Irrigation probe for ablation during open heart surgery

Abstract

An irrigation ablation probe comprises a generally rigid probe body and a handle mounted to the proximal end of the probe body. The generally rigid probe body comprises an ablation electrode at its distal end having at least one irrigation opening through which fluid can pass. An infusion tube extends through the probe body for introducing fluid into the ablation electrode. The irrigation ablation probe is useful for treating atrial fibrillation during open heart surgery.

1 . An irrigation ablation probe comprising: 
 an elongated probe body comprising an elongated ablation electrode having proximal and distal ends and defining an inner cavity, the elongated ablation electrode having at least one irrigation opening through which fluid can pass from the inner cavity to the outside of the elongated ablation electrode, the elongated ablation electrode being generally rigid from its proximal to its distal end so that the ablation electrode cannot bend during ablation, and wherein the elongated ablation electrode has an exposed distal portion that is generally straight and forms an angle a greater than 0° with the remainder of the elongated probe body, the angle a being preformed; and    an infusion tube attached to the proximal end of the elongated ablation electrode for introducing fluid into the inner cavity.    
   
   
       2 . An irrigation ablation probe according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongated ablation electrode extends the entire length of the elongated probe body.  
   
   
       3 . An irrigation ablation probe according to  claim 1 , further comprising a non-conductive sheath positioned on the elongated ablation electrode and configured to define the exposed distal portion.  
   
   
       4 . An irrigation ablation probe according to  claim 3 , wherein the elongated ablation electrode has a length greater than a length of the non-conductive sheath.  
   
   
       5 . An irrigation ablation probe according to  claim 1 , further comprising a handle mounted at the proximal end of the elongated probe body, the handle comprising a housing having a generally open interior receiving a proximal end of the elongated ablation electrode.  
   
   
       6 . An irrigation ablation probe according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongated ablation electrode remains in a fixed position relative to the elongated probe body and operation of the probe.  
   
   
       7 . An irrigation ablation probe according to  claim 1 , wherein said infusion tube includes a coupling on its proximal end for connection to a source of fluid.  
   
   
       8 . An irrigation ablation probe according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongated probe body comprises a malleable material.  
   
   
       9 . An irrigation ablation probe comprising: 
 an elongated probe body comprising an elongated tubular ablation electrode having proximal and distal ends and defining an inner cavity, the elongated ablation electrode having at least one irrigation opening through which fluid can pass from the inner cavity to the outside of the ablation electrode, the elongated probe body being generally rigid from its proximal end to its distal end so that the probe body cannot bend during ablation, and wherein the elongated ablation electrode is generally rigid and has an exposed distal portion that is generally straight and forms an angle a greater than 0° with the remainder of the elongated probe body, the angle α being preformed; and    an infusion tube having proximal and distal ends and extending through the elongated probe body for introducing fluid into the inner cavity of the elongated ablation electrode, the distal end of the infusion tube being attached to the elongated ablation electrode.    
   
   
       10 . An irrigation ablation probe according to  claim 9 , wherein the elongated ablation electrode extends the entire length of the elongated probe body.  
   
   
       11 . An irrigation ablation probe according to  claim 9 , further comprising a non-conductive sheath positioned on the elongated tubular ablation electrode and configured to define the exposed distal portion.  
   
   
       12 . An irrigation ablation probe according to  claim 11 , wherein the elongated ablation electrode has a length greater than a length of the non-conductive sheath.  
   
   
       13 . An irrigation ablation probe according to  claim 9 , further comprising a handle mounted to the proximal end of the elongated probe body, the handle comprising a housing having a generally open interior receiving a proximal end of the elongated ablation electrode.  
   
   
       14 . An irrigation ablation probe according to  claim 9 , wherein the elongated ablation electrode remains in a fixed position relative to the elongated probe body and during operation of the probe.  
   
   
       15 . An irrigation ablation probe according to  claim 9 , wherein the elongated ablation electrode forms the infusion tube.  
   
   
       16 . An irrigation ablation probe according to  claim 9 , wherein the elongated ablation electrode is made of stainless steel.  
   
