Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080221508 | FLUID CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A MEDICAL DEVICE - The present invention provides a medical device having an elongate body with both a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the elongate body defines an intake lumen and an exhaust lumen. The medical device also has a first pliable element defining a cooling chamber disposed at a point along the elongate body, with the cooling chamber being in fluid communication with the intake lumen and the exhaust lumen. A second pliable element is provided which at least partially encloses the first pliable element, thereby defining a junction between the first and second pliable element. Moreover, a check valve is included which is in fluid communication with the junction between the first pliable element and second pliable element, the valve further being in fluid communication with the exhaust lumen. In addition, the medical device may include sensors or other monitoring means in fluid communication with the junction and the cooling chamber. | 09-11-2008 |
20090030288 | CONTACT ASSESSMENT OF BALLOON CATHETERS - A medical apparatus and system for determining contact assessment includes a catheter having an elongate body having a proximal end, a distal end opposite the proximal end, and defining an injection lumen and an exhaust lumen, an expandable membrane defining a cooling chamber disposed at a point along the elongate body, the cooling chamber in fluid communication with the injection lumen and the exhaust lumen, and a contact assessment element which may be a temperature sensor located proximate the coolant return lumen for measuring an internal temperature of the chamber. The system may include the catheter, a console having a fluid supply, an exhaust path and at least one control mechanism operationally coupled to the temperature sensor for processing a temperature signal received from the temperature sensor. The apparatus and system can also have multiple electrodes to measure and process various impedances to determine contact assessment. | 01-29-2009 |
20100211056 | COMPLIANT BALLOON CATHETER - A catheter includes a first expandable membrane having a first pressurization limit and a second expandable membrane, having a second pressurization limit, wherein the second pressurization limit is greater than the first pressurization limit, the first expandable membrane defines a cooling chamber, the second expandable membrane being disposed around the first expandable membrane to define an junction therebetween. The catheter includes a coolant injection lumen in fluid communication with the at least one fluid inlet port and the cooling chamber, and a primary coolant return lumen in fluid communication with the at least one fluid outlet port and the cooling chamber. The coolant injection tube, the cooling chamber, and the primary coolant return lumen define a first fluid pathway. The catheter further includes a secondary coolant return lumen in fluid communication with the at least one fluid outlet port and the junction. The junction and the secondary coolant return lumen define a second fluid pathway. The catheter provides a fail-safe feature by selecting the appropriate first and second pressurization limits for the first and second expandable membranes. | 08-19-2010 |
20110092967 | DEFLATION MECHANISM FOR A MEDICAL DEVICE - A method and system for delivering coolant to a medical device having an expandable element, a guidewire lumen movable within the medical device, and an actuator element coupled to the guidewire lumen for manipulation of longitudinal movement thereof is provided, including transferring a fluid from a console to the medical device to inflate the expandable element; manipulating the actuator element, and initiating a predetermined fluid control sequence of the console in response to the manipulation of the actuator element. | 04-21-2011 |
20120245577 | COOLING SYSTEMS FOR ELECTRODE ARRAYS - A medical device is disclosed, including a catheter body; an electrode array coupled to the catheter body, the electrode array being transitionable from a substantially linear configuration to a substantially helical configuration; and a fluid conduit coupled to the catheter body spaced apart from the electrode array, wherein the fluid conduit is transitionable from a substantially linear configuration to a substantially helical configuration. The device may include a fluid source in communication with the fluid conduit and a radiofrequency signal generator coupled to the electrode array. | 09-27-2012 |
20120271291 | FLUID CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A MEDICAL DEVICE - The present invention provides a medical device having an elongate body with both a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the elongate body defines an intake lumen and an exhaust lumen. The medical device also has a first pliable element defining a cooling chamber disposed at a point along the elongate body, with the cooling chamber being in fluid communication with the intake lumen and the exhaust lumen. A second pliable element is provided which at least partially encloses the first pliable element, thereby defining a junction between the first and second pliable element. A check valve is included which is in fluid communication with the junction between the first pliable element and second pliable element, the valve further being in fluid communication with the exhaust lumen. Additionally, the medical device may include sensors or other monitoring means in fluid communication with the junction and the cooling chamber. | 10-25-2012 |
