Apparatus for mapping and coagulating soft tissue in or around body orifices
View Patent ↗A probe that may be used to create circumferential lesions in body tissue and, in some implementations, may also be used to perform mapping functions. The probe includes a collapsible/expandable structure that supports electrodes or other operative elements against the body tissue.
1. A mapping and coagulation apparatus, comprising:
a tissue coagulation probe including
a tissue coagulation probe support body defining at least one interior lumen, and
an inflatable tissue coagulation structure supported on the tissue coagulation probe support body; and
a mapping probe passable through the tissue coagulation probe support body lumen including
a mapping probe support body, and
an expandable/collapsible mapping basket supported on the mapping probe support body.
2. A mapping and coagulation apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the tissue coagulation probe support body comprises a catheter.
3. A mapping and coagulation apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the inflatable tissue coagulation structure defines an interior and the tissue coagulation probe support body includes a fluid lumen operably connected to the interior of the inflatable tissue coagulation structure.
4. A mapping and coagulation apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the inflatable tissue coagulation structure comprises a non-porous, relatively thermally conductive structure.
5. A mapping and coagulation apparatus as claimed in claim 4 , further comprising:
a fluid heating element located within the interior of the inflatable tissue coagulation structure.
6. A mapping and coagulation apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the inflatable tissue coagulation structure comprises a porous structure.
7. A mapping and coagulation apparatus as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the porous structure includes a porous region and a non-porous region.
8. A mapping and coagulation apparatus as claimed in claim 6 , further comprising:
an electrode located within the interior of the inflatable tissue coagulation structure.
9. A mapping and coagulation apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the expandable/collapsible mapping basket comprises at least two splines respectively supporting at least two electrodes.
10. A mapping and coagulation apparatus, comprising:
a tissue coagulation probe including
a tissue coagulation probe support body defining at least one interior lumen and a distal end, and
an expandable/collapsible tissue coagulation structure supported on the tissue coagulation probe support body at least 3 cm from the distal end of the tissue coagulation probe support body; and
a mapping probe passable through the tissue coagulation probe support body lumen including
a mapping probe support body, and
a mapping structure supported on the mapping probe support body.
11. A mapping and coagulation apparatus as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the tissue coagulation probe support body comprises a catheter.
12. A mapping and coagulation apparatus as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the expandable/collapsible tissue coagulation structure comprises an inflatable structure.
13. A mapping and coagulation apparatus as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the inflatable structure defines an interior and the tissue coagulation probe support body includes a fluid lumen operably connected to the interior of the inflatable structure.
14. A mapping and coagulation apparatus as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the inflatable structure comprises a non-porous, relatively thermally conductive structure.
15. A mapping and coagulation apparatus as claimed in claim 14 , further comprising:
a fluid heating element located within the interior of the inflatable structure.
16. A mapping and coagulation apparatus as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the inflatable structure comprises a porous structure.
17. A mapping and coagulation apparatus, comprising:
a tissue coagulation probe including
a tissue coagulation probe support body defining at least one interior lumen and a distal end, and
an expandable/collapsible tissue coagulation structure supported on the tissue coagulation probe support body proximal to the distal end;
a mapping probe passable through the tissue coagulation probe support body lumen including
a mapping probe support body, and
a mapping structure supported on the mapping probe support body;
a thermocouple associated with the expandable/collapsible tissue coagulation structure; and
a reference thermocouple supported on the tissue coagulation probe support body distal of the expandable/collapsible tissue coagulation structure.
18. A mapping and coagulation apparatus as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the tissue coagulation probe support body comprises a catheter.
19. A mapping and coagulation apparatus as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the expandable/collapsible tissue coagulation structure comprises an inflatable structure.
20. A mapping and coagulation apparatus as claimed in claim 19 , wherein the inflatable structure defines an interior and the tissue coagulation probe support body includes a fluid lumen operably connected to the interior of the inflatable structure.
21. A mapping and coagulation apparatus as claimed in claim 19 , wherein the inflatable structure comprises a non-porous, relatively thermally conductive structure.
22. A mapping and coagulation apparatus as claimed in claim 21 , further comprising:
a fluid heating element located within the interior of the inflatable structure.
23. A mapping and coagulation apparatus as claimed in claim 19 , wherein the inflatable structure comprises a porous structure.