Abstract:
An atrial ablation catheter with an electrode array particularly adapted to locate and ablate foci of arrhythmia which are required for sustained atrial fibrillation is provided. The array is easily deployed and retracted from the catheter, and presents a proximally oriented electrode array that can be pulled against the septal wall of the left atrium to engage the septal wall.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/997,713, filed Nov. 24, 2004, and entitled “Atrial Ablation Catheter Adapted for Treatment of Septal Wall Arrhythmogenic Foci and Method of Use”. 
       INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
       [0002]    All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The inventions described below relate the field of atrial ablation. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Atrial fibrillation is a form of arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, in which the atria (the two small upper chambers of the heart) quiver instead of beating effectively. While there are a number of variations of atrial fibrillation with different causes, they all involve irregularities in the transmission of electrical impulses through the heart. As a result of abnormalities in the heart&#39;s electrical impulses, the heart is not able to pump the blood out properly, and it may pool and clot. If a blood clot moves to an artery in the brain, AF can lead to stroke. AF is also associated with increased risks of congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy. These risks warrant medical attention for patients with AF even if the symptoms are mild. Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained heart rhythm disorder and increases the risk for heart disease and stroke, both leading causes of death in the United States. Over 2 million adults in the United States have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. 
         [0005]    Various ablation techniques have been proposed to treat atrial fibrillation, including the Cox-Maze procedure, linear ablation of various regions of the atrium, and circumferential pulmonary vein ablation. Each of these techniques has its various drawbacks. The Cox-Maze procedure and linear ablation procedures are tedious and time-consuming, taking up to several hours to accomplish endocardially. Circumferential ablation is proving to lead to rapid stenosis and occlusion of the pulmonary veins, and of course is not applicable to treatment of the septal wall of the left atrium. The catheter mounted electrode arrays described in our co-pending patent application Kunis, et al., Atrial Ablation Catheter and Method of Use, U.S. application Ser. No. 10/997,172 filed Nov. 22, 2004 provide for more efficient and effective treatment of atrial fibrillation. The treatment of the septal wall is facilitated with the devices and methods described below, which permit septal wall treatment from a percutaneous venous access route without the need to maneuver a distally facing electrode array in apposition to the septal wall. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The devices and methods described below provide for a simplified approach to the treatment of atrial fibrillation with substantially improved efficacy and outcomes in patients with paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation, especially for those arrhythmia originating from, or sustained by, arrhythmogenic foci located on the septal wall of the left atrium. An endocardial catheter with an electrode array particularly adapted to locate and ablate foci of arrhythmia which are required for sustained atrial fibrillation is provided. The array is easily deployed and retracted from the catheter, and presents a proximally oriented electrode array that can be pulled against the septal wall of the left atrium to engage the septal wall. A control system comprising an ECG analyzer and a RF power supply operates to analyze electrical signals obtained from the electrode array, determine if an arrhythmogenic focus is present in the area covered by the array, and supply RF power to appropriate electrodes to ablate the focus. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates the treatment to be accomplished with the devices and methods described below. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  illustrates an atrial sensing and ablation catheter with an expandable electrode array constrained within an outer catheter tube. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of the distal portion of the catheter of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a cross-section of the distal portion of the catheter of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  illustrates the atrial sensing and ablation catheter of  FIG. 2  with the electrode array in its expanded configuration. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 6 and 6   a  is an enlarged view of the electrode array in its expanded configuration. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6   b  illustrates the meaning of the terminology which precisely defines the electrode array of  FIGS. 5 and 6   
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is an end view of the electrode array in its expanded configuration. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7   a  is an end view of the electrode array, with an asymmetric arrangement of electrodes, in its expanded configuration. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate the mechanism of recapture of the electrode array of the atrial ablation catheter. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 10 and 10   a  illustrates an alternate geometry of the septal wall array. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10   b  illustrates the meaning of the terminology which precisely defines the electrode array of  FIGS. 10 and 10   a.    