   
       17 . An irrigation ablation probe according to  claim 9 , wherein the elongated ablation electrode has an inner diameter ranging from about 0.40 inch to about 0.80 inch and an outer diameter ranging from about 0.50 inch to about 0.90 inch.  
   
   
       18 . An irrigation ablation probe according to  claim 9 , wherein the elongated ablation electrode has an outer diameter ranging from about 0.50 inch to about 0.70 inch.  
   
   
       19 . An irrigation ablation probe according to  claim 9 , wherein the elongated ablation electrode has an inner diameter ranging from about 0.40 inch to about 0.60 inch.  
   
   
       20 . An irrigation ablation probe according to  claim 9 , wherein the elongated ablation electrode is made of a malleable material.  
   
   
       21 . An irrigation ablation probe according to  claim 13 , wherein the proximal end of the elongated ablation electrode is mounted in the handle.  
   
   
       22 . An irrigation ablation probe according to  claim 9 , further comprising a flexible plastic tubing attached to the proximal end of the elongated ablation electrode for introducing fluid into the elongated ablation electrode.  
   
   
       23 . An irrigation ablation probe according to  claim 13 , further comprising a flexible plastic tubing attached to the proximal end of the elongated ablation electrode within the handle.  
   
   
       24 . An irrigation ablation probe according to  claim 9 , wherein the at least one irrigation opening is located in the exposed distal portion of the elongated tubular ablation electrode to be in contact with the tissue to be ablated.  
   
   
       25 . An irrigation ablation probe according to  claim 9 , wherein the elongated probe body has a length ranging from about 3.5 inches to about 12 inches.  
   
   
       26 . An irrigation ablation probe according to  claim 9 , wherein the elongated probe body has a length ranging from about 5 inches to about 10 inches.  
   
   
       27 . An irrigation ablation probe according to  claim 9 , wherein the elongated probe body has a length ranging from about 7 inches to about 8 inches.  
   
   
       28 . An irrigation ablation probe according to  claim 9 , wherein the exposed distal portion of the elongated ablation electrode has a length ranging from about 0.50 inch to about 1.5 inches.  
   
   
       29 . An irrigation ablation probe according to  claim 9 , wherein the exposed portion of the elongated ablation electrode has a length ranging from about 0.75 inch to about 1.25 inches.  
   
   
       30 . An irrigation ablation probe according to  claim 1 , wherein the exposed distal portion of the elongated ablation electrode is conductive around a full circumference of the exposed distal portion.  
   
   
       31 . An irrigation ablation probe according to  claim 9 , wherein the exposed distal portion of the elongated ablation electrode is conductive around a full circumference of the exposed distal portion.  
   
   
       32 . An irrigation ablation probe according to  claim 30 , wherein substantially the entire exposed distal portion of the elongated ablation electrode is conductive.  
   
   
       33 . An irrigation ablation probe according to  claim 31 , wherein substantially the entire exposed distal portion of the elongated ablation electrode is conductive.  
   
   
       34 . An irrigation ablation probe according to  claim 1 , wherein the angle α ranges from greater than 0° to about 270°.  
   
   
       35 . An irrigation ablation probe according to  claim 1 , wherein the angle α ranges from about 60° to about 140°.  
   
   
       36 . An irrigation ablation probe according to  claim 1 , wherein the angle α is about 90°.  
   
   
       37 . An irrigation ablation probe according to  claim 9 , wherein the angle α ranges from greater than 0° to about 270°.  
   
   
       38 . An irrigation ablation probe according to  claim 9 , wherein the angle α ranges from about 60° to about 140°.  
   
   
       39 . An irrigation ablation probe according to  claim 9 , wherein the angle α is about 90°.  
   
   
       40 . An irrigation ablation probe according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one irrigation opening is located in the exposed distal portion of the elongated ablation electrode to be in contract with the tissue to be ablated.  
   
   
       41 . An irrigation ablation probe according to  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of irrigation openings are located in the exposed distal portion of the elongated ablation electrode to be in contact with the tissue to be ablated.  
   
   
       42 . An irrigation ablation probe according to  claim 7 , wherein the infusion tube and the elongate ablation electrode comprise a single generally hollow body.  
   
   
       43 . An irrigation ablation probe according to  claim 9 , wherein the infuision tube and the elongated ablation electrode comprise a single generally hollow body.