Cryoablation catheter handle

Abstract

A cryogenic catheter system includes a first handle portion having a proximal end, a distal end, a first fluid flow path, and a second fluid flow path; a second handle portion having a proximal end, a distal end, a first fluid flow path, and a second fluid flow path; and a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, a first fluid flow path, and a second fluid flow path. The first handle portion is matable with the second handle portion to place the respective first and second fluid flow paths of each handle portion in fluid communication. Additionally, the catheter system includes a multiple lumen co-axial connector for connecting the catheter flow pathways with a fluid source and control console.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A connector, comprising: 
 a male coupling body having a central shank defining first and second lumens,    a female coupling body matable with the male coupling body and defining third and fourth lumens matable to be in fluid communication with the first and second lumens, respectively, to define first and second fluid flow pathways, respectively, through the connector when the male coupling body is mated with the female coupling body, the second fluid flow pathway being co-axially disposed about a central axis coincident with the first fluid flow pathway, and    a mating mechanism for spatially locking the male and female coupling bodies with respect to each other.    
     
     
         2 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the mating mechanism includes: 
 first and second locking prongs integral with the male coupling body, said prongs extending longitudinally and parallel to the central axis, said shank being centered on said central axis, each prong being spaced apart from said axis by a radial distance and from each other by a separation distance equal to double the radial distance, each prong including a shoulder jutting away from said central axis, and    first and second flanges integral with the female coupling body, each flange being spaced apart from said axis by the radial distance and from each other by the separation distance, said first and second flanges defining first and second openings adapted to receive the first and second locking prongs, 
 wherein the shoulders of said first and second prongs are each in contact with the first and second flanges, respectively, when said male and female coupling bodies are mated to each other.  
   
     
     
         3 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the mating mechanism includes: 
 first and second protuberances integral with said male coupling body and disposed radially apart from a central axis, said shank being centered on said central axis, each protuberance being spaced apart from said axis by a radial distance and from each other by a separation distance equal to double the radial distance, 
 wherein the female coupling body defines first and second enclosures disposed radially apart from said central axis, each enclosure being spaced apart from said axis by the radial distance and from each other by the separation distance,  
 wherein the first and second enclosures are adapted to receive the first and second protuberances, respectively, when said male and female coupling bodies are mated to each other.  
   
     
     
         4 . The connector of  claim 3 , 
 wherein the male coupling body is only insertable into the female coupling body through translation of the male coupling body relative to the female coupling body longitudinally along said central axis, and simultaneous rotation of the male coupling body relative to the female coupling body about said central axis.    
     
     
         5 . The connector of  claim 4 , 
 wherein the first and second protuberances are cylindrically shaped beams disposed on diametrically opposing sides of a base of said shank, said base being cylindrically shaped and having an axis of symmetry coincident with said central axis, and    wherein the female coupling body defines first and second arcuate grooves disposed radially apart from said central axis, and spanning an arc of ninety degrees, each said arc being spaced apart from said axis by the radial distance and from each other by the separation distance, and    adapted to receive the first and second protuberances, respectively, when said male and female coupling bodies are mated to each other    
     
     
         6 . The connector of  claim 4 , 
 wherein the first and second protuberances are L-shaped prongs spaced radially apart from said shank with respect to said central axis,    wherein said L-shaped prongs define first and second annular grooves between a base of said shank, said base being cylindrically shaped and having an axis of symmetry coincident with said central axis, and said first and second L-shaped prongs, respectively, and    wherein the female coupling body defines first and second L-shaped cavities disposed radially apart from said central axis, said first and second L-shaped cavities being adapted to receive the first and second L-shaped prongs, respectively.    
     
     
         7 . The connector of  claim 4 , 
 wherein the first and second protuberances are locking prongs extending longitudinally and parallel to said central axis, each prong being spaced apart from a base of said shank, said base being cylindrically shaped and having an axis of symmetry coincident with said central axis,    wherein said base further including first and second spiral ledges diametrically opposed about the central axis, each of first and second spiral ledges spanning an arc of 180 degrees around said base and around said central axis and having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being separated from the distal by a longitudinal distance along said central axis, and    wherein the female coupling body includes first and second hooks diametrically opposed about the central axis, said first and second hooks being adapted to receive the first and second protuberances, respectively.    
     
     
         8 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the mating mechanism includes: 
 first and second locking prongs integral with the male coupling body, said prongs extending longitudinally and parallel to a central axis, said shank being centered on said central axis, each prong being spaced apart from said axis by a radial distance and from each other by a separation distance equal to double the radial distance, each prong including a shoulder jutting away from said central axis, and    an outer rim integral with the female coupling body, said outer rim having an axis of rotation coincident with said central axis, 
 wherein the shoulders of said first and second prongs are each in contact with said outer rim when said male and female coupling bodies are mated to each other.  
   
     
     
         9 . The connector of  claim 8 , wherein the male coupling body defines a fifth lumen and the female coupling body defines a sixth lumen matable with the fifth lumen to define a third fluid flow pathway through the connector when the male coupling body is mated with the female coupling body.  
     
     
         10 . The connector of  claim 9 , wherein the third fluid flow pathway is co-axially disposed about the central axis, the third fluid flow pathway being circumferentially disposed about the second fluid flow pathway.  
     
     
         11 . A connector, comprising: 
 a first coupling member having a first central longitudinal axis,    a second coupling member having a second central longitudinal axis coincident with the first central longitudinal axis, the second coupling member being insertable into the first coupling member to define first and second fluid flow pathways, the first fluid flow pathway being coincident with the first central longitudinal axis, the second fluid flow pathway being co-axially disposed around the first fluid flow pathway and first central longitudinal axis, and    a means for coupling the first and second coupling members.    
     
     
         12 . The connector of  claim 11 , 
 wherein the first coupling member is insertable into the first coupling member to define a third fluid flow pathway.    
     
     
         13 . The connector of  claim 12 , 
 wherein the third fluid flow pathway is co-axially disposed about the central longitudinal axis, the third fluid flow pathway being circumferentially disposed about the second fluid flow pathway.    
     
     
         14 . The connector of  claim 11 , wherein the means for coupling the first and second coupling members includes a means for inserting the first coupling member into the second coupling member through translation of the first coupling member relative to the second coupling member longitudinally along said central longitudinal axis, and simultaneous rotation of the first coupling member relative to the second coupling member about said central longitudinal axis.  
     
     
         15 . A catheter connector, comprising: 
 first and second complementary matable coupling members defining a plurality of flow conduits when mated,    a means for coupling the first and second coupling members.    
     
     
         16 . The connector of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second coupling members are each centered on a common central axis, and the plurality of flow conduits includes 
 an injection conduit co-incident with said central axis,    a first vacuum return conduit co-axially disposed about said injection conduit and central axis.    
     
     
         17 . The connector of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of flow conduits further includes 
 a second vacuum return conduit disposed about said first vacuum return conduit.    
     
     
         18 . The connector of  claim 17 , wherein the second vacuum return conduit is co-axially disposed about the first vacuum return conduit.