           [0019]      FIGS. 11 ,  12  and  13  illustrate additional alternative geometries of the array. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 14 and 15  illustrate the method of using the device of to treat the septal wall of the left atrium. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]      FIG. 1  illustrates the treatment to be accomplished with the devices and methods described below.  FIG. 1  shows a cutaway view of the human heart  1 , showing the major structures of the heart including the right atrium  2 , the left atrium  3 , the right ventricle  4 , and the left ventricle  5 . The atrial septum  6  separates the left and right atria. The fossa ovalis  7  is a small depression in the atrial septum which is easily punctured and easily heals. The percutaneous venous approach through the right atrium and the fossa ovalis is the preferred access pathway to the left atrium. In a patient suffering from atrial fibrillation, aberrant electrically conductive tissue may be found in the atrial walls  8  and  9 , including the septal wall surrounding the fossa ovalis, as well as in the pulmonary veins  10  and pulmonary arteries  11 . These areas of aberrant electrically conductive tissue, referred to as arrhythmogenic foci, drivers or rotors, cause or sustain atrial fibrillation. Ablation of these areas is an effective treatment for atrial fibrillation. Though circumferential ablation of the pulmonary veins cures the arrhythmia which originates in the pulmonary veins, it often results in rapid stenosis of the pulmonary veins. Ablation of foci, rotors or drivers on atrial walls, however, may prevent the propagation of any aberrant electrical activity that originates in the pulmonary veins, originates in other regions of the atrial wall, or originates on the septal wall itself. 
         [0022]    To accomplish ablation of the septal wall of the left atrium, a catheter is inserted into the atrium, preferably through the inferior vena cava  20 , as shown in the illustration, or through the superior vena cava  21 , into the right atrium and then into left atrium. When passing into the left atrium, as illustrated, the catheter penetrates the fossa ovalis (a trans-septal puncture will facilitate the crossing). The catheter  22  carries a distal electrode array  23  into the atrium, and this electrode array is adapted to be pulled into contact with the section of the atrial wall surrounding the fossa ovalis. The electrode array is electrically connected to circuitry in a control system  24  which is operable to analyze electrical signals detected by the electrodes and pass RF current through the electrodes and heart tissue to ablate the tissue. A surface electrode  25  is mounted on the patient&#39;s body (typically on the back) to permit use of the electrodes in monopolar modes. A return electrode  26  may also be provided on the catheter  22 , proximal to the electrode array. Using the catheter, an electrophysiologist will map regions of the septal wall of the left atrium and apply energy through the catheter to ablate any arrhythmogenic foci which are identified in the mapping procedure. The procedure may be repeated as necessary on the septal wall, rotating the array if necessary, to ablate all detected foci. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  illustrates an atrial sensing and ablation catheter  22  with an expandable electrode array. The catheter comprises a handle  30  with a steering control knob  31 , electrical connector  32  and side-arm connector  33 . The electrical connector is used to connect the catheter to the control box. An outer catheter tube  34  is slidably mounted on the inner catheter tube  35 , and they may be releasably secured to each other by sliding the proximal portion of the outer catheter sheath strain relief  36  over the cylindrical detent  37  which is fixed to the handle. The side arm connector is used as a flushing port, to allow the flushing of debris and blood from the space between the inner and outer catheter tubes. The electrode array  23  is fixed to the inner catheter tube  35 , and is restrained within the distal portion of the outer catheter tube  34 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of the distal portion of the catheter of  FIG. 2 . The electrode array  23  comprises a number of resiliently biased arms  39  which each carry a number of electrodes  40 . An array of three arms, each of which carry four electrodes, is suitable for use in the atria. The arms each comprise a wire (preferably a flat wire) with a distal section  41 , a proximal section  42  and an intervening bend section  43 . The electrodes are placed on the proximal sections. The proximal end of each arm is fixed to the inner catheter tube  35 . The distal end of each arm is fixed to the floating tube (or pin)  44 . This floating tube is retained within the inner catheter tube, but is free to slide longitudinally within the inner catheter tube. The necessary electrical wires  45  and  46  which connect the electrodes to the control system run from each electrode proximally along the arm (and through any