An acoustic imaging system for use within a heart has a catheter, an ultrasound device incorporated into the catheter, and an electrode mounted on the catheter. The ultrasound device directs ultrasonic signals toward an internal structure in the heart to create an ultrasonic image, and the electrode is arranged for electrical contact with the internal structure. A chemical ablation device mounted on the catheter ablates at least a portion of the internal structure by delivery of fluid to the internal structure. The ablation device includes a material that vibrates in response to electrical excitation, the ablation being at least assisted by vibration of the material. The ablation device may alternatively be a transducer incorporated into the catheter, arranged to convert electrical signals into radiation and to direct the radiation toward the internal structure. The electrode may be a sonolucent structure incorporated into the catheter, through which the ultrasound device is arranged to direct signals. An acoustic marker mounted on the catheter emits a sonic wave when electrically excited. A central processing unit creates a graphical representation of the internal structure, and super-imposes items of data onto the graphical representation at locations that represent the respective plurality of locations within the internal structure corresponding to the plurality of items of data. A display system displays the graphical representation onto which the plurality of items of data are super-imposed.

Catheters for imaging, sensing electrical potentials and ablating tissue

Surgical devices for treating tissue are provided. Also provided are systems for treating tissue and methods of treating tissue. An exemplary surgical device has a handle, a fluid passage connectable to a fluid source, a tip portion and a distal end. The tip portion can simultaneously provide RF power and conductive fluid to tissue. The tip portion includes an electrode having a domed portion having a domed surface and a cylindrical portion having a cylindrical surface. The domed portion is located distal to the cylindrical portion and occupies at least a portion of the distal end of the surgical device. The device includes a fluid outlet opening in fluid communication with the fluid passage, the fluid outlet opening configured to provide the conductive fluid to a surface of the electrode proximal to the distal end surface of the surgical device.

Fluid-assisted medical devices, systems and methods

This invention is a circumferential ablation device assembly which is adapted to forming a circumferential conduction block in a pulmonary vein. The assembly includes a circumferential ablation element which is adapted to ablate a circumferential region of tissue along a pulmonary vein wall which circumscribes the pulmonary vein lumen, thereby transecting the electrical conductivity of the pulmonary vein against conduction along its longitudinal axis and into the left atrium. The circumferential ablation element includes an expandable member with a working length that is adjustable from a radially collapsed position to a radially expanded position. An equatorial band circumscribes the outer surface of the working length and is adapted to ablate tissue adjacent thereto when actuated by an ablation actuator. The equatorial band has a length relative to the longitudinal axis of the expandable member that is narrow relative to the working length, and is also substantially shorter than its circumference when the working length is in the radially expanded position. A pattern of insulators may be included over an ablation element which otherwise spans the working length in order to form the equatorial band described. The expandable member is also adapted to conform to the pulmonary vein in the region of its ostium, such as by providing a great deal of radial compliance or by providing a taper along the working length which has a distally reducing outer diameter. A linear ablation element is provided adjacent to the circumferential ablation element in a combination assembly which is adapted for use in a less-invasive “maze”-type procedure in the region of the pulmonary vein ostia in the left ventricle.

Circumferential ablation device assembly

An ablation apparatus including a maneuvering mechanism, a conductive element attached to the apparatus, a sensor attached to the apparatus and an output device in communication with the sensor is provided. The sensor senses vibration during the ablation procedure and sends a signal to the output device to reduce power to the conductive element.

Vibration sensitive ablation device and method

The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for producing a virtual electrode within or upon a tissue to be treated with radio frequency alternating electric current, such tissues including but not limited to liver, lung, cardiac, prostate, breast, and vascular tissues and neoplasms. An apparatus in accord with the present invention includes a supply of a conductive or electrolytic fluid to be provided to the patient, an alternating current generator, and a processor for creating, maintaining, and controlling the ablation process by the interstitial or surficial delivery of the fluid to a tissue and the delivery of electric power to the tissue via the virtual electrode. A method in accord with the present invention includes delivering a conductive fluid to a predetermined tissue ablation site for a predetermined time period, applying a predetermined power level of radio frequency current to the tissue, monitoring at least one of several parameters, and adjusting either the applied power and/or the fluid flow in response to the measured parameters.

