US7594915B2
Active / In Force
US
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Tissue stabilization and ablation devices and methods
Assignee: Endoscopic Technologies Inc
•
Filing: 2007-05-25
•
Granted: 2009-09-29
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Expires: 2027-05-25
Abstract
Abstract Tissue stabilization and ablation devices and methods provide techniques for stabilizing and ablating body tissues during surgical ablation procedures. In many embodiments, for example, devices may be used in minimally invasive techniques for ablating epicardial tissue adjacent one or more pulmonary veins to treat atrial fibrillation. Tissue stabilization and ablation devices generally include a rigidifying bladder coupled with an ablation member. The devices may additionally include a tissue stabilizing bladder or means within the rigidifying bladder for enhancing tissue stabilization. The rigidifying bladder conforms to a tissue surface and then stiffens to help the device hold its shape and position and to stabilize the tissue. The ablation member is then used to ablate an area of tissue. Such cardiac stabilization and ablation devices and methods may be used to ablate one or more patterns on the epicardial surface of a heart to treat atrial fibrillation and/or other cardiac arrhythmias.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary S. Kochamba
- 👤 Suzanne E. Kochamba
- 👤 Arthur A. Bertolero
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 15:04
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/24; A61F2/2478; A61F2/2481; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/02; A61F5/00; A61F5/01; A61F5/0102; A61F5/0104; A61F5/04; A61F5/05; A61F5/055; A61F5/058; A61F5/05833; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00243; A61B2017/00247; A61B2017/0237; A61B2017/0243; A61B17/30; A61B2017/306; A61B18/00; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00345; A61B2018/00351; A61B2018/00392
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 66
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A device for stabilizing and ablating tissue, the device comprising: a flexible rigidifying bladder including: at least one chamber within the bladder; at least one port in communication with the chamber; and rigidifying structure disposed within the chamber, wherein evacuation of the chamber via the port causes the rigidifying bladder to rigidify; a tissue securing bladder coupled with the flexible rigidifying bladder for contacting the tissue and generating a suction force to enhance contact of the device with the tissue; and at least one ablation member coupled with the tissue securing bladder for ablating at least a portion of the tissue.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
101 words
A device for stabilizing and ablating tissue, the device comprising: a flexible rigidifying bladder including: at least one chamber within the bladder; at least one port in communication with the chamber; and rigidifying structure disposed within the chamber, wherein evacuation of the chamber via the port causes the rigidifying bladder to rigidify; a tissue securing bladder coupled with the flexible rigidifying bladder for contacting the tissue and generating a suction force to enhance contact of the device with the tissue; and at least one ablation member coupled with the tissue securing bladder for ablating at least a portion of the tissue.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as in claim 1 , wherein the tissue securing bladder comprises a U-shaped bladder for contacting heart tissue adjacent at least one pulmonary vein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device as in claim 1 , wherein the tissue securing bladder includes at least one suction hole for applying suction to enhance the contact of the tissue securing bladder with the tissue.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device as in claim 3 , wherein the at least one suction hole is configured to allow a portion of the tissue to be drawn into the hole when suction is applied.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as in claim 3 , wherein the ablation member is disposed about the at least one suction hole.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device as in claim 1 , wherein the ablation member is adapted to ablate tissue adjacent at least one pulmonary vein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A device as in claim 1 , wherein the ablation member transmits energy to the portion of the tissue, the transmitted energy selected from the group consisting of radio frequency energy, ultrasound energy, microwave energy and cryogenic energy.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device as in claim 7 , wherein the ablation member comprises at least one radio frequency coil.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as in claim 8 , wherein the ablation member is U-shaped so as to contact epicardial tissue adjacent at least one pulmonary vein.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device as in claim 9 , wherein the ablation member further comprises at least one partially retractable member such that when the retractable member is deployed the ablation member contacts epicardial tissue encircling two pulmonary veins.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as in claim 1 , wherein the ablation member comprises at least one linear ablation member for ablating a linear pattern on epicardial tissue.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
70 words
A device as in claim 11 , wherein the at least one linear ablation member comprises: a first linear ablation member for contacting heart tissue between a left pulmonary vein and a right pulmonary vein; a second linear ablation member for contacting heart tissue at a location approximating a line extending to the atrioventricular groove; and a third linear ablation member for contacting heart tissue on a left atrial appendage.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as in claim 11 , wherein the at least one linear ablation member comprises at least two overlapping members.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device as in claim 11 , wherein the at least one linear ablation member comprises a plurality of members, each controllable on a separate radio frequency channel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device as in claim 1 , wherein the ablation member comprises at least one flexible linear member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as in claim 1 , wherein the ablation member comprises multiple thermoelectric chips disposed in a pattern on the tissue securing bladder.