Small loop ablation catheter

Abstract

A catheter system for creating lesions for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias is disclosed that includes a catheter having a distal ablation segment that has an electrode array comprising a plurality of spaced ablation and recording electrode devices arranged in a tight loop configuration that is used to create a series of overlapping loop-shaped ablation footprints to produce a continuous lesion resembling a chain-link configuration.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]Not applicable.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]I. Field of the Invention[0004]The present invention relates generally to the field of catheter-based tissue ablation devices and techniques and, more particularly, to catheter devices and methods for performing tissue ablation to relieve atrial cardiac arrhythmias. Specifically, the invention provides a cure for atrial fibrillation by using transcutaneous transvascular catheter ablation in an overlapping pattern to produce the effect of the Cox Maze surgical procedure.[0005]II. Related Art[0006]Cardiac arrhythmias, particularly atrial fibrillation, are common and dangerous medical conditions causing abnormal, erratic cardiac function. Atrial fibrillation is observed particularly in elderly patients and results from abnormal conduction and automaticity in regions of cardiac tissue. Chronic atrial fibrillation...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]By means of one aspect of the present inventive concept, there is provided an ablation catheter to enable an operator to treat a patient suffering from an arrhythmia by employing an overlapping ablation technique that increases the ablation footprint and produces more reliable continuous lesions that prevent reconnection of electrical pathways in cardiac tissue.

Problems solved by technology

Cardiac arrhythmias, particularly atrial fibrillation, are common and dangerous medical conditions causing abnormal, erratic cardiac function.

Atrial fibrillation is observed particularly in elderly patients and results from abnormal conduction and automaticity in regions of cardiac tissue.

Chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) may lead to serious conditions including stroke, heart failure, fatigue and palpitations.

Important drawbacks found fundamental in the current catheter-based ablation approaches can be attributed to several factors including a lack of consistent contact between the ablation devices and the target tissues, an inability to accurately evaluate lesion maturation, and the inability to connect lesions in a manner so as to create a continuous transmural line that produces a continuous electrical conduction block.

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