Cryo balloon for atrial ablation
View Patent ↗The present invention pertains generally to the field of cryo balloon therapy and the use of cryo balloon therapy catheters to generate cold-induced lesions. The present invention includes a cryo balloon therapy apparatus, comprising a catheter having a proximal and a distal end, a cooling member disposed at the distal end of the catheter, a pull cord coupled to the cooling member, and a sheath that couples the pull cord and the catheter. A method for causing cold-induced necrosis is also disclosed.
1. A cryoplasty apparatus, comprising:
a catheter having a proximal and a distal end;
a cooling member disposed at the distal end of the catheter;
a pull cord arranged to pull the cooling member proximally; and
a sheath that couples the pull cord and the catheter.
2. The cryoplasty apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the cooling member includes a balloon.
3. The cryoplasty apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the cooling member further comprises at least one electrode.
4. The cryoplasty apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the cooling member further comprises at least one pad printed conductive electrode.
5. The cryoplasty apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the cooling member further comprises at least one thermo-resistive sensor.
6. The cryoplasty apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the cooling member further comprises a support member.
7. The cryoplasty apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the cooling member further comprises a mesh cage and at least one cryoplasty chamber.
8. The cryoplasty apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the cooling member further comprises a cryoplasty ring.
9. The cryoplasty apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the cooling member further comprises a heat exchange surface connected to a cooling tube.
10. The cryoplasty apparatus in accordance with claim 9 , wherein the heat exchange surface is slidable.
11. The cryoplasty apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the cooling member further comprises a slideable and rotatable sprayer.
12. The cryoplasty apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the cooling member further comprises a cryoplasty assembly, the cryoplasty assembly comprising a mesh and an outer surface.
13. The cryoplasty apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the pull cord extends from a distal end of the cooling member.
14. The cryoplasty apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the pull cord is disposed on the cooling member.
15. The cryoplasty apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the catheter is at least in part surrounded by an insulating sheath which in part defines a vacuum lumen.
16. A cryoplasty apparatus, comprising:
a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, the catheter defining an inflation lumen, a coolant intake lumen, and exhaust lumen therethrough, each lumen having a proximal end and a distal end proximate the proximal and distal ends of the catheter respectively;
a cooling member disposed at the distal end of the catheter and in fluid communication with the inflation lumen;
a pull cord arranged to pull the cooling member proximally; and
a sheath that couples the pull cord and the catheter and includes a first lumen for the pull cord and a second lumen for the catheter.
17. The cryoplasty apparatus in accordance with claim 16 , further comprising a source of coolant being connected to the proximal end of the catheter in fluid communication with the intake lumen.
18. The cryoplasty apparatus in accordance with claim 17 , wherein the coolant source is liquid N 2 .
19. The cryoplasty apparatus in accordance with claim 16 , wherein the catheter further defines a guidewire lumen.
20. The cryoplasty apparatus in accordance with claim 16 , wherein the cooling member further comprises at least one electrode.