Linear ablation catheter

Claim 2

A linear ablation catheter comprising: a hollow outer shaft having an outer surface and proximal and distal ends; at least one longitudinally-extending opening in the outer shaft towards the distal end of the outer shaft; a hollow inner shaft having a distal portion housed within the outer shaft; said outer and inner shafts being longitudinally slidable relative to one another; an electrode mounted to a chosen one of said outer shaft and inner shaft and positioned radially inwardly of the outer surfaces by a chosen distance; and said distal portion of said inner shaft comprising an opening alignable with and movable relative to the at least one longitudinally-extending opening through which an energy-conducting liquid can flow so a longitudinally-extending lesion can be created opposite the at least one longitudinally-extending opening.

Claim 3

The catheter according to claim 1 wherein the inner shaft is longitudinally slidable within the outer shaft.

Claim 4

The catheter according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the outer shaft and the inner shaft is steerable.

Claim 5

The catheter according to claim 1 wherein said at least one longitudinally-extending opening comprises a set of spaced-apart apertures.

Claim 6

The catheter according to claim 1 wherein said at least one longitudinally-extending opening comprises a continuous slot formed in the outer shaft.

Claim 7

The catheter according to claim 1 wherein said at least one longitudinally-extending opening comprises a plurality of longitudinally-extending openings positioned at different circumferential positions on said outer shaft.

Claim 8

The catheter according claim 1 further comprising a fluid seal positioned between the outer and inner shafts along the distal portion of the outer shaft.

Claim 9

The catheter according claim 1 wherein the chosen distance is between about 0.013 mm to 2.0 mm.

Claim 10

The catheter according to claim 8 wherein the chosen distance is between about 0.025 mm to 0.25 mm.

Claim 11

The catheter according claim 1 further comprising an electrode mounted to the outer shaft adjacent to the at least one longitudinally-extending opening.

Claim 12

The catheter according claim 1 further comprising an electrode mounted to the inner shaft and positionable adjacent to the at least one longitudinally-extending opening.

Claim 13

The catheter according claim 11 wherein said electrode defines said opening in said inner shaft.

Claim 14

A linear ablation catheter assembly comprising: a handle coupleable to a source of energy-conducting liquid; a hollow outer shaft having an outer surface, a proximal end, extending from the handle, and a distal end; at least one longitudinally-extending opening in the outer shaft towards the distal end of the outer shaft; a hollow inner shaft having a distal portion slidably housed within the outer shaft; said handle comprising an inner shaft longitudinal manipulator operably coupled to the inner shaft so to permit the distal portion of the inner shaft to be moved along the at least one longitudinally-extending opening; said distal portion of said inner shaft comprising an opening alignable with and movable along the at least one longitudinally-extending opening; an electrode mounted to a chosen one of the outer shaft and inner shaft and positioned radially inwardly of from the outer surface; and an energy conductor extending between the electrode and the handle; whereby energy-conducting liquid can flow through said inner shaft, through said opening in said inner shaft, past the electrode and through said at least one longitudinally-extending opening to create a longitudinally-extending lesion opposite the at least one longitudinally-extending opening.

Claim 15

A linear ablation catheter assembly comprising: a handle coupleable to a source of energy-conducting liquid; a hollow outer shaft having an outer surface, a proximal end, extending from the handle, and a distal end; at least one longitudinally-extending opening in the outer shaft towards the distal end of the outer shaft; a hollow inner shaft having a distal portion slidably housed within the outer shaft; said handle comprising an inner shaft longitudinal manipulator operably coupled to the inner shaft so to permit the distal portion of the inner shaft to be moved along the at least one longitudinally-extending opening; said distal portion of said inner shaft comprising an opening alignable with and movable along the at least one longitudinally-extending opening; an electrode mounted to a chosen one of the outer shaft and inner shaft and positioned radially inwardly of from the outer surface; and an energy conductor extending between the electrode and the handle; whereby energy-conducting liquid can flow through said inner shaft, through said opening in said inner shaft, past the electrode and through said at least one longitudinally-extending opening to create a longitudinally-extending lesion opposite the at least one longitudinally-extending opening.

Claim 16

A linear ablation catheter assembly according to claim 13 wherein at least one of the outer shaft and the inner shaft is steerable.

Claim 17

A linear ablation catheter assembly according to claim 13 wherein said at least one longitudinally-extending opening comprises a plurality of longitudinally-extending openings positioned at different circumferential positions on said outer shaft.

Claim 18

A linear ablation catheter assembly according to claim 13 wherein said at least one longitudinally-extending opening comprises a continuous, longitudinally-extending slot.

Claim 19

A linear ablation catheter assembly according to claim 13 wherein the electrode is spaced apart from the outer surface by about 0.13 mm to 2.0 mm.

Claim 20

A linear ablation catheter assembly according to claim 13 further comprising a fluid seal positioned between the outer and inner shafts.

