Abstract: A flexible microwave antenna assembly for a surgical ablation instrument capable of conforming to a tissue surface for ablation thereof. The ablation instrument includes a transmission line having a proximal portion suitable for connection to an electromagnetic energy source. The antenna assembly includes a flexible antenna coupled to the transmission line for radially generating an electric field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation. A flexible shield device is coupled to the antenna to substantially shield a surrounding area of the antenna from the electric field radially generated therefrom while permitting a majority of the field to be directed generally in a predetermined direction. A flexible insulator is disposed between the shield device and the antenna which defines a window portion enabling the transmission of the directed electric field in the predetermined direction.

Abstract: A securing apparatus for selectively securing an ablating element of an ablation instrument proximate to a targeted region of a biological tissue. The securing apparatus includes a support base affixed to the ablation instrument relative the ablating element, and having a support face adapted to seat against the biological tissue proximate to the ablation element. The support base further defines a passage having one end communicably coupled to a vacuum source and an opposite end terminating at an orifice at the support face. The support face together with the biological tissue forms a hermetic seal thereagainst during operation of the vacuum source to secure the ablation instrument thereagainst. Essentially, the hermetic seal and the vacuum source cooperate to form a vacuum force sufficient to retain the ablation device against the biological tissue.

Abstract: A medical instrument is disclosed. The medical instrument includes a pair of spaced apart and electrically isolated elongated wire electrodes positioned adjacent one another on a working member. The wire electrodes are arranged for sensing electrical activity of biological tissues inside the body of the patient. The medical instrument also includes a pair of electrically isolated electrode wires that extend through the working member. Each of the electrode wires are electrically coupled to an associated wire electrode.

Abstract: A medical instrument is disclosed. The medical instrument includes a pair of spaced apart and electrically isolated elongated wire electrodes positioned adjacent one another on a working member. The wire electrodes are arranged for sensing electrical activity of biological tissues inside the body of the patient. The medical instrument also includes a pair of electrically isolated electrode wires that extend through the working member. Each of the electrode wires are electrically coupled to an associated wire electrode.

Abstract: A microwave ablation assembly and method including a relatively thin, elongated probe (21) having a proximal access end (22) and an opposite distal penetration end (23) adapted to penetrate into bio-tissue (25). The probe (21) defines an insert passage (26) extending therethrough from the access end (22) to the penetration end (23) thereof. An ablation catheter includes a coaxial transmission line (28) with an antenna device (30) coupled to a distal end of the transmission line (28) for generating an electric field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation. The coaxial transmission line (28) includes an inner conductor (31) and an outer conductor (32) separated by a dielectric material medium (33). A proximal end of the transmission line (28) is coupled to a microwave energy source.

Abstract: An ablation instrument having a flexible portion at or near the distal portion of the instrument, is provided. The instrument includes an elongated tubular member having a steerable distal end configured to deflect, or otherwise direct, and properly position at least a portion of the distal portion, comprising an ablation device, during an ablation procedure. The instrument further includes a deflectable member which cooperates with the steering system allowing for the proper placement of the ablation device adjacent or proximate to the target tissue surface. The steering system may alternatively be incorporated into a separate guiding catheter as part of the catheter system.

Abstract: An instrument is provided to assess the transmurality of an ablation lesion from a first surface of a targeted biological tissue to an opposed second surface thereof. The instrument includes a needle member having an elongated shaft and a distal tip portion adapted to pierce the tissue first surface and into the ablation lesion of the biological tissue. A plurality of needle electrodes are spaced-apart along the elongated shaft. When the needle member pierces the tissue first surface, each the electrode being positioned at different respective depths of the biological tissue from the tissue first surface to the tissue second surface. These electrodes each measure at least one of conduction time, conduction velocity, phase angle, and impedance through at least a portion of the targeted tissue and at the respective depth to determine the transmurality of the ablation lesion.

Abstract: An ablation catheter apparatus with a monopole antenna that is arranged to provide a relatively uniform electric field and a method for using such an ablation catheter apparatus are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, an ablation catheter includes an elongated flexible tubular member that is adapted to be inserted into the body of a patient, and a transmission line that is disposed within the tubular member. The transmission line has a distal end and a proximal end which is arranged to be connected to an electromagnetic energy source. The catheter also includes a monopole antenna with tip section and a body section that includes a distal end and a proximal end. The tip section and the body section are arranged to produce a relatively uniform electric field around the monopole antenna which is sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation. The proximal end of the body section of the monopole antenna is arranged to be electrically coupled to the transmission line.

Abstract: An ablation system incorporating an enhanced deflectable distal portion, is provided. The system includes an elongated tubular member having a deflectable distal portion adapted to assume a specific predetermined or predefined shape when deployed. The predetermined shape allows for the creation of a desired uniform energy emission pattern with respect to a target tissue, such that energy may be directed toward the target tissue independent of an approach orientation of the ablation system. The energy pattern results in the creation of a desired tissue ablation. The ablation system may further comprise a steering system which aides in directing the distal portion toward a target tissue site. The steering system may alternatively be incorporated into a separate guiding catheter as part of the ablation system.

Abstract: A system and method for positioning a medical instrument at a desired biological target tissue site is provided. The system includes an elongated sheath having a deflectable distal end configured to deflect or otherwise position at least a portion of a medical instrument during a surgical procedure allowing for the placement of the deflected portion adjacent or proximate to a predetermined target tissue surface. The positioning system may be incorporated into the medical instrument. The medical instrument may be an ablation system.