intervening electrodes), and enter the lumen of the floating tube  44  and then run proximally through the inner catheter tube and into the catheter handle. (Additional wires for temperature sensing thermistor or thermocouples may be included.) The wires are looped within the handle to provide the distension necessary for the resilient deployment of the electrode array as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . A steering pull wire  47  is secured to the distal end of the inner catheter tube. The pull wire runs proximally to the steering control knob in the proximal handle, and is operably connected to the control knob so that rotation of the control knob pulls the pull wire to effectuate steering of the distal end of the device. The outer catheter tube is sufficiently flexible so that it is steered by deflection of the inner catheter tube. The materials used for each component are selected to provide the suitable flexibility, column strength and steerability. The outer catheter tube  34  may comprises nylon, polyester or other suitable polymer, and the inner catheter tube  35  comprises a stainless steel coil covered in shrink tubing to provide tensile strength. The electrode arms  39  comprise flat nitinol wires. The floating tube  44  comprises a stainless steel coil. The floating tube may be disposed over the inner catheter if accommodations are made for proximal fixation of the proximal arm segments to the inner catheter, such as placing the fixation points proximally on the inner catheter or providing slots on the proximal portion of the floating tube. The electrode wires may be disposed on or in the wall of the inner catheter, rather than passing through the lumen of the inner catheter as shown in the Figures. 
         [0025]      FIG. 4  is a cross-section of the proximal portion of the catheter of  FIG. 2 . At this cross section, an electrode  40  is mounted on each arm  39 . These electrodes will be located on the proximally facing portion of the deployed array as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The electrodes are tubes of triangular cross section, with tissue contacting faces directed radially outwardly from the catheter. The electrode wires  45 , which are connected to the inside electrodes, run through the outer electrodes on their route to the floating tube. The electrode wires  46  are fixed to the inner wall of the outer electrode. As shown in this view, the electrodes are collapsed upon the floating tube  44 , and due to the triangular shape they are securely packed within the outer catheter tube  34 . The floating tube  44  also houses the various electrode wires  45  and  46 . 
         [0026]      FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate the atrial sensing and ablation catheter of  FIG. 2  with the electrode array in its expanded configuration. The outer catheter tube  34  has been withdrawn proximally over the catheter inner tube, allowing the array arms  39  to expand to create array elements defining a substantially cordate or hastate proximal outline. The term cordate is used as it is in botany to describe a leaf with a base (where the leaf attaches to the stem) which is heart-shaped, having rounded lobes at the base which arch proximally away from the tip and then curve distally toward the tip of the leaf, as shown in  FIG. 6   b . The term hastate is also adopted from botany, and refers to proximally tending lobes with slightly curved proximal outlines and sharply bending tips, also as shown in  FIG. 6   b . In the array shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the base of the array (the proximal portion analogous to the base of a leaf) is heart-shaped, having rounded lobes at the base which arch proximally away from the base and then curve outward and distally toward the tip of the array. Each proximal arm segment resiliently bends radially outwardly from the proximal connection with the inner catheter tube, bending sharply in the proximal direction before arching outwardly and distally, while each distal arm segment bends radially inwardly from the bend portion toward the longitudinally axis of the catheter. 
         [0027]    The electrode array includes a number electrodes  40  mounted on the proximal section  42  of each array arm, and the distal section  41  need not have any electrodes disposed on it, as is shown. The overall shape of each arm is elongate on an axis perpendicular to the long axis of the catheter, having a radial length R which is several times the axial length A. 
         [0028]    The resilient expansion of the electrode array pushes the floating tube  44  proximally into the inner catheter tube. When the outer catheter tube is pushed distally over the electrode array, the distal electrode arms will be forced distally, as the proximal segments are compressed inwardly starting from the proximal end, to first splay the distal segments toward and through a perpendicular relationship with the floating tube such that the joint between the arms and the floating tube is distal to the bend point, while drawing the floating tube distally within the inner catheter tube. 