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as in claim 1 , further comprising at least one sensor for sensing ablation of the tissue.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as in claim 17 , wherein the at least one sensor senses an electrical depolarization in heart tissue.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device as in claim 17 , wherein the at least one sensor is selected from the group consisting of a thermal sensor, an electrical sensor, a thermoelectric sensor, a microchip and an ultrasound sensor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device as in claim 17 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one pair of sensors, each pair of sensors positioned on opposite sides of the at least one ablation member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device as in claim 20 , wherein each pair of sensors comprises: a first sensor for transmitting a signal across an area of tissue to be ablated; and a second sensor for receiving the signal from the first sensor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device as in claim 1 , further comprising at least one cooling member for decreasing heat in the tissue stabilizing bladder generated by the ablation member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
43 words
A device as in claim 22 , wherein the cooling member comprises: a hollow member adjacent the ablation member; and at least one cooling port coupled with the hollow member for allowing introduction of one or more cooling fluids into the hollow member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 23 , wherein the hollow member comprises a tubular member.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device as in claim 23 , wherein the hollow member comprises a bladder.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
51 words
A device as in claim 23 , wherein said at least one cooling port comprises at least one inlet port for allowing the introduction of one or more cooling fluids and at least one outlet port for allowing egress of the one or more cooling fluids from the hollow tubular member.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
61 words
A device as in claim 22 , wherein the cooling member comprises: a plurality of fluid outlet ports disposed along the tissue securing bladder for allowing passage of fluid from the tissue securing bladder; and at least one fluid introduction port coupled with the fluid outlet ports for allowing introduction of one or more cooling fluids through the fluid outlet ports.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as in claim 1 , further comprising visualization means coupled with the rigidifying bladder of the device for enhancing visualization while positioning the device.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device as in claim 1 , further comprising an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the shaft being coupled with the flexible bladder near the distal end.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device as in claim 29 , wherein at least one portion of the shaft is flexible and at least one portion of the shaft is rigid.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
49 words
A device as in claim 29 , wherein the shaft further includes a joint disposed along the shaft between the proximal end and the distal end, the joint allowing for movement of one portion of the shaft relative to another portion of the shaft in at least one direction.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device as in claim 31 , further comprising an internal movement member disposed within the shaft for moving one or more portions of the shaft about the joint.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
57 words
A device as in claim 1 , further comprising: at least one rigid plate coupled with the flexible bladder for enhancing stabilization of the device; and at least one engaging member coupled with the rigid plate for engaging a positioner to allow for positioning of the device at a location for ablating the portion of the tissue.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device as in claim 33 , wherein the at least one rigid plate comprises an approximately U-shaped plate and the at least one engaging member comprises multiple post members.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device as in claim 1 , wherein the device is sufficiently flexible to allow the device to be folded or otherwise deformed to introduce the device to a surgical site through a minimally invasive introducer.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as in claim 35 , further comprising at least one engaging member coupled with the bladders for engaging a minimally invasive positioning device.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
108 words
A device for stabilizing and ablating tissue, the device comprising: a flexible rigidifying bladder including: a chamber; at least one port in communication with the chamber; at least one tissue securing means in communication with the chamber; at least one mesh-like member for dividing the chamber into multiple sub-chambers; and rigidifying structure disposed within at least one sub-chamber; wherein application of suction to the chamber via the port causes the rigidifying structure to rigidify the bladder and causes the tissue securing means to adhere to the tissue; and at least one ablation member coupled with the flexible rigidifying bladder for ablating at least a portion of the tissue.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
108 words