Claim 21

A linear ablation catheter comprising: a hollow outer shaft having an outer surface and proximal and distal ends; a longitudinally-extending opening in the outer shaft towards the distal end of the outer shaft; a hollow inner shaft having a distal portion housed within the outer shaft; said outer and inner shafts being longitudinally slidable relative to one another; said distal portion of said inner shaft comprising an opening alignable with and movable relative to the longitudinally-extending opening; an electrode mounted to a chosen one of said outer shaft and inner shaft and positioned radially inwardly of the outer surface; and at least one fluid seal positioned between the outer and inner shafts and fixed to the inner shaft on either side of the opening in the inner shaft; whereby an energy conducting liquid can flow through said openings so a longitudinally-extending lesion can be created opposite the longitudinally-extending opening.

Claim 22

A linear ablation catheter comprising: a hollow outer shaft having an outer surface and proximal and distal ends; a longitudinally-extending opening in the outer shaft towards the distal end of the outer shaft; a hollow inner shaft having a distal portion housed within the outer shaft; said outer and inner shafts being longitudinally slidable relative to one another; said distal portion of said inner shaft comprising an opening alignable with and movable relative to the longitudinally-extending opening; an electrode mounted to a chosen one of said outer shaft and inner shaft and positioned radially inwardly of the outer surface; and at least one fluid seal positioned between the outer and inner shafts and fixed to the inner shaft on either side of the opening in the inner shaft; whereby an energy conducting liquid can flow through said openings so a longitudinally-extending lesion can be created opposite the longitudinally-extending opening.

Claim 23

A linear ablation catheter comprising: a hollow outer shaft having an outer surface and proximal and distal ends; a longitudinally-extending opening in the outer shaft towards the distal end of the outer shaft; a hollow inner shaft having a distal portion housed within the outer shaft; said outer and inner shafts being longitudinally slidable relative to one another; said distal portion of said inner shaft comprising an opening alignable with and movable relative to the longitudinally-extending opening; an electrode mounted to a chosen one of said outer shaft and inner shaft and positioned radially inwardly of the outer surfacer; and fluid seals positioned between the outer and inner shafts at spaced-apart positions along at least a portion of the longitudinally-extending opening to direct the flow of the energy-conducting liquid through the portion of the longitudinally-extending opening; whereby an energy conducting liquid can flow so a longitudinally-extending lesion can be created opposite the longitudinally-extending opening.

Claim 24

A linear ablation catheter comprising: a hollow outer shaft having an outer surface and proximal and distal ends; a longitudinally-extending opening in the outer shaft towards the distal end of the outer shaft; a hollow inner shaft having a distal portion housed within the outer shaft; said outer and inner shafts being longitudinally slidable relative to one another; said distal portion of said inner shaft comprising an opening alignable with and movable relative to the longitudinally-extending opening; an electrode mounted to a chosen one of said outer shaft and inner shaft and positioned radially inwardly of the outer surfacer; and fluid seals positioned between the outer and inner shafts at spaced-apart positions along at least a portion of the longitudinally-extending opening to direct the flow of the energy-conducting liquid through the portion of the longitudinally-extending opening; whereby an energy conducting liquid can flow so a longitudinally-extending lesion can be created opposite the longitudinally-extending opening.

Claim 25

A linear ablation catheter assembly comprising: a handle coupleable to a source of energy-conducting liquid; a hollow outer shaft having armouter surface, a proximal end, extending from the handle, and a distal end; a longitudinally-extending opening in the outer shaft towards the distal end of the outer shaft; a hollow inner shaft having a distal portion slidably housed within the outer shaft, said distal portion of said inner shaft comprising an opening alignable with and movable along the longitudinally-extending opening; said handle comprising: an inner shaft longitudinal manipulator operably coupled to the inner shaft so to permit the distal portion of the inner shaft to be moved along the longitudinally-extending opening; and a distal end deflection manipulator by which the distal end of the outer shaft can be radially deflected; an electrode mounted to a chosen one of the outer shaft and inner shaft and positioned radially inwardly of the outer surface; an energy conductor extending between the electrode and the handle; and whereby energy-conducting liquid can flow through said inner shaft, through said opening in said inner shaft, past the electrode and through said longitudinally-extending opening to create a longitudinally-extending lesion opposite the longitudinally-extending opening.

Claim 26

A linear ablation catheter assembly comprising: a handle coupleable to a source of energy-conducting liquid; a hollow outer shaft having armouter surface, a proximal end, extending from the handle, and a distal end; a longitudinally-extending opening in the outer shaft towards the distal end of the outer shaft; a hollow inner shaft having a distal portion slidably housed within the outer shaft, said distal portion of said inner shaft comprising an opening alignable with and movable along the longitudinally-extending opening; said handle comprising: an inner shaft longitudinal manipulator operably coupled to the inner shaft so to permit the distal portion of the inner shaft to be moved along the longitudinally-extending opening; and a distal end deflection manipulator by which the distal end of the outer shaft can be radially deflected; an electrode mounted to a chosen one of the outer shaft and inner shaft and positioned radially inwardly of the outer surface; an energy conductor extending between the electrode and the handle; and whereby energy-conducting liquid can flow through said inner shaft, through said opening in said inner shaft, past the electrode and through said longitudinally-extending opening to create a longitudinally-extending lesion opposite the longitudinally-extending opening.

