Patent ID: 7575566
Filing Date: 2009-08-18
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method for ablating tissue within a tubular region of or near the heart having an inner circumference, the method comprising: inserting into the tubular region an ablation assembly at a distal end of a catheter, the catheter comprising an elongated tubular catheter body having proximal and distal ends, an axis, and at least one lumen extending therethrough, and wherein the ablation assembly has a preformed generally circular curve having an outer circumference and being generally transverse to the axis of the catheter body, the ablation assembly further comprising a generally straight distal region extending beyond the generally circular curve and substantially tangentially from the generally circular curve, wherein the ablation assembly comprises a generally circularly curved flexible tubing having proximal and distal ends, the flexible tubing carrying a generally bulb-shaped tip electrode at its distal end; contacting the inner circumference of the tubular region with at least a portion of the outer circumference of the generally circular curve so that the tip electrode is in a first position in contact with tissue along the inner circumference of the tubular region; ablating the tissue along the inner circumference of the tubular region at the first position with the tip electrode; rotating the catheter so that the tip electrode is in a second position in contact with other tissue along the inner circumference of the tubular region; and ablating the other tissue at the second position with the tip electrode.