Loop structures for supporting diagnostic and therapeutic elements in contact with body tissue

Abstract

A probe that facilitates the creation of circumferential lesions in body tissue. The probe includes a elongate body and a loop structure that supports electrodes or other operative elements against the body tissue.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A probe, comprising: 
 an elongate body defining a distal region, a proximal region, a proximal end, a curved portion having a pre-set curvature and a longitudinal axis;    a control element defining a distal portion associated with the distal region of the elongate body and extending outwardly therefrom and proximally to the proximal end of the elongate body; and    at least one operative element supported on the distal region.    
     
     
         2 . A probe as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the elongate body comprises a catheter body.  
     
     
         3 . A probe as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the curved portion is located within the proximal region.  
     
     
         4 . A probe as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the proximal region includes a proximal member defining a first stiffness, the distal region includes a distal member defining a second stiffness, and the second stiffness is less than the first stiffness.  
     
     
         5 . A probe as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one operative element comprises a plurality of electrodes.  
     
     
         6 . A probe as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the elongate body defines a control element aperture and the control element extends from the distal region of the elongate body and into the control element aperture.  
     
     
         7 . A probe as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the curved portion of the elongate body defines an approximately ninety degree curvature.  
     
     
         8 . A probe as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the control element comprises a first control element, the probe further comprising: 
 a second control element secured to a portion of the distal region of the elongate body and extending proximally therefrom.    
     
     
         9 . A probe as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the first control element defines a first stiffness, the second control element defines a second stiffness, and the first stiffness is less than the second stiffness.  
     
     
         10 . A probe as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the distal region defines a middle area and the second control element is secured to the middle area.  
     
     
         11 . A probe as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the curved portion of the elongate body defines a curved portion plane, the distal region comprises a loop defining a loop plane, and the loop plane is arranged at a non-zero angle to the curved portion plane.  
     
     
         12 . A probe as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the loop plane is substantially perpendicular to the curved portion plane.  
     
     
         13 . A probe, comprising: 
 an elongate body defining a distal region and a proximal region, at least a portion of the distal region having a substantially linear channel; and    at least one temperature sensor located in the substantially linear channel.    
     
     
         14 . A probe as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the at least one temperature sensor comprises a plurality of axially spaced temperature sensors.  
     
     
         15 . A probe as claimed in  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 at least one operative element carried on the distal region of the elongate body.    
     
     
         16 . A probe as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the at least one operative element comprises an electrode.  
     
     
         17 . A probe as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the elongate body defines a longitudinal axis and the substantially linear channel is substantially c-shaped in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.  
     
     
         18 . A probe, comprising: 
 an elongate body defining a distal region, a proximal region, a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis;    a first control element defining a distal portion associated with the distal region of the elongate body and extending outwardly from the distal end and proximally to the proximal end of the elongate body;    a second control element extending proximally to the proximal end of the elongate body, the second control element being movably secured to the distal region of the elongate body; and    at least one operative element supported on the distal region.    
     
     
         19 . A probe as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the second control element includes a collar slidably mounted on the distal region of the elongate body.  
     
     
         20 . A probe as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the collar is relatively soft.  
     
     
         21 . A probe as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the collar and distal region of the elongate body are respectively constructed and arranged such that the collar will be movable relative to the distal region when the distal region is in a substantially linear state and the collar will be substantially fixed relative to the distal region when the distal region is in a curved state.  
     
     
         22 . A probe as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the elongate body includes a curved portion having a preset curvature.