Claim 27

A linear ablation catheter assembly comprising: a handle coupleable to a source of energy-conducting liquid; a hollow outer shaft having an outer surface, a proximal end, extending from the handle, and a distal end; a longitudinally-extending opening in the outer shaft towards the distal end of the outer shaft; a hollow inner shaft having a distal portion slidably housed within the outer shaft, said distal portion of said inner shaft comprising an opening alienable with and movable along the longitudinally-extending opening; said handle comprising an inner shaft longitudinal manipulator operably coupled to the inner shaft so to permit the distal portion of the inner shaft to be moved along the longitudinally-extending opening; an electrode mounted to a chosen one of the outer shaft and inner shaft and positioned radially inwardly of the outer surface; an energy conductor extending between the electrode and the handle; at least one fluid seal positioned between the outer and inner shafts and fixed to the inner shaft on either side of the opening in the inner shaft; and whereby energy-conducting liquid can flow through said inner shaft, through said opening in said inner shaft, past the electrode and through said longitudinally-extending opening to create a longitudinally-extending lesion opposite the longitudinally-extending opening.

Claim 28

A linear ablation catheter assembly comprising: a handle coupleable to a source of energy-conducting liquid; a hollow outer shaft having an outer surface, a proximal end, extending from the handle, and a distal end; a longitudinally-extending opening in the outer shaft towards the distal end of the outer shaft; a hollow inner shaft having a distal portion slidably housed within the outer shaft, said distal portion of said inner shaft comprising an opening alienable with and movable along the longitudinally-extending opening; said handle comprising an inner shaft longitudinal manipulator operably coupled to the inner shaft so to permit the distal portion of the inner shaft to be moved along the longitudinally-extending opening; an electrode mounted to a chosen one of the outer shaft and inner shaft and positioned radially inwardly of the outer surface; an energy conductor extending between the electrode and the handle; at least one fluid seal positioned between the outer and inner shafts and fixed to the inner shaft on either side of the opening in the inner shaft; and whereby energy-conducting liquid can flow through said inner shaft, through said opening in said inner shaft, past the electrode and through said longitudinally-extending opening to create a longitudinally-extending lesion opposite the longitudinally-extending opening.

Claim 29

A linear ablation catheter assembly comprising: a handle coupleable to a source of energy-conducting liquid; a hollow outer shaft having an outer surface, a proximal end, extending from the handle, and a distal end; a longitudinally-extending opening in the outer shaft towards the distal end of the outer shaft; a hollow inner shaft having a distal portion slidably housed within the outer shaft, said distal portion of said inner shaft comprising an opening alignable with and movable along the longitudinally-extending opening; said handle comprising an inner shaft longitudinal manipulator operably coupled to the inner shaft so to permit the distal portion of the inner shaft to be moved along the longitudinally-extending opening; an electrode mounted to a chosen one of the outer shaft and inner shaft and positioned radially inwardly of the outer surface; an energy conductor extending between the electrode and the handle; fluid seals positioned between the outer and inner shafts at spaced-apart positions along at least a portion of the longitudinally-extending opening to direct the flow of the energy-conduction liquid through the portion of the longitudinally-extending opening; and whereby energy-conducting liquid can flow through said inner shaft, through said opening in said inner shaft, past the electrode and through said longitudinally-extending opening to create a longitudinally-extending lesion opposite the longitudinally-extending opening.

Claim 30

A linear ablation catheter assembly comprising: a handle coupleable to a source of energy-conducting liquid; a hollow outer shaft having an outer surface, a proximal end, extending from the handle, and a distal end; a longitudinally-extending opening in the outer shaft towards the distal end of the outer shaft; a hollow inner shaft having a distal portion slidably housed within the outer shaft, said distal portion of said inner shaft comprising an opening alignable with and movable along the longitudinally-extending opening; said handle comprising an inner shaft longitudinal manipulator operably coupled to the inner shaft so to permit the distal portion of the inner shaft to be moved along the longitudinally-extending opening; an electrode mounted to a chosen one of the outer shaft and inner shaft and positioned radially inwardly of the outer surface; an energy conductor extending between the electrode and the handle; fluid seals positioned between the outer and inner shafts at spaced-apart positions along at least a portion of the longitudinally-extending opening to direct the flow of the energy-conduction liquid through the portion of the longitudinally-extending opening; and whereby energy-conducting liquid can flow through said inner shaft, through said opening in said inner shaft, past the electrode and through said longitudinally-extending opening to create a longitudinally-extending lesion opposite the longitudinally-extending opening.