Patent Abstract:
An invasive probe includes an insertion tube containing a lumen for providing an irrigation fluid and comprising a distal portion having a plurality of perforations therethrough providing fluid communication between the lumen and an outer surface of the insertion tube. At least one helical electrode is fitted over the distal portion of the insertion tube.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to medical devices, and specifically to cooling of tissue contacted by an invasive probe within the body. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In some medical procedures, energy is imparted to body tissue locally, in a concentrated dose, and it is desirable to cool the treatment area in order to reduce collateral tissue damage. 
     For example, cardiac ablation therapy is used to treat arrhythmias by heating tissue with radio-frequency (RF) electrical energy to create non-conducting lesions in the myocardium. It has been found that cooling the area of the ablation site reduces tissue charring and thrombus formation. For this purpose, Biosense Webster Inc. (Diamond Bar, Calif.) offers the ThermoCool® irrigated-tip catheter as part of its integrated ablation system. The metal catheter tip, which is energized with RF current to ablate the tissue, has a number of peripheral holes, distributed circumferentially around the tip, for irrigation of the treatment site. A pump coupled to the catheter delivers saline solution to the catheter tip, and the solution flows out through the holes during the procedure in order to cool the catheter tip and the tissue. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present invention that are described hereinbelow provide irrigated probes for invasive medical procedures, such as irrigated catheters for use in RF ablation, as well as efficient methods for manufacturing such probes. 
     There is therefore provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an invasive probe, including an insertion tube containing a lumen for providing an irrigation fluid and including a distal portion having a plurality of perforations therethrough providing fluid communication between the lumen and an outer surface of the insertion tube. At least one helical electrode is fitted over the distal portion of the insertion tube. 
     Typically, the probe includes one or more wires that pass through the tube and are electrically coupled to the at least one helical electrode. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one helical electrode covers some of the perforations. 
     In one embodiment, the at least one helical electrode includes multiple helical electrodes, which are distributed along the distal portion. 
     In a disclosed embodiment, the insertion tube is configured for insertion through a blood vessel into a chamber of a heart of a subject, so as to bring the at least one helical electrode into contact with endocardial tissue in the heart. 
     Typically, the plurality of the perforations includes at least eight perforations, and possibly at least fifty perforations. The perforations typically have a diameter less than 0.5 mm, and possibly less than 0.2 mm. The perforations may have respective sizes that vary depending on respective longitudinal locations of the perforations. 
     In one embodiment, the at least one helical electrode includes a wire coil helically wound about the distal portion of the insertion tube. In another embodiment, the at least one helical electrode includes a tube cut out along a spiral pattern. 
     There is also provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, medical apparatus, including a probe, for insertion into a body of a subject. The probe includes an insertion tube containing a lumen and including a distal portion having a plurality of perforations therethrough providing fluid communication between the lumen and an outer surface of the insertion tube, with at least one helical electrode fitted over the distal portion of the insertion tube and configured to contact tissue in the body. An energy generator is coupled to the probe so as to supply electrical energy to the at least one helical electrode. An irrigation pump is coupled to the lumen so as to supply an irrigation fluid via the lumen and the perforations to the tissue. 
     In a disclosed embodiment, the energy generator is coupled to supply electrical energy to the at least one helical electrode in order to ablate the tissue. For example, the probe may be configured for insertion through a blood vessel into a heart of the subject for ablation of myocardial tissue in the heart. 
     There is additionally provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method for treatment, including inserting a probe into a body of a subject. The probe includes an insertion tube containing a lumen and including a distal portion having a plurality of perforations therethrough providing fluid communication between the lumen and an outer surface of the insertion tube, with at least one helical electrode fitted over the distal portion of the insertion tube. The at least one helical electrode is brought into contact with tissue in the body. Electrical energy is applied through the at least one helical electrode to the tissue, and an irrigation fluid is supplied via the lumen and the perforations to the tissue. 
     Typically, the fluid is supplied in order to cool the distal portion and the tissue. 
     There is further provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method for producing a medical device, including creating a plurality of perforations through an outer surface of a distal portion of an insertion tube containing a lumen so as to provide fluid communication between the lumen and an outer surface of the insertion tube. At least one helical electrode, including a conductive material, is slid over the distal portion of the insertion tube. The at least one helical electrode is then affixed to the outer surface of the distal portion of the insertion tube. 
