Systems and methods for creating long, thin lesions in body tissue

Abstract

A device for creating the lesions in body tissue includes a support element having an electromagnetic energy emitting region. When caused to emit electromagnetic energy, the region creates a single continuous lesion that is long and thin, having a length that is substantially greater than its width.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A device for creating lesions in body tissue comprising 
 a support element, and    a region on the support element for emitting electromagnetic energy to create a single continuous lesion having a length that is substantially greater than its width.    
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 1   wherein the lesion created has a length to width ratio that is at least about 3:1.    
     
     
         3 . A device according to  claim 2   wherein the lesion created has a width that is no greater than about 5 mm.    
     
     
         4 . A device according to  claim 1   wherein the lesion created has a length to width ratio that is in the range of about 10:1 to 20:1.    
     
     
         5 . A device according to  claim 4   wherein the lesion created has a width that is no greater than about 5 mm.    
     
     
         6 . A device for creating lesions in body tissue comprising 
 a support element having an axis, and    a region on the support element having a length measured along the axis that is substantially greater than its width measured across the axis for emitting electromagnetic energy to create a single elongated lesion.    
     
     
         7 . A device according to  claim 6   wherein the lesion created has a length to width ratio that is at least about 3:1.    
     
     
         8 . A device according to  claim 7   wherein the lesion created has a width that is no greater than about 5 mm.    
     
     
         9 . A device according to  claim 6   wherein the lesion created has a length to width ratio that is in the range of about 10:1 to 20:1.    
     
     
         10 . A device according to  claim 9   wherein the lesion created has a width that is no greater than about 5 mm.    
     
     
         11 . A device for creating lesions in body tissue comprising 
 a body having an axis, and    a region on the body for emitting electromagnetic energy comprising a region of energy emitting material having a dimension that is greater along the axis than about the axis to create a continuous lesion having a length that is substantially greater than its width.    
     
     
         12 . A device according to  claim 11   wherein the strip comprises a coating applied upon the body.    
     
     
         13 . A device according to  claim 11   wherein the strip and body comprise an integrated coextruded structure.    
     
     
         14 . A device according to  claim 11   wherein a portion of the strip is embedded within the body.    
     
     
         15 . A device according to  claim 11   wherein the strip has a generally rectilinear cross section to present a generally flat contact zone with tissue.    
     
     
         16 . A device according to  claim 11   wherein the body has a generally circular cross section.    
     
     
         17 . A device according to  claim 11   wherein the body includes a generally flattened region which carries the strip.    
     
     
         18 . A device according to  claim 11   wherein the energy emitting region comprises at least two electromagnetic energy emitting regions each having a dimension that is greater along the axis than about the axis to create a continuous lesion having a length that is substantially greater than its width, the regions being circumferentially spaced about the axis of the body.    
     
     
         19 . A device according to  claim 11   wherein the lesion created has a length to width ratio that is at least about 3:1.    
     
     
         20 . A device according to  claim 19   wherein the lesion created has a width that is no greater than about 5 mm.    
     
     
         21 . A device according to  claim 11   wherein the lesion created has a length to width ratio that is in the range of about 10:1 to 20:1.    
     
     
         22 . A device according to  claim 21   wherein the lesion created has a width that is no greater than about 5 mm.    
     
     
         23 . A method for creating lesions in body tissue comprising the steps of 
 introducing a support element into the body, the support element including a electromagnetic energy emitting region having a length that is substantially greater than its width,    exposing the region to tissue, and    applying electromagnetic energy to the region to create in the tissue a single continuous lesion having a length that is substantially greater than its width.    
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 23   wherein the lesion created has a length to width ratio that is at least about 3:1.    
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 24   wherein the lesion created has a width that is no greater than about 5 mm.    
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 23   wherein the lesion created has a length to width ratio that is in the range of about 10:1 to 20:1.    
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 26   wherein the lesion created has a width that is no greater than about 5 mm.