Method and Apparatus for Tissue Ablation

Abstract

A method for ablation in which a portion of atrial tissue around the pulmonary veins of the heart is ablated by a first elongated ablation component and a second elongated ablation component movable relative to the first ablation component and having means for magnetically attracting the first and second components toward one another. The magnetic means draw the first and second components toward one another to compress the atrial tissue therebetween, along the length of the first and second components and thereby position the device for ablation of the tissue.

1 . A method of ablating organ tissue, the method comprising:
 advancing a distal portion of a first elongated catheter through a patient's vascular system into a hollow organ, the first catheter distal portion having a first electrode and a first magnet;   advancing a distal portion of a second elongated catheter through the patient's vascular system into the hollow organ, the second catheter distal portion having a second electrode and a second magnet, wherein the first and second magnets interact with each other to arrange the first and second catheter distal portions on opposite sides of the hollow organ and to hold the first and second electrodes against the tissue of the hollow organ; and   applying ablation energy to the organ tissue via at least one of the first and second electrodes.   
     
     
         2 . The tissue ablation method as in  claim 1  wherein the opposite sides of the hollow organ are disposed adjacent an opening into the hollow organ. 
     
     
         3 . A method of ablating tissue, the method comprising:
 receiving first and second elongated ablation components, each of the component having a distally located means for delivery of ablation energy and a distally located magnet;   percutaneously introducing both the first and second ablation components into the vascular system of a patient;   navigating both the first and second ablation components to a hollow organ of the patient;   allowing the magnets of the first and second components to cooperate in order to assist in aligning both of the means for delivery of ablation energy relative to one another on opposite sides of the hollow organ and to assure contact between the means for delivery of ablation energy and the tissue of the hollow organ; and   applying ablation energy to the tissue of the hollow organ.   
     
     
         4 . The tissue ablation method as in  claim 3  wherein the cooperation of the magnets of the first and second components is a magnetic force. 
     
     
         5 . The tissue ablation method as in  claim 3  wherein the first and second elongated ablation components are catheters. 
     
     
         6 . The tissue ablation method as in  claim 3  wherein the means for delivery of ablation energy is an electrode. 
     
     
         7 . The tissue ablation method as in  claim 3  wherein the means for delivery of ablation energy is a microwave antenna. 
     
     
         8 . The tissue ablation method as in  claim 3  wherein the means for delivery of ablation energy is a cooling element to provide for cryo-ablation. 
     
     
         9 . The tissue ablation method as in  claim 3  wherein the distally located magnet is a rare earth magnet. 
     
     
         10 . The tissue ablation method as in  claim 3  wherein the distally located magnet is an electromagnet.