | A1 |
| 20100298948 | Hoey | Nov 2010 | A1 |
| 20110077628 | Hoey | Mar 2011 | A1 |
| 20110118717 | Shadduck | May 2011 | A1 |
| 20110160648 | Hoey | Jun 2011 | A1 |
| 20110172654 | Barry | Jul 2011 | A1 |
| 20110184400 | Pageard | Jul 2011 | A1 |
| 20110190751 | Ingle | Aug 2011 | A1 |
| 20110238144 | Hoey | Sep 2011 | A1 |
| 20110264090 | Shadduck | Oct 2011 | A1 |
| 20110276046 | Heimbecher | Nov 2011 | A1 |
| 20120065632 | Shadduck | Mar 2012 | A1 |
| 20120078078 | MacAdam | Mar 2012 | A1 |
| 20120101413 | Beetel | Apr 2012 | A1 |
| 20120116376 | Hoey | May 2012 | A1 |
| 20120232409 | Stahmann | Sep 2012 | A1 |
| 20120259271 | Shadduck | Oct 2012 | A1 |
| 20120323167 | Hoey | Dec 2012 | A1 |
| 20130006231 | Sharma | Jan 2013 | A1 |
| 20130030410 | Drasler | Jan 2013 | A1 |
| 20130074847 | Hoey | Mar 2013 | A1 |
| 20130079772 | Shadduck | Mar 2013 | A1 |
| 20130116683 | Shadduck | May 2013 | A1 |
| 20130165914 | Satake | Jun 2013 | A1 |
| 20130172867 | Shadduck | Jul 2013 | A1 |
| 20130197555 | Schaer | Aug 2013 | A1 |
| 20130237978 | Shadduck | Sep 2013 | A1 |
| 20130267939 | Barry | Oct 2013 | A1 |
| 20130296837 | Burnett | Nov 2013 | A1 |
| 20130345670 | Rajagopalan | Dec 2013 | A1 |
| 20140025057 | Hoey | Jan 2014 | A1 |
| 20140031805 | Shadduck | Jan 2014 | A1 |
| 20140107637 | Hoey | Apr 2014 | A1 |
| 20140114306 | Harada | Apr 2014 | A1 |
| 20140200569 | Shadduck | Jul 2014 | A1 |
| 20140200570 | Hoey | Jul 2014 | A1 |
| 20140276713 | Hoey | Sep 2014 | A1 |
| 20140288543 | Hoey | Sep 2014 | A1 |
| 20140324037 | Hoey | Oct 2014 | A1 |
| 20140357956 | Salahieh | Dec 2014 | A1 |
| 20140358137 | Hu | Dec 2014 | A1 |
| 20140371736 | Levin | Dec 2014 | A1 |
| 20150025515 | Hoey | Jan 2015 | A1 |
| 20150025516 | Hoey | Jan 2015 | A1 |
| 20150080883 | Haverkost | Mar 2015 | A1 |
| 20150126990 | Sharma | May 2015 | A1 |
| 20150265329 | Lalonde | Sep 2015 | A1 |
| 20160220297 | Kroon | Aug 2016 | A1 |
| 20160354140 | Sharma | Dec 2016 | A1 |
| 20160354144 | Caplan | Dec 2016 | A1 |
| 20170165002 | Sharma | Jun 2017 | A1 |
| 20170231678 | Sharma | Aug 2017 | A1 |
| 20170367755 | Sharma | Dec 2017 | A1 |
| 20190110830 | Hastings | Apr 2019 | A1 |
| 20190269449 | Hastings | Sep 2019 | A1 |
| 20190388133 | Sharma | Dec 2019 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2757751 | Feb 2006 | CN |
| 1803113 | Jul 2006 | CN |
| 102238920 | Sep 2011 | CN |
| 102238920 | Nov 2011 | CN |
| 103582463 | Feb 2014 | CN |
| 105228547 | Jan 2016 | CN |
| 106102816 | Nov 2016 | CN |
| 1602338 | Dec 2005 | EP |
| 2341859 | Jul 2011 | EP |
| 2655548 | Jun 1991 | FR |
| 1992010142 | Jun 1992 | WO |
| 1995028198 | Oct 1995 | WO |
| 9902096 | Jan 1999 | WO |
| 1999053853 | Oct 1999 | WO |
| 2000029055 | May 2000 | WO |
| 2001024715 | Apr 2001 | WO |
| 02069821 | Sep 2002 | WO |
| 2002069821 | Sep 2002 | WO |
| 2003070302 | Aug 2003 | WO |
| 2003086498 | Oct 2003 | WO |
| 2005025635 | Mar 2005 | WO |
| 2005102175 | Nov 2005 | WO |
| 2006003665 | Jan 2006 | WO |
| 2006004482 | Jan 2006 | WO |
| 2006019728 | Feb 2006 | WO |
| 2006055695 | May 2006 | WO |
| 2006108974 | Oct 2006 | WO |
| 2009009398 | Jan 2009 | WO |
| 2009074844 | Jun 2009 | WO |
| 2010042461 | Apr 2010 | WO |
| 2010042461 | Apr 2010 | WO |
| 2012167213 | Dec 2012 | WO |
| 2012167213 | Dec 2012 | WO |
| 2013086461 | Jun 2013 | WO |
| 2013152119 | Oct 2013 | WO |
| 2014113724 | Jul 2014 | WO |
| 2014113724 | Jul 2014 | WO |
| 2017201504 | Nov 2017 | WO |
| 2018089773 | May 2018 | WO |
| Entry |
|---|
| Microsulis America, Inc.; Instructions for Use, Microsulis Microwave Endometrial Ablation (MEA) System; Microsulis Americas, Inc.—MEA System Instructions for Use; Dec. 2002; 62795/09/038 Issue 1; pp. 16-35; Microsulis Americas. |
| International Search Report for PCT/US2017/033693, Oct. 2, 2017. |
| Thibeau; AW-06995-001; Text, Manual, Novasure, V1, EN, US; Aug. 26, 2011; pp. 1-23; Hologic, Inc. |
| Sharma et al; Barrett's Oesophagus, A randomised controlled trial of ablation of Barrett's oesophagus with multipolar electrocoagulation versus argon plasma coagulation in combination with acid suppression: long term results; Gut; 2006; 55:1233-1239; doi: 10.1136/gut.2005.086777. |