     The present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of the embodiments thereof, taken together with the drawings in which: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic, pictorial illustration of a system for cardiac ablation therapy, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic side view of a perforated catheter insertion tube, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic side view of a coil electrode, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic side view of the distal portion of a perforated catheter onto which a coil electrode has been fitted, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic, cross-sectional view of the catheter of  FIG. 4 , taken along a line V-V; and 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic side view of a lasso catheter with coil electrodes, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     In RF electrical ablation procedures, as noted earlier, irrigating the area of the ablation site reduces tissue charring, thrombus formation, and adhesion between the ablation electrode and the tissue. Methods and devices for irrigation to date have required that the electrode itself be perforated so that irrigation fluid can pass out of the catheter through the perforations into the treatment area. A perforated electrode of this type and methods for producing the perforations are described, for example, in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/173,150, filed Jul. 15, 2008, which is assigned to the assignee of the present patent application and whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference. Creating the perforations is time-consuming and costly, however, and may weaken the electrode structure. 
     Embodiments of the present invention that are described hereinbelow provide a simple, inexpensive method for producing ring electrodes with irrigation. An invasive probe, such as a catheter, is produced with multiple perforations through its outer wall in the area in which a ring electrode is to be placed. The perforations communicate with a lumen inside the probe, which conveys irrigation fluid to the perforations. A conductive coil electrode, typically having the form and resilience of a helical spring, is fitted over and fixed to the probe at the desired electrode location. This coil electrode is connected to one or more wires running through the probe, which may be used, for example, to provide RF electrical energy to the coil for ablation therapy. Although the placement of the coil electrode will typically cover some of the perforations in the wall of the probe, other perforations, in the gaps between the turns of the coil, remain uncovered. During operation, these open perforations provide irrigation throughout the treatment area. 
     The design described above and shown in the figures that follow is easy and inexpensive to manufacture. It provides the benefits achieved by a perforated, irrigated electrode, while avoiding the difficulty and costs of actually creating the perforations in the electrode. This sort of electrode structure can be used in creating multiple ring electrodes along the length of a catheter or other structure, such as lasso. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic, pictorial illustration of a system  20  for cardiac ablation therapy, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. An operator  26  inserts a catheter  28  through a blood vessel into a chamber of a heart  24  of a subject  22 , and manipulates the catheter so that a distal portion  32  of the catheter contacts the endocardium in an area that is to be treated. The distal portion of the catheter is perforated to enable irrigation of the treatment area, as shown and described hereinbelow. In other respects, however, system  20  resembles systems for cardiac ablation treatment that are known in the art, such as the above-mentioned Biosense Webster system, and the components of such systems may be adapted for use in system  20 . 
     After positioning distal portion  32  of catheter  28  at an ablation site, and ensuring that an electrode on the distal portion (as shown below) is in contact with the endocardium at the site, operator  26  actuates a radio frequency (RF) energy generator  44  in a control console  42  to supply RF energy via a cable  38  to the electrode. Meanwhile, an irrigation pump  48  supplies a cooling fluid, such as saline solution, via a tube  40  and a lumen in catheter  28  to the distal portion. Operation of the RF energy generator and the irrigation pump may be coordinated in order to give the appropriate volume of irrigation during ablation, so as to cool the electrode and the tissue without overloading the heart with irrigation fluid. A temperature sensor (not shown in the figures) in distal portion  32  may provide feedback to console  42  for use in controlling the RF energy dosage and/or irrigation volume. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic side view of a portion of an insertion tube  50  of catheter  28 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The figure shows the distal portion of the insertion tube at a stage of manufacturing before assembly of an electrode onto distal portion  32 . Tube  50  typically comprises a suitable biocompatible plastic, such as polyurethane, which is typically about 2.3 mm in diameter, with a wall thickness of about 0.15 mm. These dimensions, however, are given solely by way of illustration, and larger or smaller dimensions may be used depending on application requirements. 
     The outer surface of the distal portion of tube  50  is penetrated by multiple perforations  52 , which are distributed over the surface of the distal tip both longitudinally (i.e., along the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of catheter  28 ) and circumferentially (along circumferences around the axis). The perforations may be formed in tube  50  by any suitable method known in the art, such as pre-molding of the perforations at the time of fabrication of the tube, or punching or drilling (by laser or mechanical means) the perforations into the tube after extrusion. 