Apparatus and method for creating, maintaining, and controlling a virtual electrode used for the ablation of tissue

A catheter device incorporating combined ultrasound ablation and balloon dilation components. The catheter device generally comprises an elongate catheter body having proximal and distal ends and an outer surface. Disposed on the outer surface of the catheter body is a dilation balloon. At least one balloon inflation lumen fluidly connects the proximal end of the catheter body to the dilation balloon to permit injection of inflation fluid into the dilation balloon. Extending longitudinally through the catheter body is an ultrasound transmission member having a proximal end and a distal end, with the proximal end being connectable to an ultrasound transducer such that ultrasonic energy will pass through the ultrasound transmission member to the distal end thereof. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, there are provided catheter devices incorporating combined ultrasound ablation and laser ablation components as well as combined ultrasound ablation and atherectomy ablation components.

Angioplasty and ablative devices having onboard ultrasound components and devices and methods for utilizing ultrasound to treat or prevent vasospasm

An ultrasound catheter for removing obstructions from tubular anatomic structures such as blood vessels, said catheter comprising an elongate flexible catheter body having an ultrasound transmission member or wire extending longitudinally therethrough. A distal head is formed on the distal end of the ultrasound transmission member or wire and is affixed to the catheter body. The ultrasound transmission member or wire may be formed of any material capable of transmitting ultrasonic energy including various superelastic metal alloys such as nickel titanium metal alloys. The distal portion of the ultrasound transmission member or wire may be of reduced diameter to provide enhanced flexibility and/or amplification of the ultrasonic energy through the distal portion of the ultrasound transmission member or wire. A coating or jacket may be disposed on all or portion(s) of the ultrasound transmission member or wire to reduce friction between the ultrasound transmission member or wire and surrounding structures.

Ultra-sound catheter for removing obstructions from tubular anatomical structures such as blood vessels

Accurate in vivo measurement of blood oxygen saturation by fiberoptical means is made possible throughout a wide range of hematocrit or total hemoglobin values by using a single R/IR ratio I and calculating the SO2 value therefrom through the use of a second-order polynomial of the form SO2 = Ak2I2 + BkI + C in which A, B and C are hematocrit or total hemoglobin-dependent coefficients which may be contained in a lookup table accessed by a hematocrit or total hemoglobin value selection, and k is a purely multiplicative calibration constant which can be readily determined for any individual fiberoptic system.

Method and apparatus for determining oxygen saturation in vivo

The device comprises an ultrasound transmission member (24) in
a lumen (22) of a catheter and having a distal head (26), which is rigidly
mounted on the catheter. The distal head is thereby prevented from
undergoing longitudinal or transverse movement separate from the catheter
(20). A portion of the head is within the catheter and a further portion
extends beyond the distal end of the catheter. A guide wire aperture (40)
in the head permits a guidewire (42) in the lumen (22) to extend through
the head.

Ultrasonic angioplasty catheter device

A catheter device (10) incorporating combined ultrasound ablation and balloon dilation components. The catheter device (10) generally comprises an elongate catheter body (12) having proximal and distal ends (14, 16) and an outer surface (18). Disposed on the outer surface (18) of the catheter body (12) is a dilation balloon (98). At least one balloon inflation lumen (70) fluidly connects the proximal end (14) of the catheter body (12) to the dilation balloon (98) to permit injection of inflation fluid into the dilation balloon (98). Extending longitudinally through the catheter body (12) is an ultrasound transmission member (28) having a proximal end and a distal end (30), with the proximal end being connectable to an ultrasound transducer (22) such that ultrasonic energy will pass through the ultrasound transmission member (28) to the distal end (30) thereof. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, there are provided catheter devices incorporating combined ultrasound ablation and laser ablation components as well as combined ultrasound ablation and atherectomy ablation components.

James D. Passafaro

Papers

Angioplasty and ablative devices having onboard ultrasound components and devices and methods for utilizing ultrasound to treat or prevent vasospasm

Ultra-sound catheter for removing obstructions from tubular anatomical structures such as blood vessels

Method and apparatus for determining oxygen saturation in vivo

Ultrasonic angioplasty catheter device

Ultrasonic Angioplasty and Ablative Devices for Treating Vasospasm