System and method for endoluminal and translumenal therapy

Abstract

A system for conducting denervation of the neural plexus adjacent the renal artery, comprises a pre-shaped ablative element operatively coupled to an elongate deployment member configured to be navigated into the renal artery, the pre-shaped ablative element comprising one or more RF electrodes disposed in an arcuate pattern; and an energy source operatively coupled to the one or more RF electrodes and being configured to cause current to flow from the pre-shaped ablative element and cause localized heating sufficient to denervate nearby neural tissue.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A catheter system for performing a medical procedure, comprising:
 a sheath instrument configured to be advanced within a patient, the sheath instrument comprising a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a sheath wall that surrounds and forms a guide insertion lumen;   a guide instrument configured to be advanced through the guide insertion lumen, the guide instrument comprising a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a guide wall that surrounds and forms a pre-shaped instrument lumen; and   a pre-shaped instrument configured to be advanced through the pre-shaped instrument lumen, the pre-shaped instrument comprising a curved proximal end and extending from the proximal portion of the guide instrument; and   wherein, in use, the pre-shaped instrument is advanced to a target site via the pre-shaped instrument lumen to perform the medical procedure.   
     
     
         19 . The catheter system of  claim 18 , wherein the curved proximal end of the pre-shaped instrument comprises a J-curve shape. 
     
     
         20 . The catheter system of  claim 18 , wherein the curved proximal end of the pre-shaped instrument comprises an electrode, the electrode configured to create a lesion at the target site when a current flows through the electrode. 
     
     
         21 . The catheter system of  claim 20 , wherein the pre-shaped instrument is configured to be withdrawn to create an elongate lesion within the target site. 
     
     
         22 . The catheter system of  claim 21 , wherein the current discontinuously flows through the electrode as the pre-shaped instrument is withdrawn. 
     
     
         23 . The catheter system of  claim 21 , wherein the current continuously flows through the electrode as the pre-shaped instrument is withdrawn. 
     
     
         24 . The catheter system of  claim 21 , wherein the elongate lesion comprises a linear or curvy pattern. 
     
     
         25 . The catheter system of  claim 18 , wherein the curved proximal end of the pre-shaped instrument comprises a spiral or helical shape. 
     
     
         26 . The catheter system of  claim 18 , wherein the pre-shaped instrument is coupled to a hypotube. 
     
     
         27 . The catheter system of  claim 26 , wherein the pre-shaped instrument is coupled to the hypotube via a metallic crimping coupler. 
     
     
         28 . The catheter system of  claim 18 , further comprising a restraining tube configured to radially collapse the curved proximal end of the pre-shaped instrument as the pre-shaped instrument is advanced through the pre-shaped instrument lumen, the restraining tube further configured to be removed from the curved proximal end to allow the curved proximal end to radially expand. 
     
     
         29 . The catheter system of  claim 18 , wherein the catheter is used for a renal plexus denervation or a renal neuroplexus diagnostic procedure. 
     
     
         30 . The catheter system of  claim 18 , wherein the sheath instrument and the guide instrument are configured to be controlled robotically by the catheter system. 
     
     
         31 . The catheter system of  claim 18 , wherein the pre-shaped instrument are configured to be controlled robotically by the catheter system. 
     
     
         32 . A method for performing a medical procedure using a robotic catheter system, the method comprising:
 advancing a sheath instrument within a patient, the sheath instrument comprising a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a sheath wall that surrounds and forms a guide insertion lumen;   advancing a guide instrument through the guide insertion lumen, the guide instrument comprising a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a guide wall that surrounds and forms a pre-shaped instrument lumen, the guide instrument extending from the proximal portion of the sheath instrument;   advancing a pre-shaped instrument through the pre-shaped instrument lumen, the pre-shaped instrument comprising a curved proximal end, the pre-shaped instrument extending from the proximal portion of the guide instrument; and   advancing the pre-shaped instrument to a target site to perform a medical procedure.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the curved proximal end of the pre-shaped instrument comprises a spiral or helical shape. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the pre-shaped instrument is coupled to a hypotube. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the medical procedure comprises renal plexus denervation or a renal neuroplexus diagnostic procedure. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein advancing the sheath instrument and advancing the guide instrument are performed robotically by the robotic catheter system. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein advancing the pre-shaped instrument is performed robotically by the robotic catheter system.