Patent ID: 6086581
Filing Date: 2000-07-11
Classification: A61B,A61N

Abstract:
A cardiac ablation system, comprisingan elongated guide member having a cross sectional dimension,a body carried by the guide member having an exterior surface with a normal cross sectional dimension no greater than the cross sectional dimension of the guide member and which, in response to fluid pressure, inflates from its normal cross sectional dimension to a second cross sectional dimension greater than the cross sectional dimension of the guide member,a source of fluid pressure,a lumen in the guide member to introduce fluid pressure from the source into the body,a source of radio frequency electromagnetic ablating energy,an electrically conductive coating on the exterior surface of the body for transmitting the ablating energy from the body sufficient to cause permanent, irreversible thermal damage to myocardial tissue, anda signal wire coupled to the source of radio frequency electromagnetic energy and the coating to conduct the radio frequency electromagnetic ablation energy to the coating.