     Distal portion  32  contains an interior reservoir  56 , which is fed with irrigation fluid by a lumen  58  inside tube  50 . Perforations  52  extend between reservoir  56  and the outer surface of tube  50 . In the embodiment shown in the figures, reservoir  56  has an inner surface  54 , which may be formed, for example, by a fitting a tube of smaller diameter inside tube  50 . Alternatively, the reservoir may occupy the entire interior space at the distal tip of tube  50 , which may then be closed off by a plug (not shown) proximal to the distal tip, through which lumen  58  feeds. Alternative reservoir configurations will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. 
     Typically, tube  50  has at least eight perforations, which are less than 0.5 mm in diameter, in order to distribute the irrigation over the area of distal portion  32  both longitudinally and circumferentially without overloading the heart with the cooling fluid. The inventors have found it advantageous, however, to have at least fifty perforations in the distal portion, with diameters no greater than 0.2 mm, and possibly as small as about 0.1 mm. The sizes of the perforations may optionally be varied over the length of the distal tip to compensate for pressure variation and ensure equal flow over the entire length. For this purpose, the perforations at and near the most distal part of the tip may be made larger than the more proximal perforations, which are nearer to the fluid inlet. 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic side view of a coil electrode  60 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. This electrode is fitted over tube  50 , as shown in the figures that follow. Electrode  60  typically comprises a resilient, biocompatible conductive material, such as gold, platinum or iridium wire, or an alloy of such metals. The coil electrode may comprise a wire, which is wound into a helical coil, as shown in the figure, resembling a coil spring. Alternatively, the coil electrode may be made from a tube, which is cut out along a spiral pattern to create a helical shape, using laser cutting, for example. The coil electrode has an inner diameter equal to or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of tube  50 , so that the coil will fit snugly over the tube. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , which schematically show distal portion  32  of catheter  28 , made by fitting coil electrode  60  over tube  50 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 4  is a side view, while  FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line marked V-V in  FIG. 4 . Electrode  60  is slid to the desired location on tube  50 , and is then glued or otherwise fastened in place. One or more wires  62  inside tube  50  penetrate through the outer surface of the tube (possibly through one of perforations  52 ) and are soldered or otherwise bonded to electrode  60 . Any suitable technique that is known in the art for electrical coupling to ring electrodes may similarly be used for this purpose. Wires  62  run through to the proximal end of catheter  28 , where they connect via cable  38  to RF energy generator  44  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     As can be seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , when electrode  60  is fastened over tube  50 , it covers some of the perforations (marked  52 B in  FIG. 5 ). A sufficient number of the perforations (marked  52 A) remain open, however, to provide adequate irrigation of the area contacted by the electrode. This arrangement is advantageous in that it obviates the need for high positional precision in forming perforations  52  in tube  50  and in placing electrode  60  on the tube. During the ablation procedure, lumen  58  ( FIG. 2 ) conveys fluid from irrigation pump  48  ( FIG. 1 ) to reservoir  56 . The fluid exits tube  50  through perforations  52 A to the surrounding tissue while electrode  60  delivers the RF energy in order to ablate the tissue. 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic side view of a lasso catheter  70  with coil electrodes  76 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The lasso catheter insertion tube is formed to define a shaft  72  with a distal portion  74  having a roughly circular lasso shape. This sort of lasso shape can be used, for example, in ablating myocardial tissue along a circular path around the ostia of the pulmonary veins in treatment of atrial fibrillation. 
     In order to ablate multiple locations simultaneously along the desired path, electrodes  76  are distributed around the circumference of distal portion  74 . Each electrode is slid into place, fastened, and connected electrically to wires inside catheter  70  in the manner described above. Distal portion  74  may also have perforations (not shown in this figure) for the purpose of irrigation, as in catheter  28 . Multiple coil electrodes may likewise be distributed along the length of catheters of other types, as well as on other sorts of tubular probes. 
     Although the embodiments described above relate specifically to catheters used in RF ablation treatment within the heart, the principles of the present invention may similarly be applied to other organs and in other types of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, particularly procedures that involve application of energy to body tissues. For example, a device with a similar sort of irrigated tip may be used in therapies that involve microwave-based or ultrasonic tissue heating. As another example, coil electrodes of the type described above may also be used without irrigation on catheters and tubular probes of other types. 
     It will thus be appreciated that the embodiments described above are cited by way of example, and that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather, the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the various features described hereinabove, as well as variations and modifications thereof which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description and which are not disclosed in the prior art.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0