Patent ID: 6235022
Filing Date: 2001-05-22
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A radio frequency generator and pump apparatus for cooled ablation for ablating tissue in the wall of the heart of a patient, an ablation catheter comprising a flexible elongate member having proximal and distal extremities, an ablation electrode formed of a conductive material and carried by the distal extremity, said ablation electrode having a cavity therein, an electrical conductor carried by the flexible elongate member and coupled to the ablation electrode, a radio frequency generator coupled to said electrical conductor, said flexible elongate member having a liquid carrying lumen extending from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity and opening into the cavity of the ablation electrode, a pump coupled to the liquid lumen for supplying a cooling liquid to the lumen and to the cavity of the ablation electrode and automatic control means for controlling the operation of the radio frequency generator and the pump to supply pre-cooling, cooling and post-cooling in succession without interruption to the ablation electrode to maintain the ablation electrode at a temperature to prevent excessive heating of the ablation electrode and in the wall of the heart when the ablation electrode is in contact with the wall of the heart.