Controlled guided ablation treatment
An apparatus for forming a lesion in tissue along a desired ablation path includes a guide member having a tissue-opposing surface for placement against a heart surface. A guide carriage is sized to be received within the guide member and moveable along a longitudinal axis of the guide member. A tubular member extends from a proximal end of the carriage and out a proximal end of the guide member. An ablation element is carried in the carriage for movement. The ablation member is connected to a source of ablation energy through the tubular member. A sensor is provided for sensing a safety condition. The sensor is connected to a monitor external the guide member.
1 . An apparatus for forming a lesion in tissue along a desired ablation path, said apparatus comprising:
a guide member having a tissue-opposing surface for placement against a heart surface, said guide member having interior surfaces and a longitudinal axis;
a guide carriage sized to be received within said guide member and moveable therein along said longitudinal axis,
a tubular member extending from a proximal end of said carriage and out a proximal end of said guide member;
an ablation element connected to said carriage for movement therewith and connected to a source of ablation energy through said tubular member;
a sensor for sensing a safety condition, said sensor connected to a monitor external said guide member.
2 . An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said sensor is a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature near said ablation element.
3 . An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said carriage is moved within said guide member by applying a force to said tubular member.
4 . An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said sensor is a force sensor for sensing a force applied to said tubular member.
5 . An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a source of cooling fluid flow connected to said tubular member.
6 . An apparatus according to claim 5 including a flow sensor for sensing a flow parameter of said fluid flow.
7 . An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said flow parameter is rate of flow.
8 . An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said flow parameter is pressure of flow.
9 . An apparatus according to claim 2 including a control for interrupting energy to said ablation member when said sensed temperature is not within a pre-determined range.
10 . An apparatus according to claim 4 including a control for interrupting energy to said ablation member when said sensed force is not within a pre-determined range.
11 . An apparatus according to claim 7 including a control for interrupting energy to said ablation member when said flow parameter is not within a pre-determined range.
12 . An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said sensor senses a parameter of reflected energy indicating an excess heating of said tissue.
13 . An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said sensor senses a movement of said carriage within said guide member.
14 . A method for forming a lesion in tissue by applying an ablation energy to said tissue, said method comprising:
selecting a guide member having a tissue-opposing surface for placement against a heart surface, said guide member having interior surfaces and a longitudinal axis; a guide carriage received within said guide member and moveable therein along said longitudinal axis; a tubular member extending from a proximal end of said carriage and out a proximal end of said guide member; an ablation element carried in said carriage for movement therewith and connected to a source of ablation energy through said tubular member; a sensor for sensing a safety condition, said sensor connected to a monitor external said guide member;
placing guide member in a desired location with said tissue-opposing surface opposing a heart tissue;
moving carriage through guide member by applying a force to said tubular member;
ablating tissue with said ablation member;
sensing a safety condition with said sensor.
15 . A method according to claim 14 wherein said sensor is a temperature sensing for sensing a temperature near said ablation element.
16 . A method according to claim 14 wherein said carriage is moved within said guide member by applying a force to said tubular member.
17 . A method according to claim 16 wherein said sensor is a force sensor for sensing a force applied to said tubular member.
18 . A method according to claim 15 further comprising a source of cooling fluid flow connected to said tubular member.
19 . A method according to claim 18 including a flow sensor for sensing a flow parameter of said fluid flow.
20 . A method according to claim 19 wherein said flow parameter is rate of flow.
21 . A method according to claim 19 wherein said flow parameter is pressure of flow.
22 . A method according to claim 15 including interrupting energy to said ablation member when said sensed temperature is not within a pre-determined range.
23 . A method according to claim 17 including interrupting energy to said ablation member when said sensed force is not within a pre-determined range.
24 . A method according to claim 19 including interrupting energy to said ablation member when said flow parameter is not within a pre-determined range.