Electrical Block Positioning Devices And Methods Of Use therefor

Abstract

The present invention provides positioning mechanisms for devices that cause conduction blocks or ablation in desired areas of tissue. The positioning mechanisms allow for variable geometry of the target sites and enable more accurate therapy at the tissue site.

1 . A method of creating a conduction block within a body comprising: 
 providing a treatment device comprising a plurality of anchoring members, at least some of said plurality of anchoring members being connected to each other with an associated connective element;    positioning said treatment device adjacent to a target tissue area within a body;    directing said anchoring members into a tissue of said target tissue area;    contacting each connective element associated with said anchoring members against said target tissue area; and    allowing said anchoring members and each associated connective element to induce a healing response in said target tissue area within said body so as to form a conduction block in said target tissue area.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the providing of a treatment device includes providing a treatment device wherein said plurality of anchoring members and said associated connective element form a substantially circular treatment device.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein prior to positioning said treatment device adjacent to a target tissue area said treatment device is loaded into a delivery device and wherein said positioning of said treatment device includes expanding a plurality of arms of said delivery device such that said plurality of arms place said anchoring members adjacent said target tissue.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said directing said anchoring members into a tissue includes urging each of said plurality of anchoring members into said target tissue with said plurality of arms of said delivery device.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said directing said anchoring members into a tissue of said target tissue area includes piercing said target tissue with said anchoring members.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said allowing said anchoring members and each associated connective element to induce a healing response in said target tissue includes allowing said anchoring members and each associated connective element to induce ablation of said target tissue.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the target tissue area includes a path around an ostium of a pulmonary vein.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said connective element is a tether.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said connective element is comprised of an ablation-causing material.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said ablation-causing material is selected from a group consisting of: polyorthoesters, polycaprolactone, and copper.  
   
   
       11 . A method of reducing conduction pathways in heart tissue comprising: 
 piercing target heart tissue with a plurality of pins so as to anchor said pins in said target heart tissue;    contacting a tether linking each of said pins together to target heart tissue between each of said pins; and,    allowing said pins and said tether to induce a healing response on said target heart tissue until a substantially continuous line of electrical block is formed by said pins and said tether in said target heart tissue.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein prior to said piercing, said pins and said tether are delivered to said target heart tissue with a delivery device.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said piercing said target heart tissue with a plurality of pins includes urging arm members of said delivery device against said plurality of pins so that said plurality of pins pierce said target heart tissue.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said piercing said target heart tissue with said plurality of pins comprises urging said plurality of pins into heart tissue surrounding an ostium of a pulmonary vein.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said contacting a tether to target heart tissue between each of said pins includes contacting a tether comprised of an ablative material to said target heart tissue.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the forming of a substantially continuous line of electrical block comprising generating a continuous line of electrical block around an ostium of a pulmonary vein.  
   
   
       17 . A device for causing ablation within tissue comprising: 
 a plurality of pins, each of said pins having a first end shaped to pierce a target tissue;    an elongated flexible member coupling each of said pins together; and, said elongated flexible member comprised of a material that causes a healing response in tissue.    
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein said elongated flexible member couples said pins together so as to form a generally circular shape.  
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein said elongated flexible couples said pins together so as to form a shape that at least partially encircles an ostium of a pulmonary vein.  
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein said plurality of pins and said elongate flexible member combine to generate a substantially continuous line of electrical block in said tissue.