Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A catheter device for creating linear lesions in endocardial tissue or other body tissue is described. The catheter includes an inner shaft telescopically received within an outer shaft. The inner shaft has one or more spaced apart electrodes along its distal section. The outer shaft member includes a fluid permeable window positionable to selectively overlay some or all of the electrodes when the relative positioning of the inner and outer shaft members is adjusted. During use, the window is positioned adjacent to the body tissue which is to be ablated and at least a portion of the electrodes are exposed through the window. RF energy is delivered to the electrodes while saline or other conductive fluid is simultaneously delivered through the infusion tube. The conductive fluid passes into contact with the electrodes, and through the window into contact with the body tissue, thereby improving the coupling of the RF energy from the electrodes to the tissue and improving the efficiency of the ablation of the tissue.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim