PERCUTANEOUS CATHETER AND GUIDEWIRE FOR FILTERING DURING ABLATION OF MYOCARDIAL OR VASCULAR TISSUE
An ablation catheter system for capturing and removing necrotic tissue and thrombi generated during an ablative procedure is disclosed. The catheter typically includes an elongate member, a filtration assembly disposed within the distal region, and an ablation instrument at the distal end. Alternatively, the ablation instrument is carried on the distal end of an ablation catheter, which is disposed within a lumen of the catheter system. The catheter may further include an aspiration port and lumen. Methods of using the devices in preventing distal embolization during ablative procedures are disclosed.
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This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/699,727, filed Nov. 3, 2003, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/766,940, filed Jan. 22, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,673,090, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/369,060, filed Aug. 4, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,235,044.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention generally relates to devices and methods useful in capturing embolic material during ablation of myocardial or vascular tissue. More specifically, the devices remove necrotic tissue debris generated during ablation of ectopic foci, e.g., in the left atrium, the right atrium, and the pulmonary vein, in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation or other sustained atrial tachyarrhythmias. The devices include a trapping mechanism for capturing the necrotic tissue debris and may include aspiration capabilities.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONAtrial fibrillation is the most common sustained arrhythmia in the United States, affecting over 2 million people. Its prevalence increases with age up to 5 percent in people more than 65 years of age. Atrial fibrillation is perpetuated by reentrant wavelets propagating outside the normal cardiac conduction pathway, resulting in rapid, irregular heart rate and the loss of atrioventricular synchrony. Atrial fibrillation is also important because of the associated fivefold increase in incidence of stroke.
Three patterns of atrial fibrillation exist: paroxysmal (intermittent), persistent (but able to be cardioverted), and permanent (cardioversion-resistant), with the pattern progressing over time in a given patient. Two strategies generally exist for managing patients with atrial fibrillation: rate control and anticoagulation versus attempts to restore and maintain sinus rhythm. Generally, in most patients, initial attempts are undertaken to restore sinus rhythm with electrical or pharmacologic cardioversion. Standard anti-arrhythmic agents include amiodarone, procainamide, or quinidine. However, disadvantages associated with anti-arrhythmic therapy are that (1) the anti-arrhythmic agents are pro-arrhythmic, e.g., causing torsades de pointe, (2) the anti-arrhythmic agents often carry significant side effects, such as lupus-like syndrome and agranulocytosis, and (3) even with two anti-arrhythmic drugs, some patients may be resistant to pharmacological therapy, e.g., patients may continue to have at least one episode of atrial fibrillation every two days or frequent isolated atrial ectopic beats (more than 700 per day).
If medical therapy fails to convert atrial fibrillation, electrical cardioversion, either externally or via an implanted device, can be attempted using 100 to 200 W.multidot.s of energy. Anticoagulation is usually recommended to reduce the incidence of embolization associated with cardioversion. Current recommendations suggest long-term anticoagulation for 3 to 4 weeks before cardioversion and 2 to 4 weeks following cardioversion.
Other treatment options for atrial fibrillation include catheter ablation of the atrioventricular (AV) node with pacemaker implantation, or modification of the AV node without pacemaker implantation. However, thromboembolic risk is unchanged and atrial systole is not restored with these procedures. Several alternatives have also been available to interrupt the reentrant wavelets, including extensive surgical, or recently, catheter-medicated atriotomy. Using the current techniques, the success rate of catheter ablation of other sustained atrial arrhythmias, e.g., atrial flutter and sustained atrial tachycardia, has been over 90%. Catheter ablation therefore represents an important alternative to pharmacologic therapy for treatment of atrial fibrillation and other sustained atrial arrhythmias.
In order to ablate the ectopic foci, electrophysiologic study (EPS) is required to locate the foci responsible for triggering of atrial fibrillation. According to Haissaguerre, et al., The New England Journal of Medicine (1998), vol. 339, No. 10, p. 659-666, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, three multi-electrode catheters are introduced percutaneously through the femoral veins: one catheter for ablation, one mapping catheter for positioning in the right atrial appendage (for locating ectopic foci in the right atrial and right pulmonary vein) or coronary sinus (for locating ectopic foci in the left pulmonary vein), and another catheter for stimulation of the atrial tissue to induce atrial fibrillation. In this study, patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation were found to have ectopic beats originating in the atrial muscle (“atrial foci”) and in pulmonary veins (the left superior, left inferior, right superior, and right inferior pulmonary veins). Direct mapping and ablation of the left atrium and pulmonary veins were performed via a trans-septal approach through the foramen ovale which lies in the interatrial septum. Alternatively, the catheters may be inserted retrograde in the aorta through the aortic valve and left ventricle. The ablation was performed at the site with earliest recorded ectopic activity.
The ablative techniques used to restore normal sinus rhythm, where the tissue surface is subjected to extreme localized temperature designed to kill cellular structures, can generate necrotic tissue fragments or blood clots. These tissue debris or thrombi may travel downstream from the procedural site to lodge in other organs, causing stroke, myocardial infarction, renal infarcts, and tissue ischemia in other organs. New devices and methods are thus needed for an ablation catheter having an ability to entrap and/or remove embolic debris generated during ablation of ectopic atrial foci in patients with atrial fibrillation or other sustained atrial arrhythmias, thereby reducing the risk of embolization.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is known that patients with drug and cardioversion refractory paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and other sustained atrial arrhythmias, e.g., atrial flutter and sustained atrial tachycardia, may benefit from catheter ablation of ectopic atrial foci. The present invention provides devices and methods which include filtering and aspiration capabilities for trapping and removing necrotic tissue debris and thrombi generated during the ablative therapy, thereby minimizing embolization to other organs.
In one embodiment, the medical device comprises a catheter which includes a flexible elongate member having a distal end adapted to enter a vessel and a proximal end which extends from a patients vessel and permits control outside the patient's body by a physician. At the distal end of the catheter is provided an ablation device and an expandable trapping mechanism. The ablation device may utilize radio frequency, laser, cryogenic, or microwave. The trapping mechanism, in certain embodiments, comprises an open-ended tubular member which extends to the proximal region of the catheter and is attached to a vacuum. In other embodiments, the trapping mechanism comprises a basket or opening in a tube, which is mounted proximal to the ablation device and surrounds the ablation device.
In another embodiment, the catheter may include a filtration mesh, typically disposed circumferentially about a distal region of the catheter proximal to the ablation device, so that filtration occurs downstream of the ablation. The filter will typically include a continuous mesh having a proximal edge circumferentially in contact with the outer surface of the catheter and a distal edge attached to an expansion mechanism, which contracts and expands radially outward. The construction and use of expansion means and associated filter mesh on a cannula have been thoroughly discussed in our earlier applications, including Barbut et al., U.S. application Ser. No., U.S. application Ser. No. 08/553,137, filed Nov. 7, 1995, Barbut et al., U.S. application Ser. No. 08/580,223, filed Dec. 28, 1995, Barbut et al., U.S. application Ser. No. 08/584,759, filed Jan. 9, 1996, Barbut et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,816, and Barbut et al., U.S. application Ser. No. 08/645,762, filed May 14, 1996, Barbut et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,662,671, Maahs, U.S. Pat. No. 5,846,260, and Tsugita et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,911,734, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
In still another embodiment, the catheter includes a second lumen communicating with a proximal end and an aspiration port at its distal end. The proximal end of the catheter is adapted for attachment to a vacuum. The port is located distal to the trapping mechanism and proximal to the ablation device for removing tissue debris generated during the ablation.
In still another embodiment, the device comprises a flexible elongate tube having a lumen communicating with a proximal end and a distal end. An expandable entrapping mechanism is mounted on a distal region of the catheter. An ablation catheter, which includes an ablation device at its distal end, is disposed within the lumen of the catheter. In certain embodiments, the catheter may include a second lumen communicating with a distal port adapted for aspiration of tissue debris.