20130172866 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INFLATING AND DEFLATING BALLOON CATHETERS - A system and method for controlling the inflation, ablation, and deflation of a balloon catheter. The system includes a balloon catheter, a console, a pressurized gas or liquid inflation source, and an umbilical system to deliver pressurized coolant to the balloon catheter. The system may include controller that monitors the amount of pressure and volume within the balloon catheter. During inflation, the pressure and/or volume of fluid within the balloon is maintained at a target amount in order to provide sufficient mechanized pressure against the desired target region. The system limits the inflation pressure such that a safe quantity of gas would be released should a leak occur. If the amount falls below a certain threshold level, gas or fluid egress is presumed and the inflation process is halted. | 07-04-2013 |
20130218151 | COMPLIANT BALLOON CATHETER - A catheter includes a first expandable membrane having a first pressurization limit and a second expandable membrane, having a second pressurization limit, wherein the second pressurization limit is greater than the first pressurization limit, the first expandable membrane defines a cooling chamber, the second expandable membrane being disposed around the first expandable membrane to define an junction therebetween. The catheter includes a coolant injection lumen in fluid communication with the at least one fluid inlet port and the cooling chamber, and a primary coolant return lumen in fluid communication with the at least one fluid outlet port and the cooling chamber. The coolant injection tube, the cooling chamber, and the primary coolant return lumen define a first fluid pathway. The catheter further includes a secondary coolant return lumen in fluid communication with the at least one fluid outlet port and the junction. The junction and the secondary coolant return lumen define a second fluid pathway. The catheter provides a fail-safe feature by selecting the appropriate first and second pressurization limits for the first and second expandable membranes. | 08-22-2013 |
20140296736 | CONTACT ASSESSMENT OF BALLOON CATHETERS - A medical apparatus and system for determining contact assessment includes a catheter having an elongate body having a proximal end, a distal end opposite the proximal end, and defining an injection lumen and an exhaust lumen, an expandable membrane defining a cooling chamber disposed at a point along the elongate body, the cooling chamber in fluid communication with the injection lumen and the exhaust lumen, and a contact assessment element which may be a temperature sensor located proximate the coolant return lumen for measuring an internal temperature of the chamber. The system may include the catheter, a console having a fluid supply, an exhaust path and at least one control mechanism operationally coupled to the temperature sensor for processing a temperature signal received from the temperature sensor. The apparatus and system can also have multiple electrodes to measure and process various impedances to determine contact assessment. | 10-02-2014 |
20150018808 | MAPPING WIRE WITH HEATING ELEMENT TO ALLOW AXIAL MOVEMENT DURING CRYOBALLOON ABLATION - A method and system for cryotreatment of target tissue using a cryotreatment catheter through which a mapping catheter may be freely movable, even during activation of the cryotreatment element. The cryotreatment system may include a cryotreatment catheter, a mapping catheter slidably disposed within a lumen of the cryotreatment catheter, and one or more heating elements. The one or more heating elements may be disposed on the mapping catheter or within the lumen of the cryotreatment catheter. Activation of the one or more heating elements prevents the freezing of, or thaws, fluid within the lumen of the cryotreatment device when one or more cryotreatment elements are activated. The lack of frozen fluid within the lumen allows the mapping catheter to freely move within the cryotreatment catheter during a cryotreatment procedure, so that the mapping catheter may be positioned proximate the treatment site after initiation of cryotreatment. | 01-15-2015 |
20150018809 | HEATED ELECTRODES FOR CONTINUED VISUALIZATION OF PULMONARY VEIN POTENTIALS - A method and system for cryotreatment and mapping of target tissue. The cryotreatment system may include a cryotreatment catheter, a mapping catheter including one or more mapping electrodes, and one or more temperature sensors located on the mapping catheter and/or the cryotreatment catheter. The cryotreatment catheter distal tip may be short enough to allow at least one mapping electrode to be positioned proximate the cryoballoon, for example, within 6 mm or less from the cryoballoon. Energy, such as radiofrequency energy, may be delivered to one or more mapping electrodes when one or more temperature sensors indicate a temperature of approximately 0° C. or below at one or more mapping electrode in order to thaw or prevent the formation of ice on the mapping electrodes when positioned proximate a cryoballoon during a cryotreatment procedure in order to recapture cardiac signals. | 01-15-2015 |
20150045781 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INFLATING AND DEFLATING BALLOON CATHETERS - A system and method for controlling the inflation, ablation, and deflation of a balloon catheter. The system includes a balloon catheter, a console, a pressurized gas or liquid inflation source, and an umbilical system to deliver pressurized coolant to the balloon catheter. The system may include controller that monitors the amount of pressure and volume within the balloon catheter. During inflation, the pressure and/or volume of fluid within the balloon is maintained at a target amount in order to provide sufficient mechanized pressure against the desired target region. The system limits the inflation pressure such that a safe quantity of gas would be released should a leak occur. If the amount falls below a certain threshold level, gas or fluid egress is presumed and the inflation process is halted. | 02-12-2015 |