Devices and methods for ablation of tissue

Abstract

Devices and methods for the treatment of heart conditions, hypertension, and other medical disorders are described. For example, this document describes devices and methods for treating atrial fibrillation by performing thoracic vein ablation procedures, including pulmonary vein myocardium ablation. In some embodiments, the ablation is performed in coordination with the delivery a pharmacological agent that can abate the formation of tissue stenosis or neointimal hyperplasia caused by the ablation. Additionally, in some embodiments, particulate matter, such as thrombus or crystalline drug compounds, created during the ablation is captured and removed from the patient using devices and methods provided herein. Further, devices and methods for non-thermal methods of causing cell death, such as tissue suction and tissue stretching, are also described.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 247,048, filed Oct. 27, 2015. The disclosure of the prior application is considered part of and is incorporated by reference in the disclosure of this application.BACKGROUND1. Technical Field[0002]This document relates to devices and methods for the treatment of medical disorders including heart conditions and hypertension. For example, among other things this document relates to devices and methods for treating atrial fibrillation by performing thoracic vein ablation procedures, including pulmonary vein myocardium ablation. In some embodiments, the ablation procedures are performed in coordination with the delivery a pharmacological agent that can provide therapeutic effects such as the abatement of tissue stenosis or neointimal hyperplasia that may otherwise be caused by the ablation. Additionally, in some embodiments, particulate matter, such as thrombus or crys...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018]Particular embodiments of the subject matter described in this document can be implemented to realize one or more of the following advantages. Medical conditions such as atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and others can be effectively treated using the devices and methods provided herein. In some embodiments, atrial fibrillation can be treated by pulmonary vein ablation while preventing or reducing stenosis or neointimal hyperplasia of the pulmonary veins by providing a temporally coordinated delivery of an antimitotic pharmacological agent to the pulmonary vein during the ablation procedure. In some embodiments, the uptake of the antimitotic pharmacological agent to the tissue receiving the ablation treatment can be promoted using the methods and devices provided herein. In some embodiments, fibrosis can be advantageously promoted to treat various medical conditions

Problems solved by technology

Atrial fibrillation is an irregular and often rapid heart rate that commonly causes poor blood flow to the body.

The energy delivered causes scarring of the tissue.

However, an undesirable side effect of treatment of atrial fibrillation by pulmonary vein ablation is pulmonary vein stenosis and neointimal hyperplasia.

Pulmonary vein stenosis can result in reduced

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