Abstract: A balloon catheter device with a fluid management system includes a source of balloon fill media and a balloon catheter in fluid communication with the source of balloon fill media. A first conduit is provided for delivering the balloon fill media from the source to the balloon catheter for inflation of a balloon of the catheter device. A second conduit is provided for returning the balloon fill media from the balloon catheter to the source for deflating the balloon. A first pump is disposed along one of the first conduit and the second conduit for pumping the balloon fill media through the respective conduits.

Abstract: An ablation catheter for performing a treatment under direct visualization of a region to be treated includes a catheter body and an energy emitter that is movable relative to the catheter body. The ablation catheter includes first and second imaging devices for providing direct visualization of the region to be treated, with the first imaging device being fixed relative to the catheter body. The first and second imaging devices can be in the form of first and second imaging chip endoscopes.

Abstract: An ablation instrument (e.g., an ablation balloon catheter system) includes an elongate catheter having a housing with a window formed therein. An energy emitter is coupled to the elongate catheter and is configured to deliver ablative energy. A controller is received within the window and is coupled to the energy emitter such that axial movement of the controller within the window is translated to axial movement of the energy emitter and rotation of the controller within the window is translated into rotation of the energy emitter. The instrument includes a motor that is at least partially disposed within the housing of the catheter; a first gear that is operatively connected to and driven by the motor; and a second gear that is coupled to the energy emitter and is driven by the first gear to cause rotation of the energy emitter, while allowing the energy emitter to move axially.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to ablation instruments and methods of use thereof, in particular to ablation catheters and methods for an automated sweeping ablation element. The automated sweeping ablation element is configured to provide ablative energy to an initial ablation site and move a predetermined number of degrees to one or both sides of the site in an arcuate path using a sweeping motion while still providing the ablative energy. The sweeping movement of the ablation element can be automated via input parameters entered by a user via a graphical user interface or other device (controller).

Abstract: A method for maintaining a balloon of a balloon catheter at a prescribed pressure of between about 0.2 psi and 1 psi comprises the step of: generating a vacuum within a reservoir defined in a burette that is part of a fluid management system that is configured to controllably inflating and deflating the balloon by circulating balloon fill media along a fluid circuit, wherein generating the vacuum results in formation of a pressure differential along the fluid circuit, thereby allowing the balloon to be maintained at the prescribed pressure between about 0.2 psi and about 1 psi.

Abstract: A catheter device provides a balloon structure and a side-firing laser lumen within the balloon to create lesions in the pulmonary vein (PV) in the treatment of atrial fibrillation. Mounted on the balloon so as to contact the PV when the balloon is inflated are one or more electrodes which may be used in a measurement mode, a treatment mode, or both.

Abstract: An ablation instrument (e.g., an ablation balloon catheter system) includes an elongate catheter having a housing with a window formed therein. An energy emitter is coupled to the elongate catheter and is configured to deliver ablative energy. A controller is received within the window and is coupled to the energy emitter such that axial movement of the controller within the window is translated to axial movement of the energy emitter and rotation of the controller within the window is translated into rotation of the energy emitter. The instrument includes a motor that is at least partially disposed within the housing of the catheter; a first gear that is operatively connected to and driven by the motor; and a second gear that is coupled to the energy emitter and is driven by the first gear to cause rotation of the energy emitter, while allowing the energy emitter to move axially.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to ablation instruments and methods of use thereof, in particular to ablation catheters and methods for an automated sweeping ablation element. The automated sweeping ablation element is configured to provide ablative energy to an initial ablation site and move a predetermined number of degrees to one or both sides of the site in an arcuate path using a sweeping motion while still providing the ablative energy. The sweeping movement of the ablation element can be automated via input parameters entered by a user via a graphical user interface or other device (controller).

Abstract: A system is provided for identifying the sufficiency of lesions formed during a tissue ablation procedure. The system and method include administering an ICG composition to the patient and forming one or more lesions at a surgical site. The method further includes applying energy of a type and in an amount sufficient to cause ICG in the patient to fluoresce. An image of the tissue and lesion at the surgical site is obtained while the ICG fluoresces. The lesion is distinguished from surrounding de novo tissue based on areas of fluorescence to allow a user to evaluate the quality of the lesion.