The methods of the present invention protect a patient from embolization during ablative procedures to remove ectopic atrial foci in the right atrium, the left atrium, and/or the pulmonary veins. Using the devices described above, the distal end of the catheter is inserted percutaneously through a peripheral vein, e.g., the femoral vein, the brachial vein, the subclavian vein, or the internal/external jugular vein, into the right atrium. To ablate the ectopic foci in the right atrial appendage, the ablation device is positioned adjacent to the foci, and the entrapping mechanism, or filter, is expanded. During the ablation, necrotic tissue particles and/or thrombi generated are captured by the filter and/or removed by aspiration. To ablate the ectopic foci in the left atrial tissue or the pulmonary veins, the distal end of the catheter is advanced from the right atrium, through the foramen ovale, and enters the left atrium. Alternatively, the distal end of the catheter may be inserted percutaneously through a peripheral artery, e.g., the femoral artery, the brachial artery, the subclavian artery, or the axillary artery, retrograde into the aorta, the left ventricle, and the left atrium to access the foci in the left atrium or the pulmonary vein. It will be understood that the devices and methods can also be employed in an open surgical procedure (Maze technique).
In another method, after the ectopic atrial foci are located by electrophysiologic mapping, the distal end of the flexible guiding catheter carrying the filter at its distal region is inserted downstream the site of ablation. The filter is expanded. A steerable ablation catheter, having an ablation device mounted at its distal end, is inserted in the lumen of the guiding catheter to ablate the ectopic foci.
After the embolic tissue debris are entrapped by the filter, the filter is contracted to resume a small shape in close contact with the outer surface of the catheter. The catheter, with captured embolic material, is then withdrawn from the aorta or the vein and removed from the patient's body.
The devices and methods disclosed herein are best used in preventing peripheral embolization during ablation of ectopic foci in the right atrium, the left atrium, and the pulmonary veins in patients with atrial fibrillation or other sustained atrial arrhythmias. It will be understood that the devices and methods are applicable to ablating ectopic tissues in other cardiac arrhythmias, such as ventricular tachycardia or Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Normal cardiac conduction originates in sinoatrial (SA) node 110, located in the upper wall of right atrium 120 as depicted in
An embodiment of an ablation catheter with associated filter is depicted in
In using the ablation catheter of
Another embodiment of the ablation catheter having aspiration port 30 communicating with lumen 31 is depicted in
Using the ablation catheter of
An embodiment of a percutaneous guiding catheter system for ablation of ectopic foci is shown in
In certain embodiments, as depicted in
In a contracted condition, for example, inflation seal 40 and mesh 25 can be inserted through the femoral artery and up through aorta 100 as depicted in
Another embodiment of the trapping mechanism is depicted in
A variety of entry sites available for insertion of the ablation catheter from peripheral arteries and veins into the cardiac chambers or the great vessels are shown in
The length of catheter will generally be between 10 and 200 centimeters, preferably approximately between 30 and 150 centimeters. The inner diameter of the catheter lumen will generally be between 0.2 and 0.8 centimeters, preferably between approximately 0.3 and 0.5 centimeters. The mesh permits flow rates as high as 3 L/min or more, more preferably 3.5 L/min or more, more preferably 4 L/min or more, more preferably 4.5 L/min or more, more preferably 5 L/min or more, more preferably 5.5 L/min or more, most preferably at 6 L/min or more at pre-filter maximum aortic systolic pressures (proximal to the mesh) of around 200 mmHg or less. The outer diameter of the expanded inflation seal will generally be at least 1 centimeters, more preferably at least 1.5 centimeters, more preferably at least 2 centimeters, more preferably at least 2.5 centimeters, more preferably at least 3 centimeters, more preferably at least 3.5 centimeters, more preferably at least 4 centimeters, more preferably at least 4.5 centimeters, more preferably at least 5 centimeters, more preferably at least 5.5 centimeters, more preferably at least 6 centimeters, more preferably at least 6.5 centimeters, more preferably at least 7 centimeters, more preferably at least 7.5 centimeters, more preferably at least 8 centimeters, more preferably at least 8.5 centimeters, more preferably at least 9 centimeters, more preferably at least 9.5 centimeters, more preferably at least 10 centimeters, more preferably at least 10.5 centimeters, more preferably at least 11 centimeters, more preferably at least 11.5 centimeters, more preferably at least 12.0 centimeters. These ranges cover suitable diameters in the aorta and the pulmonary veins for both pediatric and adult use. The foregoing ranges are set forth solely for the purpose of illustrating typical device dimensions. The actual dimensions of a device constructed according to the principles of the present invention may obviously vary outside of the listed ranges without departing from those basic principles.
