Percutaneous catheter and guidewire for filtering during ablation of myocardial or vascular tissue

Abstract

An ablation catheter system for capturing and removing necrotic tissue and thrombi generated during an ablative procedure is disclosed. The catheter typically includes an elongate member, a filtration assembly disposed within the distal region, and an ablation instrument at the distal end. Alternatively, the ablation instrument is carried on the distal end of an ablation catheter, which is disposed within a lumen of the catheter system. The catheter may further include an aspiration port and lumen. Methods of using the devices in preventing distal embolization during ablative procedures are disclosed.

1 . (canceled)  
   
   
       2 . A percutaneous guidance catheter system, comprising: 
 an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a first lumen therebetween;    a steerable ablation catheter, having an ablation means for ablating ectopic foci disposed at its distal end, inserted within the lumen of the elongate member; and    an expandable filter mounted on a distal region of the elongate member, wherein during use, the filter is expanded to capture necrosed tissue particles generated during the ablation.    
   
   
       3 . The catheter of  claim 2 , wherein the means for ablating ectopic foci include a thermal ablation device.  
   
   
       4 . The catheter of  claim 2 , wherein the means for ablating ectopic foci include a laser ablation device.  
   
   
       5 . The catheter of  claim 2 , wherein the means for ablating ectopic foci include a microwave ablation device.  
   
   
       6 . The catheter of  claim 2 , wherein the filter surrounds the ablation instrument.  
   
   
       7 . The catheter of  claim 2 , wherein the filter is disposed proximal the ablation instrument.  
   
   
       8 . The catheter of  claim 7 , wherein the filter has a proximal edge circumferentially in contact with an outer surface of the elongate member, and a distal edge which expands radially outward.  
   
   
       9 . The catheter of  claim 2 , wherein the catheter includes a second lumen communicating with an aspiration port.  
   
   
       10 . The catheter of  claim 9 , wherein the proximal end of the catheter is adapted for attachment to a vacuum.  
   
   
       11 . The catheter of  claim 2 , wherein the filter may be a basket.  
   
   
       12 . A method for ablation of ectopic foci, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therebetween;    providing a steerable ablation catheter, having an ablation means for ablating ectopic foci disposed at its distal end, inserted within the lumen of the elongate member;    providing an expandable filter mounted on a distal region of the elongate member;    inserting the catheter into a vessel;    expanding the filter to capture necrosed tissue particles generated during the ablation;    steering the ablation means of the steerable catheter adjacent the ectopic foci; and    ablating the ectopic foci, wherein necrosed tissue particles generated during ablation are captured by the filter.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , further including repositioning the ablation means with respect to the expanded filter while the expanded filter remains in place.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein steering the ablation means of the steerable catheter adjacent the ectopic foci occurs before expanding the filter to capture necrosed tissue particles generated during the ablation.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the ectopic foci are located in the left atrium.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the ectopic foci are located in the right atrium.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the ectopic foci are located in the pulmonary vein.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the ablation means is a thermal ablation device.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the ablation means is a laser ablation device.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the ablation means is a microwave ablation device.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the filter surrounds the ablation instrument.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the filter has a proximal edge circumferentially in contact with an outer surface of the catheter, and a distal edge which expands radially outward.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the catheter is inserted into the femoral artery.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the catheter is inserted into the right subclavian artery.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the catheter is inserted into the left subclavian artery.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the catheter is inserted into the femoral vein.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the catheter is inserted into the subclavian vein.