Abstract: A tissue ablation device assembly ablates a region of tissue in a body of a patient. The tissue ablation device assembly comprises an elongated body having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. A tubular porous membrane having a porous wall with an inner surface that defines an inner space is located along the distal end portion of the elongated body. An ablation element is disposed over the porous membrane, with the ablation element having a fixed position with respect to the porous membrane. A fluid passageway extending through the elongated body and communicates with the inner space. The fluid passageway is adapted to be fluidly coupled to a pressurizeable fluid source for delivering a volume of pressurized fluid from the fluid source to the inner space. The porous membrane allows at least a substantial portion of the volume of pressurized fluid to pass through the porous wall for enhancing ablative coupling between the electrode and the region of tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system adapted to position a medical device, such as an ablation catheter, at a location where a pulmonary vein extends from an atrium. The system optimally includes a deflectable catheter and a sheath. An ablation member is disclosed for use with the positioning system, wherein the deflectable catheter and the sheath cooperate so as to facilitate positioning of the ablation member at the location.

Abstract: This invention is related to a tissue ablation system and method that treats atrial arrhythmia by ablating a circumferential region of tissue at a location where a pulmonary vein extends from an atrium. The system includes a circumferential ablation member with an ablation element and also includes a delivery assembly for delivering the ablation member to the location. The circumferential ablation member is generally adjustable between different configurations to allow both the delivery through a delivery sheath into the atrium and the ablative coupling between the ablation element and the circumferential region of tissue.

Abstract: A tissue ablation device assembly ablates a region of tissue in a body of a patient. The tissue ablation device assembly comprises an elongated body having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. A tubular porous membrane having a porous wall with an inner surface that defines an inner space is located along the distal end portion of the elongated body. An ablation element is disposed over the porous membrane, with the ablation element having a fixed position with respect to the porous membrane. A fluid passageway extending through the elongated body and communicates with the inner space. The fluid passageway is adapted to be fluidly coupled to a pressurizeable fluid source for delivering a volume of pressurized fluid from the fluid source to the inner space. The porous membrane allows at least a substantial portion of the volume of pressurized fluid to pass through the porous wall for enhancing ablative coupling between the electrode and the region of tissue.

Abstract: A deflectable tip catheter that is used in combination with a guidewire for delivery of an ablation element to target areas of a patient's vasculature. The deflectable tip catheter has a handle portion, an elongated shaft and a deflectable tip portion. A guidewire lumen extends through the elongated shaft and deflectable tip portion. A guidewire passes through the guidewire lumen and exits from a port in the distal end of the deflectable tip portion. The deflectable tip of the catheter is deflected by manipulation of the handle portion to direct the advancement of the guidewire as the guidewire is advanced out of the distal port. By using the deflectable tip portion to direct the advancement of the guidewire, the physician's ability to navigate sharp angles is greatly improved. The deflectable tip catheter is particularly suitable for delivering an ablation element to a pulmonary vein or pulmonary vein branch for performing circumferential ultrasound vein ablation to treat atrial fibrillation.

Abstract: This invention is related to a tissue ablation system and method that treats atrial arrhythmia by ablating a circumferential region of tissue at a location where a pulmonary vein extends from an atrium. The system includes a circumferential ablation member with an ablation element and also includes a delivery assembly for delivering the ablation member to the location. The circumferential ablation member is generally adjustable between different configurations to allow both the delivery through a delivery sheath into the atrium and the ablative coupling between the ablation element and the circumferential region of tissue.

Abstract: This invention is related to a tissue ablation system and method that treats atrial arrhythmia by ablating a circumferential region of tissue at a location where a pulmonary vein extends from an atrium. The system includes a circumferential ablation member with an ablation element and also includes a delivery assembly for delivering the ablation member to the location. The circumferential ablation member is generally adjustable between different configurations to allow both the delivery through a delivery sheath into the atrium and the ablative coupling between the ablation element and the circumferential region of tissue.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for attaching a sensor to an inflatable balloon. The method involves bonding the sensor to the balloon with an adhesive while the balloon is in an expanded state and then collapsing the balloon after the adhesive has at least partially cured. The method reduces the possibility of a failure of the bond between the sensor and the balloon. The method is particularly useful in the construction of a tissue ablation catheter for forming a lesion along a substantially circumferential region of tissue wherein a sensor is used for monitoring the temperature of the tissue being ablated.

Abstract: A medical balloon catheter assembly includes a balloon having a permeable region and a non-permeable region. The balloon is constructed at least in part from a fluid permeable tube such that the permeable region is formed from a porous material which allows a volume of pressurized fluid to pass from within a chamber formed by the balloon and into the permeable region sufficiently such that the fluid may be ablatively coupled to tissue engaged by the permeable region. The non-permeable region is adapted to substantially block the pressurized fluid from passing from within the chamber and outwardly from the balloon. The porous material may be a porous fluoropolymer, such as porous polytetrafluoroethylene, and the pores may be created by voids that are inherently formed between an interlocking node-fibril network that makes up the fluoropolymer. Such voids may be created according to one mode by expanding the fluoropolymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system adapted to position an ablation catheter at a location where a pulmonary vein extends from an atrium. The system includes a deflection device and a sheath and optionally uses a guidewire. An ablation catheter is disclosed for use with the positioning system, wherein the deflection device and the sheath cooperate so as to facilitate positioning of the catheter at the location.

