Patent ID: 6941953
Filing Date: 2005-09-13
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method of producing linear ablation lines in the left atrium for treatment of atrial fibrillation, comprising: providing a pre-shaped left atrial catheter set to provide complete electrical isolation of the pulmonary veins from the surrounding left atrium to prevent focal triggering of atrial fibrillation and reentry around the pulmonary veins and mitral valve annulus, the catheter set including a first catheter including a pre-shaped distal segment having a distal linear ablation antenna and a U-shaped curve portion proximal to the distal linear ablation antenna, the U-shaped curve of the first catheter allows catheter contact with a posterior wall of the left atrium horizontally just superior or just inferior to pulmonary veins, a second catheter including a pre-shaped distal segment having a distal linear ablation antenna and a 90° deflected portion proximal to the linear ablation antenna, and a third catheter including a pre-shaped distal segment having a distal linear ablation antenna and a 170-180° deflected portion proximal to the linear ablation antenna; deploying the preshaped distal segment of the first catheter in the left atrium so that the preshaped distal segment of the first catheter takes the U-shaped curve shape, and creating first and second linear ablation lesions that connect the superior and inferior pulmonary veins horizontally with the distal linear ablation antenna of the first catheter; creating a third linear ablation lesion that connects the left pulmonary veins vertically with the distal linear ablation antenna of the second catheter; creating a fourth linear ablation lesion that connects the right pulmonary veins vertically along the inter-atrial septum, with a continuing connecting line to the mitral valve annulus, with the distal linear ablation antenna of the third catheter, whereby the linear ablation lesions provide complete electrical isolation of the pulmonary veins from the surrounding left atrium to prevent focal triggering of atrial fibrillation and reentry around the pulmonary veins and mitral valve annulus.