Importance

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Abstract

A balloon catheter is provided that includes a catheter shaft constructed for insertion into a blood vessel, an inflatable balloon mounted on a distal portion of the catheter shaft, a heating device mounted on the distal portion of the catheter arranged for heating tissue in contact with the balloon while the balloon is inflated, and an ablation electrode. The catheter shaft and the balloon are sized and constructed to permit the distal portion of the catheter shaft to be inserted into an atrium or ventricle of a heart while the balloon is deflated. The distal portion of the catheter is positioned within the atrium or ventricle and adjacent to a wall of the atrium or ventricle. The balloon is inflated with fluid while the balloon is within the atrium or ventricle, and while the balloon is inflated it is engaged in direct contact with a wall of the atrium or ventricle. Tissue surrounding the balloon is heated through use of the heating device while the balloon is inflated. In one embodiment the balloon disposed is annularly around a distal tip of the catheter shaft, and the electrode is located on the distal tip of the catheter for directly contacting tissue while the balloon is pressed against the tissue in an axial direction. In other embodiments, a suction port is located at the distal tip of the catheter, and a tissue-engagement device surrounds the distal port and is constructed to engage tissue with suction when the port is placed adjacent to the tissue.

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First Claim