Systems and methods for creating a lesion using transjugular approach

Abstract

A method of treating a tissue region includes inserting a flexible sheath within a vessel, the vessel leading to a tissue region, placing a distal end of the sheath through a wall of the vessel to thereby position the distal end is at or adjacent the tissue region, deploying a plurality of electrodes from the distal end of the sheath such that tips of the deployed electrodes approximately face towards a proximal end, and delivering energy to the tissue region using the deployed electrodes.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
   
   
       22 . A system for treating tissue within a tissue region surrounding a vessel or lumen using electrical energy, comprising:
 a flexible sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, and a body extending between the proximal and the distal ends, wherein the body is sized such that it can be placed within a vessel or lumen, and has a length such that when placed within the vessel or lumen, the proximal end is outside a patient's body and the distal end is adjacent the tissue region;   an elastic shaft configured for slidable movement within the vessel or lumen, the sheath and elastic shaft having sufficient flexible for allowing the sheath and shaft to be steered through the vessel or lumen; and   an array of biased electrodes tines disposed at a distal end of the elastic shaft, the array of biased electrodes having a compressed, low profile configuration when in the vessel or lumen and a relaxed, expanded configuration when outside the vessel or lumen such that tips of the electrode tines face proximally.   
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the sheath comprises a sharp distal tip configured for puncturing the vessel or lumen. 
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the sheath has a length that is between 40 cm and 130 cm. 
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the electrode tines have uniform spacing between adjacent electrode tines. 
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the electrode tines have non-uniform spacing between adjacent electrode tines. 
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 22 , further comprising a steering device secured to a proximal end of the flexible sheath and configured to steer the distal end of the sheath. 
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 27 , the steering device comprising a rotatable cam and one or more steering wires extending from the rotatable cam to the distal end of the sheath. 
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the distal end of the flexible sheath comprises a pre-bent portion. 
   
   
       30 . The system of  claim 22 , further comprising a guidewire disposed within a lumen of the sheath. 
   
   
       31 . The system of  claim 22 , further comprising a radio opaque marker located at the distal end of the sheath. 
   
   
       32 . The system of  claim 22 , further comprising a marker disposed on the proximal end of the flexible shaft. 
   
   
       33 . The system of  claim 22 , further comprising an electrode located at the distal end of the sheath. 
   
   
       34 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the electrode tines are configured to at least partially circumscribe a portion of the vessel or lumen when deployed from the flexible sheath. 
   
   
       35 . The system of  claim 22 , further comprising a sensor disposed at the distal end of the flexible sheath. 
   
   
       36 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the sensor comprises a temperature sensor. 
   
   
       37 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the sensor comprises an impedance sensor. 
   
   
       38 . A system for treating tissue within a tissue region surrounding a vessel or lumen using electrical energy, comprising:
 a flexible sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, and a body extending between the proximal and the distal ends, wherein the body is sized such that it can be placed within a vessel or lumen, and has a length such that when placed within the vessel or lumen, the proximal end is outside a patient's body and the distal end is adjacent the tissue region, the body including a wall having a plurality of openings passing through the wall and configured to increase the flexibility of the sheath;   an elastic shaft configured for slidable movement within the vessel or lumen, the sheath and elastic shaft having sufficient flexible for allowing the sheath and shaft to be steered through the vessel or lumen; and   an array of biased electrodes tines disposed at a distal end of the elastic shaft, the array of biased electrodes having a compressed, low profile configuration when in the vessel or lumen and a relaxed, expanded configuration when outside the vessel or lumen.   
   
   
       39 . The system of  claim 38 , further comprising a sharp distal tip configured for puncturing the vessel or lumen. 
   
   
       40 . The system of  claim 38 , further comprising a steering device secured to a proximal end of the flexible sheath and configured to steer the distal end of the sheath. 
   
   
       41 . The system of  claim 38 , wherein the electrode tines are configured to at least partially circumscribe a portion of the vessel or lumen when deployed from the flexible sheath.