Abstract: A balloon catheter device with a fluid management system includes a source of balloon fill media and a balloon catheter in fluid communication with the source of balloon fill media. A first conduit is provided for delivering the balloon fill media from the source to the balloon catheter for inflation of a balloon of the catheter device. A second conduit is provided for returning the balloon fill media from the balloon catheter to the source for deflating the balloon. A first pump is disposed along one of the first conduit and the second conduit for pumping the balloon fill media through the respective conduits.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling fill media in a balloon catheter are disclosed. The system comprises a catheter having an inflatable balloon, a reservoir for fill media, and a first conduit for delivering fill media from the reservoir to the balloon. The system includes a second conduit for returning fill media from the balloon to the reservoir and a pump configured to circulate fill media through the conduits. The system also includes a valve assembly configured for placement in at least three positions. In the first position, fill media is delivered from the reservoir to the balloon to inflate the balloon. In the second position, fill media is drawn out of the balloon and returned to the reservoir. In the third position, fill media circulates through the conduits between the pump and the balloon and is prevented from flowing back to the reservoir.

Abstract: A method for maintaining a balloon of a balloon catheter at a prescribed pressure of between about 0.2 psi and 1 psi comprises the step of: generating a vacuum within a reservoir defined in a burette that is part of a fluid management system that is configured to controllably inflating and deflating the balloon by circulating balloon fill media along a fluid circuit, wherein generating the vacuum results in formation of a pressure differential along the fluid circuit, thereby allowing the balloon to be maintained at the prescribed pressure between about 0.2 psi and about 1 psi.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to ablation instruments and methods of use thereof, in particular to ablation catheters and methods for providing visual confirmation of pulmonary isolation during an ablation procedure and preferably, in real-time.

Abstract: Guided ablation instruments are disclosed for creating lesions in tissue, especially cardiac tissue for treatment of arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation. In one aspect of the invention, a percutaneous catheter is disclosed with an endoscope positionable in the instrument's distal end region to obtain an image. The image allows the clinician to determine whether contact has been achieved (or blood has been cleared from an ablative energy transmission path) before ablation begins or while ablation is occurring. In one embodiment, percutaneous ablation catheters are disclosed having at least one central lumen and one or more balloon structures at the distal end region of the instrument. Also disposed in the distal end region are an illuminating light source and an endoscope capable of collecting sufficient light to relay an image to the user. The instruments can further include an ablation element.

Abstract: Systems for visualizing cardiac tissue during an ablation procedure are provided. In general, the systems include an imaging module configured to measure absorbance data at first and second wavelengths wherein the ratio of these absorbance values identifies the nature of the tissue (e.g., lesion, de novo tissue, etc.). The imaging module can also include a video system having at least two chips with corresponding bandpass filters centered at the first and second target wavelengths. The system can also include a processor and/or video monitor for combining the images produced by the various chips, determining treated and non-treated tissue based on the ratio of absorbance values at the target wavelengths, and displaying images of the treatment area. Methods of visualizing cardiac treatment areas during ablation procedures are also provided herein.

Abstract: Methods and instruments are disclosed for creating lesions in tissue, especially cardiac tissue, for treatment of arrhythmias and the like, by employing an elastic balloon and an energy emitter, which is independently positionable within the lumen of the instrument and adapted to project a series of spots of ablative energy through a transmissive region of the balloon to a target tissue site. The energy emitter preferably is configured such the spots of energy result in a series of lesions formed in the target tissue region when the emitter is activated, the lesions having an average area ranging from about 5 mm2 to about 100 mm2.

Abstract: Systems for visualizing cardiac tissue during an ablation procedure are provided. In general, the systems include an imaging module configured to measure absorbance data at first and second wavelengths wherein the ratio of these absorbance values identifies the nature of the tissue (e.g., lesion, de novo tissue, etc.). The imaging module can also include a video system having at least two chips with corresponding bandpass filters centered at the first and second target wavelengths. The system can also include a processor and/or video monitor for combining the images produced by the various chips, determining treated and non-treated tissue based on the ratio of absorbance values at the target wavelengths, and displaying images of the treatment area. Methods of visualizing cardiac treatment areas during ablation procedures are also provided herein.