Occlusion apparatus
Methods, apparatus, and systems for occluding a tissue opening are provided. One embodiment includes a catheter having an elongate body and a first lumen to direct hypertonic saline through an opening in the lumen to tissue of a fossa ovalis. The embodiment includes a radiofrequency (RF) electrode coupled to the elongate body proximal a distal end of the elongate body. The RF electrode can emit RF energy to the tissues of the passage and the hypertonic saline can facilitate a distribution of the RF energy along the tissue to fuse the tissue of the passage.
1. An occlusion apparatus, comprising:
a catheter having an elongate body with a wall, distal end and a proximal end, the elongate body defining:
a first lumen including surfaces that define openings from the first lumen through the elongate body wall and a distal end surface, the first lumen being configured to direct saline through the openings,
a second lumen including surfaces that define second openings from the second lumen through the distal end surface to apply vacuum to the second openings,
a third lumen enclosing an electrical conductor, and
a fourth lumen located coaxially in the elongate body and enclosing a guidewire; and
a radiofrequency (RF) electrode coupled to the electrical conductor, located proximal the distal end of the elongate body and housed within the elongate body that defines the fourth lumen, wherein the openings are arranged and configured through the elongate body wall and distal end surface to deliver saline in a manner that displaces blood around tissue drawn to the distal end surface by vacuum applied through the second openings, the RF electrode located to distribute RF energy across the tissue through an enhanced conductive path established by the saline, where the catheter is configured to simultaneously conduct RF energy, direct saline solution through the openings through the elongate body wall, and apply vacuum to the second openings through the distal end surface.
2. The occlusion apparatus of claim 1 , where the fourth lumen includes a distal opening that accommodates an extension and retraction of the guidewire.
3. The occlusion apparatus of claim 2 , where the distal opening has a diameter in a range of 0.020 inches to 0.030 inches.