| Sharma et al; Balloon-based, cicrumferential, endoscopic radiofrequency ablation of Barrett's esophagus: 1-year follow-up of 100 patients (with video); Gastrointestinal Endoscopy; 2007; vol. 65, No. 2; 0016-5/$32.00 doi:10.1016/j.gie.2006.09.033; pp. 185-195. |
| Sanfilippo et al; Update: Options in Endometrial Ablation; Supplement to OBG Management; Dec. 2009; pp. S1-S24; Dowden Health Media. |
| United States FDA; Summary of Safety and Effectiveness Data: Cryogen, Inc.: Her Option Uterine Cryoablation Therapy System; PMA P000032; Sep. 14, 2001; pp. 1-22. |
| American Medical Systems, Inc.; her option office cryoablation therapy Resource Guide; 2007; pp. 1-29; American Medical Systems, Inc.. 10700 Bren Road West, Minnetonka, MN 55343 USA. |
| Boston Scientific; HTA System Endometrial Ablation System; 2006; BVU 1090 Rev. A 10M Sep. 2006-Sep. 2008; Boston Scientific Corporation, One Boston Scientific Place, Natick, MA 01760-1537. |
| Ethicon Women's Health & Urology; Instructions for Use, Gynecare Thermachoice III Uterine Balloon Therapy System, Thermal Balloon Ablation Silicone Catheter and Syringe (Single-Use); Mar. 26, 2008; pp. 1-156; TCIII_389630.R06_Main.indd; Gynecare, a division of Ethicon, Inc. a Johnson & Johnson company, Sommerville, NJ, 08876-0151 USA. |
| Johnston et al.; Cryoablation of Barrett's esophagus: a pilot study; Gastrointestinal Endoscopy; 2005; pp. 842-848; vol. 62, No. 6, 0016-5107/$30.00 doi:10.1016/j.gie.2005.05.008; American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. |
| Carter; Endometrial Ablation: More Choices, More Options; The Female Patient; 2005; pp. 35-40; 30(12). |
| International Search Report for PCT/US2009/059609, Mar. 5, 2010. |
| International Search Report for PCT/US2012/040639, Dec. 18, 2012. |
| International Search Report for PCT/US2014/012131, Jul. 30, 2014. |
| “Understanding Microprocessors, Advantages of 32-bit CPUs and DSPs.” Stevens. Stevens Water Monitoring Systems, Inc., May 12, 2008. Web. Feb. 4, 2013. <http://web.archive.org/web/20080512144927/http://www.stevenswater.com/articles/cpu.aspx>. |
| Hai; Photoselective Vaporization Prostatectomy: A Palliative Treatment Option for Men with Urinary Obstruction Secondary to Prostate Cancer; PCRI Prost. Cancer Rsrch. Inst. Reprint. from PCRI Insights Nov. 2005, vol. 8(4); pp. 4. |
| Van De Velde; Vapo-cauterization of the uterus; Amer. J. Med. Sci.; vol. CXVII; 1899. |
| Blacker; Vaporization of the uterus; J. Obstet. & Gyn.; pp. 488-511; 1901. |
| Neuwirth et al.; The endometrial ablator: a new instrument; Obst. & Gyn.; vol. 83; No. 5; part 1; pp. 792-796; 1994. |
| Prior et al.; Treatment of mennorrhagia by radiofrequency heating; Int. J. Hyperthermia; vol. 7; No. 2; pp. 213-220; 1991. |
| International Search Report for PCT/US2016/012840, Aug. 18, 2016. |
| International Search Report for PCT/US19/50662, Jan. 7, 2020. |
| Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority for PCT/US19/50662, Jan. 7, 2020. |
| Tanaka, et al. “A New Radiofrequency Thermal Balloon Catheter for Pulmonary Vein Isolation”, Journal of the American College of Cargiology, 2001, vol. 38, No. 7, Dec. 2001: 2079-86; ISSN 0735-109, PII S0735-1097. |
| International Search Report for PCT/US21/13582, May 13, 2021. |
| Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority for PCT/US21/13582, May 13, 2021. |
| International Search Report for PCT/US20/48419, Dec. 18, 2020. |
| Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority for PCT/US20/48419, Dec. 18, 2020. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20220296294 A1 | Sep 2022 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62844222 | May 2019 | US | |
| 62729777 | Sep 2018 | US | |
| 62425144 | Nov 2016 | US | |
| 62338871 | May 2016 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16567984 | Sep 2019 | US |
| Child | 17658279 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15600670 | May 2017 | US |
| Child | 16567984 | US |