Although the foregoing invention has, for the purposes of clarity and understanding, been described in some detail by way of illustration and example, it will be obvious that certain changes and modifications may be practiced which will still fall within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. A percutaneous guidance catheter system, comprising:
- an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a first lumen therebetween;
- a steerable ablation catheter, having an ablation means for ablating ectopic foci disposed at its distal end, inserted within the lumen of the elongate member; and
- an expandable filter mounted on a distal region of the elongate member, wherein during use, the filter is expanded to capture necrosed tissue particles generated during the ablation.
3. The catheter of claim 2, wherein the means for ablating ectopic foci include a thermal ablation device.
4. The catheter of claim 2, wherein the means for ablating ectopic foci include a laser ablation device.
5. The catheter of claim 2, wherein the means for ablating ectopic foci include a microwave ablation device.
6. The catheter of claim 2, wherein the filter surrounds the ablation instrument.
7. The catheter of claim 2, wherein the filter is disposed proximal the ablation instrument.
8. The catheter of claim 7, wherein the filter has a proximal edge circumferentially in contact with an outer surface of the elongate member, and a distal edge which expands radially outward.
9. The catheter of claim 2, wherein the catheter includes a second lumen communicating with an aspiration port.
10. The catheter of claim 9, wherein the proximal end of the catheter is adapted for attachment to a vacuum.
11. The catheter of claim 2, wherein the filter may be a basket.
12. A method for ablation of ectopic foci, comprising the steps of:
- providing a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therebetween;
- providing a steerable ablation catheter, having an ablation means for ablating ectopic foci disposed at its distal end, inserted within the lumen of the elongate member;
- providing an expandable filter mounted on a distal region of the elongate member;
- inserting the catheter into a vessel;
- expanding the filter to capture necrosed tissue particles generated during the ablation;
- steering the ablation means of the steerable catheter adjacent the ectopic foci; and
- ablating the ectopic foci, wherein necrosed tissue particles generated during ablation are captured by the filter.
13. The method of claim 12, further including repositioning the ablation means with respect to the expanded filter while the expanded filter remains in place.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein steering the ablation means of the steerable catheter adjacent the ectopic foci occurs before expanding the filter to capture necrosed tissue particles generated during the ablation.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein the ectopic foci are located in the left atrium.
16. The method of claim 12, wherein the ectopic foci are located in the right atrium.
17. The method of claim 12, wherein the ectopic foci are located in the pulmonary vein.
18. The method of claim 12, wherein the ablation means is a thermal ablation device.
19. The method of claim 12, wherein the ablation means is a laser ablation device.
20. The method of claim 12, wherein the ablation means is a microwave ablation device.
21. The method of claim 12, wherein the filter surrounds the ablation instrument.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the filter has a proximal edge circumferentially in contact with an outer surface of the catheter, and a distal edge which expands radially outward.
23. The method of claim 12, wherein the catheter is inserted into the femoral artery.
24. The method of claim 12, wherein the catheter is inserted into the right subclavian artery.
25. The method of claim 12, wherein the catheter is inserted into the left subclavian artery.
26. The method of claim 12, wherein the catheter is inserted into the femoral vein.
27. The method of claim 12, wherein the catheter is inserted into the subclavian vein.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 13, 2007
Publication Date: Apr 24, 2008
Applicant: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC. (Maple Grove, MN)
Inventors: Jonathan Root (San Francisco, CA), Kevin Hahnen (Sarasota, FL), Tracy Maahs (Santa Clara, CA)
Application Number: 11/955,883
International Classification: A61B 18/14 (20060101);