A device for stabilizing and ablating tissue, the device comprising: a flexible rigidifying bladder including: a chamber; at least one port in communication with the chamber; at least one tissue securing means in communication with the chamber; at least one mesh-like member for dividing the chamber into multiple sub-chambers; and rigidifying structure disposed within at least one sub-chamber; wherein application of suction to the chamber via the port causes the rigidifying structure to rigidify the bladder and causes the tissue securing means to adhere to the tissue; and at least one ablation member coupled with the flexible rigidifying bladder for ablating at least a portion of the tissue.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as in claim 37 , wherein the flexible rigidifying bladder comprises a U-shaped bladder for contacting heart tissue adjacent at least one pulmonary vein.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device as in claim 37 , wherein the tissue securing means comprises at least one suction hole.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device as in claim 39 , wherein the at least one suction hole is configured to allow a portion of the tissue to be drawn into the hole when suction is applied.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as in claim 39 , wherein the ablation member is disposed about the at least one suction hole.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device as in claim 37 , wherein the ablation member is adapted to ablate tissue adjacent at least one pulmonary vein.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
38 words
A device as in claim 37 , wherein the ablation member transmits energy to the portion of the tissue, the transmitted energy selected from the group consisting of radio frequency energy, ultrasound energy, microwave energy and cryogenic energy.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device as in claim 43 , wherein the ablation member comprises at least one radio frequency coil.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as in claim 44 , wherein the ablation member is U-shaped so as to contact epicardial tissue adjacent at least one pulmonary vein.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device as in claim 45 , wherein the ablation member further comprises at least one partially retractable member such that when the retractable member is deployed the ablation member contacts epicardial tissue encircling two pulmonary veins.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as in claim 37 , wherein the ablation member comprises at least one linear ablation member for ablating a linear pattern on epicardial tissue.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
70 words
A device as in claim 47 , wherein the at least one linear ablation member comprises: a first linear ablation member for contacting heart tissue between a left pulmonary vein and a right pulmonary vein; a second linear ablation member for contacting heart tissue at a location approximating a line extending to the atrioventricular groove; and a third linear ablation member for contacting heart tissue on a left atrial appendage.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as in claim 47 , wherein the at least one linear ablation member comprises at least two overlapping members.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device as in claim 47 , wherein the at least one linear ablation member comprises a plurality of members, each controllable on a separate radio frequency channel.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as in claim 37 , wherein the ablation member comprises multiple thermoelectric chips disposed in a pattern on the tissue securing means.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as in claim 37 , farther comprising at least one sensor for sensing ablation of the tissue.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as in claim 52 , wherein the at least one sensor senses an electrical depolarization in heart tissue.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device as in claim 52 , wherein the at least one sensor is selected from the group consisting of a thermal sensor, an electrical sensor, a thermoelectric sensor, a microchip and an ultrasound sensor.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device as in claim 52 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one pair of sensors, each pair of sensors positioned on opposite sides of the at least one ablation member.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device as in claim 52 , wherein each pair of sensors comprises: a first sensor for transmitting a signal across an area of tissue to be ablated; and a second sensor for receiving the signal from the first sensor.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device as in claim 37 , further comprising at least one cooling member for decreasing heat in the tissue securing means generated by the ablation member.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
42 words
A device as in claim 57 , wherein the cooling member comprises: a hollow member adjacent the ablation member; and at least one port coupled with the hollow member for allowing introduction of one or more cooling fluids into the hollow member.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device as in claim 58 , comprising at least one outlet port for allowing egress of the one or more cooling fluids from the hollow member.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
61 words
A device as in claim 57 , wherein the cooling member comprises: a plurality of fluid outlet ports disposed along the tissue securing means for allowing passage of fluid from the tissue securing means; and at least one fluid introduction port coupled with the fluid outlet ports for allowing introduction of one or more cooling fluids through the fluid outlet ports.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
57 words
A device as in claim 37 , further comprising: at least one rigid plate coupled with the flexible bladder for enhancing stabilization of the device; and at least one engaging member coupled with the rigid plate for engaging a positioner to allow for positioning of the device at a location for ablating the portion of the tissue.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device as in claim 61 , wherein the at least one rigid plate comprises an approximately U-shaped plate and the at least one engaging member comprises multiple post members.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device as in claim 37 , wherein the device is sufficiently flexible to allow the device to be folded or otherwise deformed to introduce the device to a surgical site through a minimally invasive introducer.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as in claim 63 , further comprising at least one engaging member coupled with the bladder for engaging a minimally invasive positioning device.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2012-09-28 | 2013-03-30 | 2013-09-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2016-09-28 | 2017-03-30 | 2017-09-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2020-09-28 | 2021-03-30 | 2021-09-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |