Patent ID: 7419489
Filing Date: 2008-09-02
Classification: A61B,C08L

Abstract:
1. An ablation catheter for ablating tissue, the ablation catheter comprising: a catheter shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion adapted to be inserted into a body cavity having tissue to be ablated and being disposed remotely from said proximal portion, said distal portion comprising an active region including a plurality of substantially uniformly spaced portholes of varying cross-sectional area, wherein said portholes are adapted to deliver a conductive fluid medium to the tissue to be ablated; a lumen extending from said proximal portion to said distal portion, said lumen being adapted to carry the conductive fluid medium from said proximal portion to said plurality of portholes along said active region of said distal portion; and a shape memory wire mounted within said lumen and extending through and shaping at least a portion of said distal portion, wherein said shape memory wire is further adapted to supply ablation energy to the conductive fluid medium within said active region.