Abstract: This invention is a circumferential ablation device assembly which is adapted to form a circumferential conduction block in a pulmonary vein. The assembly generally comprises a handheld surgical ablation probe having a rigid shaft for insertion through a patient's chest and a circumferential ablation element mounted on the distal end portion of the shaft. The circumferential ablation element is adapted to ablate a circumferential region of tissue along a pulmonary vein wall which circumscribes the pulmonary vein lumen. The circumferential ablation element includes an expandable member for anchoring the distal end portion of the shaft in a body structure and an ultrasound transducer disposed within the expandable member for emitting ultrasonic energy to ablate the tissue in the pulmonary vein.

Abstract: This invention is related to a tissue ablation system and method that treats atrial arrhythmia by ablating a circumferential region of tissue at a location where a pulmonary vein extends from an atrium. The system includes a circumferential ablation member with an ablation element and also includes a delivery assembly for delivering the ablation member to the location. The circumferential ablation member is generally adjustable between different configurations to allow both the delivery through a delivery sheath into the atrium and the ablative coupling between the ablation element and the circumferential region of tissue.

Abstract: A medical device assembly and method provides an ultrasound transducer mounted onto a delivery member, such the elongate body of a catheter shaft, without a support structure bridging between a separation area between the transducer and the shaft. Mounting flanges are extend from either end of the transducer and are mounted at first and second locations along the catheter shaft such that the transducer is suspended over the catheter shaft between those mounting locations. The flanges may be connected by an intermediate member, with the transducer supported on either an outer surface or an inner surface of the intermediate member. The intermediate member may also provide a housing with an enclosed space that houses the transducer, wherein the flanges extend from the housing for mounting to the catheter shaft.

Abstract: A medical device assembly and method provides an ultrasound transducer mounted onto a catheter shaft. The ultrasound transducer is mounted such that there is a radial separation between the transducer and the underlying catheter shaft. The transducer is mounted on support structures which do not bridge the gap between the transducer and delivery member. The location of the support structures provides for an “airbacked” transducer that is very efficient and prevents heat build-up in the materials in contact therewith.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an anchor device comprising an elongated tubular body having an expandable member disposed on its distal end portion. The invention also relates to a system adapted to position and anchor the distal end of an ablation device at a location where a pulmonary vein extends from the atrium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tissue ablation device assembly which is adapted to form a conduction block along a length of tissue between two predetermined locations along the left atrial wall. The assembly comprises an ablation element on an elongated ablation member that is coupled to each of two delivery members, wherein the delivery members are adapted to controllably position and secure the ablation element along the length of tissue between the predetermined locations. A linear lesion in the tissue between the predetermined locations is then formed by actuation of the ablation element. The invention further provides that the ablation member may slideably engage one or two delivery members such that an adjustable length of the ablation element along the ablation member may be extended externally from the engaged delivery member and along a length of tissue.

Abstract: A tissue ablation device assembly ablates a region of tissue of a body space wall of a patient. In a tissue ablation device assembly, an ablation member is disposed on the distal end portion of an elongated body. The ablation member includes an ablation element and at least one conductor coupled to the ablation element. A porous membrane covers the ablation element and defines an inner space between the ablation element and an inner surface of the porous membrane. A pressurizable fluid passageway extends between a fluid port on the proximal end portion of the elongated body and the inner space within the porous membrane. Fluid can pass from the fluid port, through the pressurizable fluid passageway, to the inner space. The porous membrane allows a volume of pressurized fluid to pass through the porous membrane to an exterior of the ablation member so as to irrigate the ablation element.

Abstract: This invention relates to a surgical device and method. More particularly, it relates to a tissue ablation device assembly and method using a circumferential ablation member in combination with a position monitoring assembly in order to position the circumferential ablation member along a circumferential region of tissue at a location where a pulmonary vein extends from a left atrium.

Abstract: A medical balloon catheter assembly includes a balloon having a permeable region and a non-permeable region. The balloon is constructed at least in part from a fluid permeable tube such that the permeable region is formed from a porous material which allows a volume of pressurized fluid to pass from within a chamber formed by the balloon and into the permeable region sufficiently such that the fluid may be ablatively coupled to tissue engaged by the permeable region. The non-permeable region is adapted to substantially block the pressurized fluid from passing from within the chamber and outwardly from the balloon. The porous material may be a porous fluoropolymer, such as porous polytetrafluoroethylene, and the pores may be created by voids which are inherently formed between an interlocking node-fibril network which makes up the fluoropolymer. Such voids may be created according to one mode by expanding the fluoropolymer.

Abstract: 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.