Patent ID: 6953460
Filing Date: 2005-10-11
Classification: A61B,A61M,A61N

Abstract:
1. A tissue ablation apparatus for ablating a circumferential region of tissue, comprising: a guidewire; an elongate body with a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the elongate body having a guidewire lumen adapted for slideably receiving the guidewire; an expandable member coupled to the distal end portion of the elongate body, the expandable member being adjustable from a collapsed position to an expanded position, wherein in the expanded position the expandable member is adapted to engage a substantial portion of the circumferential region of tissue; an ultrasound transducer disposed within an interior of the expandable member, the ultrasonic transducer being adapted to emit ultrasound energy for ablating at least a portion of the circumferential region of tissue; a sensor coupled to the expandable member at a location; and a conductor coupled to a coupler at the proximal end portion of the elongated body and to the sensor in a manner that does not substantially affect the adjustment of the expandable member from the collapsed position to the expanded position; wherein the expandable member has an outer surface that is adapted to contact at least the substantial portion of the circumferential region of tissue along an ablative path when the expandable member is adjusted to the expanded position; and wherein the sensor comprises an electrode.