Patent ID: 6360128
Filing Date: 2002-03-19
Classification: A61B,A61N

Abstract:
A method of using a probe assembly within a heart, the comprising the steps of:providing a probe assembly having a catheter body with a distal end, an ablating element integrally attached to the catheter body and extending distally beyond the distal end of the catheter body, a support structure integrally attached to the catheter body and extending distally beyond the distal end about an axis for contacting surrounding tissue in the heart, and a steering element integrally carried by the catheter body and connected to the ablating element for moving the ablating element with respect to the support structure, introducing the catheter body, ablating element and support structure together as an integrated assembly into and advancing it through a patient's vasculature with the support element collapsed about the ablating element, bringing the support structure into contact with heart tissue by expanding the support structure about the ablating element, bringing the ablating element into contact with heart tissue while maintaining contact between the support structure and heart tissue by operating the steering element to move the ablating element into contact with heart tissue, transmitting ablation energy to the ablating element while contacting heart tissue, completely collapsing the support structure about the ablating element, and withdrawing the integrated probe assembly from the patient vasculature while the support structure is completely collapsed about the ablating element.