Loop structures for supporting diagnostic and therapeutic elements in contact with body tissue and expandable push devices for use with same
View Patent ↗An apparatus that facilitates the creation of circumferential lesions in body tissue. The apparatus includes a first probe having a loop structure that supports electrodes or other operative elements against the body tissue and a second probe with an expandable push structure that may be used to urge the loop structure against body tissue.
1. A method of forming a lesion in body tissue, comprising the steps of:
positioning a first probe including a first probe body defining a proximal portion and a distal portion, a loop structure associated with the distal portion, and at least one operative element associated with the loop structure such that the loop structure is at least adjacent the tissue;
positioning a second probe including a second pmbe body defining a proximal portion and a distal portion and an expandable push structure associated with the distal portion such that the expandable push structure is adjacent the loop structure; and
urging the loop structure in the direction of the tissue with the expandable push structure.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
inserting a predetermined portion of the second probe through the loop structure.
3. A method as claimed in claim 2 , further comprising the step of:
inserting the first and second probes into a sheath.
4. A method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the tissue is associated with a body orifice, the method further comprising the step of:
inserting the predetermined portion of the second probe into body orifice.
5. A method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
inserting a predetermined portion of the second probe through the loop structure prior to positioning the first probe adjacent the body tissue.
6. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the step of positioning a first probe adjacent tissue comprises positioning the first probe adjacent heart tissue.
7. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the step of positioning a first probe adjacent tissue comprises positioning the first probe adjacent pulmonary vein tissue.
8. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the step of positioning a first probe adjacent tissue comprises passing the first probe through a lumen in the second probe.