         [0029]      FIG. 7  is a proximal end view of the electrode array in its expanded configuration. In this view, the three-arm array is fully expanded resiliently. The array provides four electrodes on each of three arms evenly distributed about the floating tube  44 . The electrode wires  45  and  46  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) extend inwardly from the electrodes and run proximally down the floating tube. The arms are each separated from the adjacent arms by about 120°. The array, when deployed and flattened as shown, is preferably about 15 to 30 mm in diameter (to the outer extent of the arm), with each distal arm segment  41  being about 7.5 to 15 mm long. The diameter of the electrode group (from the center to the outer extent of the electrodes) is preferably about 2 to 30 mm. The wire width is preferable about 0.26 mm, and the distal face of the electrodes is preferably about 1 to 2 mm wide and 2 to 3 mm long (the illustrated electrodes are 2 mm wide and 1.6 mm wide). The electrode array can comprise any number of arms, and each arm can carry any number of electrodes, though the three arm array, with dimensions described above, is well suited for the septal wall ablation therapy.  FIG. 7   a  is an end view of the electrode array, with an asymmetric arrangement of electrodes, in its expanded configuration. In this embodiment, each electrode is 2 mm long, and is fixed to the array arm with a 2 mm gap between adjacent electrodes. The inner electrode of the first set of electrodes  40   a  is placed at a distance of 2 mm (indicated by item d 1 ) from the inner catheter tube  35  and each of the additional electrodes are placed with 2 mm gaps between each electrode, while the inner electrode of the second set of electrodes  40   b  is placed at a distance of 4 mm (indicated by item d 2 ) from the inner catheter tube  35  and each of the additional electrodes are placed with 2 mm gaps between each electrode, and the inner electrode of the third set of electrodes  40   c  is placed at a distance of 6 mm (indicated by item d 3 ) from the inner catheter tube  35  and each of the additional electrodes are placed with 2 mm gaps between each electrode. With the electrodes arranged in this asymmetric pattern on each of the otherwise symmetrical array arms, rotation of the array after ablation in one position will be less likely to result in seating the electrodes directly on a previously ablated section of the septal wall. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate the mechanism of recapture of the electrode array. When the outer catheter tube  34  is pushed distally over the inner catheter tube  35  and the electrode array, the distal electrode arms  41  will be forced distally, as the proximal segments  42  are compressed inwardly starting from the proximal end, as shown in  FIG. 8 . This initially splays the distal segments toward a perpendicular relationship with the floating tube as shown in  FIG. 8 . As the outer catheter tube is translated further distally, such that the joint between the arms and the floating tube is distal to the bend point, the distal arm segments become further splayed, such that they are distal to the proximal arms segments. Because the distal arm segments are fixed to the floating tube, their movement distally draws the floating tube distally within the inner catheter tube. The array is completely captured when the outer catheter tube is translated fully forward to resume the position shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . As can be seen from the illustration, the bend sections provide a means for rotatably joining the distal arm segment to the proximal arm segment, and other suitable mechanisms, such as hinges, may be used instead. 
