Patent ID: 9089314
Filing Date: 2015-07-28
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An intravascular catheter for treating an area of tissue, the catheter comprising: a first expandable member disposed on a portion of the catheter; a second expandable member disposed within the first expandable member to define an interstitial region therebetween, the second expandable member defining a cooling chamber; a volume of an interstitial agent disposed within the interstitial region, the volume of the interstitial agent comprising a gel, saline, contrast solution or a mixture thereof having a viscosity between approximately 0.6 cP and approximately 2000 cP, the volume of the interstitial agent being configured such that at least partial contact between the first and second expandable members is achieved when at least a portion of the first expandable member is in contact with the area of tissue during a treatment procedure, the contact involving a compressive force against the tissue that is atraumatic to the tissue; a coolant flow path in fluid communication with the cooling chamber; a cryogenic coolant source in fluid communication with the coolant flow path, the cryogenic coolant being circulated within the cooling chamber when the first and second expandable members are at least partially in contact with each other during the treatment procedure; and an interstitial agent delivery flow path in fluid communication with the interstitial region, the at least partial contact between the first and second expandable members providing greater thermal conductivity of the first expandable member, such that the first expandable member reaches a temperature sufficient to cause tissue ablation when the cryogenic coolant is circulated through the cooling chamber.