Blood Vessel Isolation Ablation Device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2019380762-A1
Application number	US-201816485022-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 21, 2018
Priority date	Feb 21, 2017
Publication date	Dec 19, 2019
Grant date	—

Abstract

A kit for use in cryoablation procedures includes a cryoablation catheter having a cryoballoon positioned about its distal region. A pressure sensor is positioned distally of the cryoballoon. The catheter can be introduced into a patient's left atrium and the cryoballoon inflated. The cryoballoon can then be advanced into contact with a pulmonary vein wall in a manner that occludes the pulmonary vein. Occlusion can be verified by measuring a pressure within the pulmonary vein. Once occlusion is verified, the cryoballoon can be cooled to form a circumferential lesion about the pulmonary vein.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An apparatus for use in ablation procedures, comprising:
an ablation catheter comprising:
an elongate body having a lumen, the elongate body including a distal region; and
a balloon positioned about the distal region and defining an interior in communication with the lumen, wherein the balloon is expandable outwardly from an outer surface of the elongate body; and
a pressure sensor positioned distally of the balloon.

2 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising an electrophysiology catheter dimensioned for insertion through the lumen, and wherein the pressure sensor comprises at least one pressure sensor positioned on at least one of a distal region of the electrophysiology catheter and the distal region of the ablation catheter.

3 . The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein a first pressure sensor is positioned on the distal region of the electrophysiology catheter and a second pressure sensor is positioned on the distal region of the ablation catheter.

4 . The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the electrophysiology catheter comprises a circular mapping catheter.

5 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a guidewire over which the ablation catheter can be advanced, and wherein the pressure sensor comprises at least one pressure sensor positioned on at least one of a distal region of the guidewire and the distal region of the ablation catheter.

6 . The apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein a first pressure sensor is positioned on the distal region of the guidewire and a second pressure sensor is positioned on the distal region of the ablation catheter.

7 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a pressure sensor positioned on the elongate body proximally of the balloon.

8 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the pressure sensor comprises an optical pressure sensor.

9 . A system for use in cryoablation procedures, comprising:
a first device; a second device comprising:
an elongate body having a lumen dimensioned to receive the first device therethrough, the elongate body including a distal region; and
a balloon positioned about the distal region and defining an interior in communication with the lumen, wherein the balloon is expandable outwardly from an outer surface of the elongate body; and
at least one pressure sensor positioned on at least one of the distal region of the second device and a distal region of the first device.

10 . The system according to claim 9 , wherein the first device comprises a guidewire.

11 . The system according to claim 9 , wherein the first device comprises an electrophysiology catheter.

12 . The system according to claim 9 , wherein the at least one pressure sensor comprises a first pressure sensor positioned on the distal region of the first device and a second pressure sensor positioned on the distal region of the second device.

13 . The system according to claim 9 , wherein the at least one pressure sensor is positioned on the distal region of the second device distally of the balloon.

14 . The system according to claim 9 , further comprising at least one pressure sensor positioned on the second device proximally of the balloon.

15 . The system according to claim 9 , wherein the at least one pressure sensor comprises an optical pressure sensor.

16 . A method of performing a pulmonary vein isolation, comprising:
introducing an ablation catheter into a left atrium of a heart, the ablation catheter comprising a balloon; inflating the balloon; advancing the balloon into contact with a wall of a pulmonary vein; verifying that the balloon is occluding the pulmonary vein by measuring a pressure within the pulmonary vein; and delivering an ablation fluid into the balloon to form a circumferential lesion about the pulmonary vein.

17 . The method according to claim 16 , wherein measuring the pressure within the pulmonary vein comprises measuring the pressure within the pulmonary vein using a pressure sensor mounted to the ablation catheter distal of the balloon.

18 . The method according to claim 16 , wherein:
introducing an ablation catheter into a left atrium of a heart comprises introducing the ablation catheter into the left atrium of the heart over a guidewire; and measuring the pressure within the pulmonary vein comprises measuring the pressure within the pulmonary vein using a pressure sensor mounted to a region of the guidewire that remains distal of the balloon after introducing the ablation catheter into the left atrium of the heart over the guidewire.

19 . The method according to claim 16 , further comprising introducing an electrophysiology catheter into the pulmonary vein through a lumen in the ablation catheter, and wherein measuring the pressure within the pulmonary vein comprises measuring the pressure within the pulmonary vein using a pressure sensor mounted to a region of the electrophysiology catheter that extends distally of the ablation catheter.

20 . The method according to claim 16 , wherein verifying that the balloon is occluding the pulmonary vein comprises:
measuring a pressure within the pulmonary vein using a first pressure sensor positioned distal of the balloon; measuring a pressure within the left atrium using a second pressure sensor positioned proximal of the balloon; and comparing the pressure within the pulmonary vein to the pressure within the left atrium.

21 . The method according to claim 16 , wherein delivering an ablation fluid into the balloon to form a circumferential lesion about the pulmonary vein comprises delivering a cryogenic fluid into the balloon, thereby cooling the balloon to form the circumferential lesion via cryoablation.

22 . A method of performing a pulmonary vein isolation, comprising:
verifying occlusion of a pulmonary vein by a balloon utilizing a pressure within the pulmonary vein; and delivering ablation therapy to the pulmonary vein after verifying occlusion of the pulmonary vein.

23 . The method according to claim 22 , wherein delivering ablation therapy to the pulmonary vein comprises delivering cryoablation therapy to the pulmonary vein.

Assignees

• St Jude Medical Cardiology Div Inc

Inventors

• Dahlen Travis
• Tegg Troy

Classifications

• A61B2018/00839

  Bioelectrical parameters, e.g. ECG, EEG · CPC title

• A61B90/06

  Measuring instruments not otherwise provided for · CPC title

• A61B2018/00577

  Ablation · CPC title

• A61B2018/0022

  Balloons · CPC title

• A61M25/09

  Guide wires · CPC title