         [0031]      FIGS. 10 and 10   a  illustrate an alternate geometry of the septal wall array. The outer catheter tube  34  has been withdrawn proximally over the catheter inner tube, allowing the array arms  39  to expand to create array elements defining a substantially sagittate proximal outline. We use the term sagittate as that term is used in botany, where it describes a leaf with a base (where the leaf attaches to the stem) which is arrow-shaped (the back end of the arrow), having sharply triangular lobes with generally straight sides at the base which bend proximally away from the tip and then sharply turn distally toward the tip of the leaf, as shown in  FIG. 10   b . Here, the array arms have sharply triangular lobes at the base which bend proximally away from the catheter and then sharply turn distally toward the tip of the array. Each proximal arm segment resiliently bends radially outwardly from the proximal connection with the inner catheter tube, bending sharply in the proximal direction, while each distal arm segment bends radially inwardly from the bend portion toward the longitudinally axis of the catheter. The floating tube  44  of  FIG. 6  need not be used, as in this example the array distal arm segments are joined at their extreme distal ends to floating pins  51  which comprise proximally running segments that enter the inner catheter tube to provide the floating attachment of the distal arm segments to the catheter body. (Thus both floating pin or arm extensions, or the floating tube, and other suitable means, may be used to fix the distal end of the electrode arms in a radially central area while leaving the distal ends of the electrode arms freely translatable along the catheter longitudinal axis.) The electrode array can be restrained within the outer catheter tube, released and recaptured by sliding the outer catheter proximally or distally. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 11 ,  12  and  13  illustrate additional alternative geometries of the array. In each device, the overall shape of the array arms may be as shown in any of the previous figures, but the array is asymmetrical or oblique. In  FIG. 11 , the array consists of a single arm  39 , while in  FIG. 12  the array comprises two arms disposed at a slight angle to each other, so that the array is radially asymmetrical. In  FIG. 13 , the array comprises an array arms  39  and  39   a  which are of substantial different sized, resulting in an oblique arrangement. Again, the term oblique is borrowed from botany, where it refers to leaves with lopsided proximal lobes, very similar to the lopsided proximal outlines of the array arms in  FIG. 13 . These arrays may be used where the anatomy of a particular patient&#39;s atrium demands, as where the fossa ovalis is positioned very near an upper or lower wall which would prevent full deployment of a symmetrical array. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 14 and 15  illustrate the method of using the device of  FIG. 6  or  10 .  FIG. 14  shows the heart  1  from the left side, showing the left atrium  3 , the left ventricle  5 , pulmonary veins  10 , pulmonary artery  11 . The left atrium is shown in a cutaway view, in which the atrial septum  6  and its left atrial surface  53  and the fossa ovalis  7  are shown. To treat arrhythmogenic foci, drivers or rotors on the septal wall near the fossa ovalis, the distal end of the catheter of Figure  FIG. 6  or  10  is inserted through the fossa ovalis (via the transeptal approach from the right atrium). Thereafter, the outer catheter is withdrawn, so that the electrode array arms  39  resiliently expand to the configuration in which the proximal arm segments are substantially parallel or slightly reflexed relative to the long axis of the catheter. As shown in  FIG. 15 , to engage the septal wall, the electrode array is pulled proximally into contact with the septal wall, by pulling proximally on the catheter inner tube  35 . As shown, the array will deform, forcing the distal arm segments  41  to splay distally, drawing the floating posts or pins  51  distally in response to the deformation of the array, while at the same time resiliently biasing the proximal arm segments  42  and the electrodes  40  against the septal wall  53  of the left atrium. 
         [0034]    After contact has been established between the atrium wall and the electrode array, the operator will analyze electrical signals detected by the electrodes to determine if the array has been placed over an arrhythmogenic focus. If it has, the operator may energize any of the electrodes, as appropriate, to ablate the focus. Bipolar RF energy may be applied between pairs of the electrodes, or monopolar energy may be applied to any of the electrodes (grounded to the surface electrode or a return electrode located proximally on the catheter body). The array may moved off the septal wall, rotated slightly, and reseated against the septal wall to test and treat the entire area surrounding the fossa ovalis with just a few array arms (alternatively, the array may be provided with many arms, such that the electrode density it sufficient to find an ablate all significant foci within its footprint). Linear lesions may be created using the electrodes along a single proximal arm, operating the electrodes in bipolar mode, and other therapeutic lesions may be created using electrodes pairs established between the electrodes of one arm and the electrodes of another arm, operating such pairs in bipolar mode, or operating electrodes in conjunction with return electrodes in a monopolar mode. 
         [0035]    While the preferred embodiments of the devices and methods have been described in reference to the environment in which they were developed, they are merely illustrative of the principles of the inventions. Other embodiments and configurations may be devised without departing from the spirit of the inventions and the scope of the appended claims.