Ablation sheath

Details Ablation sheath Ablation sheath

1995-05-01

2001-05-22

Peffley, Michael (Department: 3739)

Surgery

Instruments

Electrical application

C606S108000, C607S122000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06235021

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to electrophysiology equipment and more particularly to an apparatus and method for using the apparatus for positioning electrophysiology instruments within the heart of a patient.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Electrophysiologic mapping and cardiac ablation are two procedures which are typically performed inside of a beating heart. The mapping procedure is diagnostic and it is intended to reveal the location of regions of ectopic electrical activity within the heart which can give rise to tachyarrhythmias. Once an ectopic site has been localized, it is common to ablate tissue in that region of the heart to prevent conduction of electrical signals in that portion of the cardiac tissue. The ablation of tissue is a therapeutic and has been demonstrated to eliminate some tachyarrythmias.
Both brachial and femoral approaches to the interior of the heart are commonly used to introduce catheters. Approaching the heart through the thorax is not widely employed at the present time. Consequently the ability to quickly and reliably exchange instruments within the heart chamber is desirable. However it is difficult to exchange diagnostic and therapeutic catheters given current therapeutic approaches.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention includes an over-tube or sheath which is guided into a heart chamber by a steerable catheter. This sheath is left in place in the heart during the procedures and it is used to permit the rapid exchange of diagnostic and therapeutic catheters through the central lumen of the sheath. The physical and mechanical properties as well as the geometry of the sheath are important properties of the device.
In some embodiments of the sheath a lateral window is provided in the distal tip to facilitate the creation of certain types of ablation lesions. Additionally a distal foot member may be used with the sheath. This distal foot may be retracted or articulated to bring therapeutic catheters into contact with the heart wall and to permit the formation of multiple lesions.


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