Guiding introducer system for use in medical procedures in the left ventricle

Abstract

A guiding introducer system for use in the treatment of arrhythmia associated with the left ventricle from the ventricular side comprising an inner guiding introducer and an outer guiding introducer wherein the inner guiding introducer is comprised of a first and second section and the outer guiding introducer is comprised of a first and second sections. The guiding introducer system is for use in sensing, pacing, and ablating procedures in the left ventricle.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A guiding introducer system for treatment of arrhythmia associated with the left ventricle from the ventricular side comprising a precurved inner guiding introducer and a precurved outer guiding introducer wherein said guiding introducers are used in combination.  
     
     
         2 . The guiding introducer system of  claim 1  wherein a dilator containing distal and proximal ends is used in conjunction with the inner and outer guiding introducers, wherein said dilator curves at its distal end in a curve with an arc of about 20 to about 70 degrees.  
     
     
         3 . The guiding introducer system of  claim 1  wherein the inner guiding introducer comprises a first and second sections each with proximal and distal ends, wherein the first section is a generally elongated straight section, wherein merged with the distal end of said first section is the second section which contains a curved section with a radius of about 0.5 to about 1.5 in. to form an arc of approximately 45 to 135 degrees ending in the distal end of the second section of the inner guiding introducer.  
     
     
         4 . The guiding introducer system of  claim 1  wherein the outer guiding introducer comprises a first and second sections each with proximal and distal ends, wherein the first section is a generally elongated straight section, wherein merged with the distal end of said first section is the second section which contains a curved portion, curving in a radius of about 0.5 to about 1.5 in. to form an arc of about 145 to about 260 degrees, ending in the distal end of the second section of the outer guiding introducer.  
     
     
         5 . The guiding introducer system of  claim 1  wherein the outer guiding introducer comprises a first and second section each with proximal and distal ends, wherein the first section is a generally elongated straight section, wherein merged with the distal end of the first section is the second section, wherein the second section contains a compound curved section containing a first curved portion and a second curved portion, wherein the first curved portion has a radius of about 0.5 to about 1.5 inches and an arc of about 10 to about 50 degrees and the second curved portion has a radius of about 0.5 to about 1.5 inches and an arc of about 135 to about 225 degrees.  
     
     
         6 . The guiding introducer system of  claim 3  wherein a plurality of vents is provided near the distal end of the second section of the inner guiding introducer.  
     
     
         7 . The guiding introducer system of  claim 4  wherein a plurality of vents is provided near the distal end of the second section of the outer guiding introducer.  
     
     
         8 . The guiding introducer system of  claim 3  wherein tip markers are secured to the inner guiding introducer.  
     
     
         9 . The guiding introducer system of  claim 4  wherein tip markers are secured to the outer guiding introducer.  
     
     
         10 . A method for the mapping and ablation of arrhythmia associated with the left ventricle from the ventricular side comprising (a) introducing into the left side of the heart a guiding introducer system comprising a precurved inner guiding introducer and a precurved outer guiding introducer, wherein each of the inner and outer guiding introducers contains a lumen passing therethrough, a proximal end and a distal end and wherein the inner guiding introducer is extended into and through the lumen of the outer guiding introducer; (b) introducing into the lumen of the inner guiding introducer a catheter for mapping and ablation, wherein said catheter contains a distal tip and one or more electrodes; and (c) extending said distal tip of the catheter through the lumen of the inner guiding introducer and beyond the distal end of the inner and outer guiding introducers to allow the electrodes of the catheter to map and ablate sites within the left ventricle of the heart from the ventricular side.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the inner guiding introducer comprises a first and second sections, each with proximal and distal ends, wherein the first section is a generally elongated straight section, wherein merged with the distal end of said first section is the second section, wherein the second section contains a curved section with a radius of about 0.5 to about 1.5 in. to form an arc of approximately 45 degrees to about 135 degrees ending in the distal end of the second section of the inner guiding introducer.  
     
     
         12 . 1  The method of  claim 10  wherein the outer guiding introducer comprises a first and second sections each with proximal and distal ends, wherein the first section is a generally elongated straight section, wherein merged with the distal end of said first section is the second section containing a curved section with a radius of about 0.5 to about 1.5 in. to form an arc of about 145 to about 260 degrees, ending in the distal end of the second end of the outer guiding introducer.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the outer guiding introducer comprises a first and second section each with proximal and distal ends, wherein the first section is a generally elongated straight section, wherein merged with the distal end of the first section is the second section wherein the second section of the outer guiding introducer contains a compound curved section containing a first curved portion and a second curved portion wherein the first curved portion has a radius of about 0.5 to about 1.5 inches and an arc of about 10 to about 50 degrees and the second curved portion has a radius of about 0.5 to about 1.5 inches and an arc of about 135 to about 225 degrees.