Ablation catheters

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to multifunctional catheters for performing ablation procedures, and more particularly to ablation catheters utilized in the treatment of atrial fibrillation and other cardiac disorders. The present invention eliminates many of the problems associated with previous ablation catheters by providing an ablation treatment not dependent upon continuous lesions.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A device comprising: i) an elongate catheter body, wherein said elongate catheter body comprises a proximal end and a distal end, and ii) a spiral tip; wherein said spiral tip is configured for tissue ablation; said spiral tip is mounted at said distal end of said elongate catheter body; said spiral tip is capable of expansion and contraction.  
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said device comprises conductive coils on said spiral tip.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said conductive coils comprise at least one conductive coil measuring 2-20 millimeters in size.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said device comprise conductive plates on said spiral tip.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein said distribution comprises at least one conductive plate measuring 2-20 millimeters in size.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said spiral tip is positioned perpendicularly to said distal end of said elongate catheter body.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said spiral tip comprises a plurality of loops.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein said plurality of loops comprises at least one complete loop.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein said loops are separated by gaps.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein said gaps measure less than 5 millimeters.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said spiral tip is peripherally mounted at said distal end of said elongate catheter body.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said spiral tip is configured to create spiral lesions in body tissue.  
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising iii) a handle, wherein said handle is attached to proximal end of said elongate catheter body.  
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein said handle is configured to control expansion and contraction of said spiral tip.  
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said device further comprises an energy source configured to permit emission of energy from said spiral tip.  
     
     
         16 . A device comprising: i) an elongate catheter body, wherein said elongate catheter body comprises a proximal end and a distal end, and ii) an umbrella tip body; said umbrella tip body comprises a central post, and a plurality outer arms; wherein said umbrella tip body is configured for tissue ablation; wherein said umbrella tip body is mounted at said distal end of said elongate catheter body.  
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein said central post extends from distal end of said elongate catheter body.  
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein said plurality of outer arms attach at distal and proximal ends of said central post.  
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein said device comprises conductive coils on said plurality of outer arms.  
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein said conductive coils comprise at least at least one conductive coil measuring 4-10 millimeters in size.  
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein said device comprises conductive plates on said plurality of outer arms.  
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein said conductive plates comprise at least one conductive plate measuring 2-20 millimeters in size.  
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein said umbrella tip is configured to create radial lesions in body tissue.  
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 16 , further comprising iii) a handle; wherein said handle is attached to proximal end of said elongate catheter body.  
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein said handle is configured to control expansion and contraction of said umbrella tip body.  
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein said device further comprises an energy source configured to permit emission of energy from said umbrella tip body.  
     
     
         27 . A method of treating body tissue comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing a device comprising: 
 i) an elongate catheter body, wherein said elongate catheter body comprises a proximal end and a distal end; and  
 ii) a spiral tip, wherein said spiral tip is configured for tissue ablation; said spiral tip is mounted at said distal end of said elongate catheter body; said spiral tip is capable of expansion and contraction; and  
   b) inserting the catheter through a major blood vessel; and    c) guiding the catheter to a target location; and    d) positioning the spiral tip with said target location; and    e) releasing energy from said spiral tip into said target location.    
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said energy is radio-frequency energy.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said major blood vessel is selected from the group comprising jugular vein, femoral vein, femoral artery.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said target location is a location within a mammalian organism.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said target location is a mammalian organ.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said target location is a tumor.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said method is used to treat atrial fibrillation.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein said target location is an atrium of the heart.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said method is used to treat cardiac arrhythmias.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein said target location is a heart.  
     
     
         37 . A method of treating body tissue comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing a device comprising: 
 i) an elongate catheter body, wherein said elongate catheter body comprises a proximal end and a distal end; and  
 ii) an umbrella tip; said umbrella tip comprises a central post, and a plurality of outer arms; said umbrella tip is configured for tissue ablation; said umbrella tip is mounted at said distal end of said elongate catheter body; and  
   b) inserting the catheter through a major blood vessel; and    c) guiding the catheter to a target location; and    d) positioning the umbrella tip with said target location; and    e) releasing energy from said umbrella tip into said target location.    
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said energy is radio-frequency energy.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said major blood vessel is selected from the group comprising jugular vein, femoral vein, femoral artery.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said target location is a location within a mammalian organism.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said target location is a mammalian organ.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said target location is a tumor.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said method is used to treat atrial fibrillation.  
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein said target location is an atrium of the heart.  
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said method is used to treat cardiac arrhythmias.  
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein said target location is a heart.