Ep Technologies, Inc.

Medtronic Cryocath LP

Medtronic Cardiorhythm

Mtex Cardio Ag

Karl Heinz Kuck

Russell B Thompson

Ricardo David Roman

Jean-Luc Pageard

Nicolas Coulombe

Andrea Guidotti

David Zarbatany

Yaniv Marmur

Frank Nguyen

Randy Jordan

Julian Chun

Feifan Ouyang

Monica Tocchi

Idan Tobis

Michael Butscheid

The present invention advantageously provides a method and system for the improved isolation and corresponding treatment of tissue targeted for cryogenic or other thermal therapy to increase the thermal efficacy and thermal efficiency of the treatment. In particular, the present invention provides methods and systems for improved thermal treatment of target tissue, such as a pulmonary vein and/or regions of the left atrium by reducing the resistive forces and/or increased thermal energy experienced from blood flow exiting the pulmonary vein into the left atrium during treatment.

Isolation of pulmonary vein

A multiple electrode array senses electrical events in heart tissue at different orientations in a localized region. First, second, and third electrode elements are spaced apart along different axes. The electrodes are electrically isolated from each other. The spaced apart and electrically isolated electrodes sense multiple bipolar signals measured along the different axes. The electrode array can, without changing position, continuously record multiple electrical events at different relative orientations within a localized area. The spacing and orientation of electrodes on the array permit the physician to detect a small volume signal (like one associated with an accessory pathway) and to differentiate it from nearby large volume signals (like those associated with atrial and ventricular potentials).

Method for locating accessory pathways in the heart using multiple pairs

An atrioventricular valve tissue ablation catheter (2), especially suited for treating Mahaim fibers, includes a shaft (4) with a deflectable tip (20) at the distal end (6) and a handle (10) at the proximal end (8). The tip includes a distal segment (66) curving in one direction and a proximal segment (44) curving in the opposite direction so the distal segment causes the distal segment can engage tissue on either side of the annulus (92) of the tricuspid (or mitral) valve (90). Ablation energy can be supplied through the ablation electrodes (46, 70) simultaneously or one at a time to ablate tissue at the annulus without the need for moving the catheter. Mapping electrodes (38) are provided proximal of the ablation electrodes.

Atrioventricular valve tissue ablation catheter and method

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Hamburg, Germany

Karl Heinz Kuck