Abstract: A medical instrument is disclosed. The medical instrument includes a pair of spaced apart and electrically isolated elongated wire electrodes positioned adjacent one another on a working member. The wire electrodes are arranged for sensing electrical activity of biological tissues inside the body of the patient. The medical instrument also includes a pair of electrically isolated electrode wires that extend through the working member. Each of the electrode wires are electrically coupled to an associated wire electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided as an accessory to an ablation device or instrument. The accessory includes a first and second jaw members adapted to work with an existing ablation device during ablation of biological tissue. The first jaw member includes a partial lumen adapted to accept and hold an ablation device therein. The accessory further includes a clamping means operably attached to the jaw members to facilitate placement and retention of target tissue therebetween. The accessory may incorporate a transmurality assessment system to determined whether the ablation is complete. The transmurality system may actively or passively obtain tissue characteristics indicating transmurality. These transmurality systems may includes two or more electrodes which each measure at least one of conduction time, conduction distance, conduction velocity, phase angle, and impedance through at least a portion of the targeted tissue to determine the transmurality of the ablation lesion.

Abstract: A medical instrument is disclosed. The medical instrument includes a pair of spaced apart and electrically isolated elongated wire electrodes positioned adjacent one another on a working member. The wire electrodes are arranged for sensing electrical activity of biological tissues inside the body of the patient. The medical instrument also includes a pair of electrically isolated electrode wires that extend through the working member. Each of the electrode wires are electrically coupled to an associated wire electrode.

Abstract: An instrument is provided to assess the transmurality of an ablation lesion from a first surface of a targeted biological tissue to an opposed second surface thereof. The instrument includes at least a first electrode operably attached to an ablation instrument adapted to engage a tissue first surface, and at least a second electrode adapted to engage a tissue second surface, the at least second electrode positioned generally opposed to the at least first electrode. Alternatively, the at least second electrode may be adapted to be placed within a chamber of an organ. These electrodes each measure at least one of conduction time, conduction velocity, phase angle, and impedance through at least a portion of the targeted tissue to determine the transmurality of the ablation lesion.

Abstract: A system and method for ablating a selected portion of a contact surface of biological tissue is provided. The system includes an elongated ablation sheath having a preformed shape adapted to substantially conform a predetermined surface thereof with the contact surface of the tissue. The elongated ablation sheath includes a non-permeable portion. The ablation sheath defines an ablation lumen sized to slideably receive an elongated ablative device longitudinally therethrough. The ablative device includes a flexible ablation element selectively generating an ablative field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation. Advancement of the ablation element slideably through the ablation lumen of the ablation sheath selectively places the ablation element along the ablation path for guide ablation on the contact surface when the predetermined surface is in strategic contact therewith.

Abstract: An ablation instrument having a flexible portion at or near the distal portion of the instrument, is provided. The instrument includes an elongated tubular member having a steerable distal end configured to deflect, or otherwise direct, and properly position at least a portion of the distal portion, comprising an ablation device, during an ablation procedure. The instrument further includes a deflectable member which cooperates with the steering system allowing for the proper placement of the ablation device adjacent or proximate to the target tissue surface. The steering system may alternatively be incorporated into a separate guiding catheter as part of the catheter system.

Abstract: An ablation system incorporating an enhanced deflectable distal portion, is provided. The system includes an elongated tubular member having a deflectable distal portion adapted to assume a specific predetermined or predefined shape when deployed. The predetermined shape allows for the creation of a desired uniform energy emission pattern with respect to a target tissue, such that energy may be directed toward the target tissue independent of an approach orientation of the ablation system. The energy pattern results in the creation of a desired tissue ablation. The ablation system may further comprise a steering system which aides in directing the distal portion toward a target tissue site. The steering system may alternatively be incorporated into a separate guiding catheter as part of the ablation system.

Abstract: A catheter system with an enhanced steering system, allowing for positioning the distal portion of the catheter proximate to a desired biological target tissue site, is provided. The system includes an elongated tubular member having a steerable distal end configured to deflect, or otherwise direct, and properly position at least a portion of the distal end comprising an ablation device during a surgical procedure allowing for the placement of the deflected portion adjacent or proximate to the target tissue surface. The steering system may alternatively be incorporated into a separate guiding catheter as part of the catheter system.

Abstract: A system and method for positioning a medical instrument at a desired biological target tissue site is provided. The system includes an elongated sheath having a deflectable distal end configured to deflect or otherwise position at least a portion of a medical instrument during a surgical procedure allowing for the placement of the deflected portion adjacent or proximate to a predetermined target tissue surface. The positioning system may be incorporated into the medical instrument. The medical instrument may be an ablation system.

Abstract: A microwave ablation assembly and method including a relatively thin, elongated probe (21) having a proximal access end (22) and an opposite distal penetration end (23) adapted to penetrate into bio-tissue (25). The probe (21) defines an insert passage (26) extending therethrough from the access end (22) to the penetration end (23) thereof. An ablation catheter includes a coaxial transmission line (28) with an antenna device (30) coupled to a distal end of the transmission line (28) for generating an electric field sufficiently strong to cause tissue ablation. The coaxial transmission line (28) includes an inner conductor (31) and an outer conductor (32) separated by a dielectric material medium (33). A proximal end of the transmission line (28) is coupled to a microwave energy source.