Cardiac ablation devices and methods

Abstract

Devices and methods provide for ablation of cardiac tissue for treating cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation. Although the devices and methods are often be used to ablate epicardial tissue in the vicinity of at least one pulmonary vein, various embodiments may be used to ablate other cardiac tissues in other locations on a heart. Devices generally include at least one tissue contacting member for contacting epicardial tissue and securing the ablation device to the epicardial tissue, and at least one ablation member for ablating the tissue. Various embodiments include features, such as suction apertures, which enable the device to attach to the epicardial surface with sufficient strength to allow the tissue to be stabilized via the device. For example, some embodiments may be used to stabilize a beating heart to enable a beating heart ablation procedure. Many of the devices may be introduced into a patient via minimally invasive introducer devices and the like. Although devices and methods of the invention may be used to ablate epicardial tissue to treat atrial fibrillation, they may also be used in veterinary or research contexts, to treat various heart conditions other than atrial fibrillation and/or to ablate cardiac tissue other than the epicardium.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An ablation system for ablating heart tissue on a heart of a patient to treat a cardiac arrhythmia, the ablation system comprising:
 at least one tissue contacting member having at least one tissue contacting surface for contacting the heart tissue;   at least one suction aperture disposed along at least part of the tissue contacting surface for applying a suction force to secure the ablation device to the heart tissue;   at least one ablation member removably coupled with the tissue contacting member for ablating the heart tissue to reduce or eliminate the cardiac arrhythmia; and   at least one energy source for providing energy to the ablation member.   
     
     
         2 . The ablation system of  claim 1 , wherein said energy source further comprises apparatus for recognizing the ablation device coupled to the energy source. 
     
     
         3 . The ablation system of  claim 1 , wherein the suction force applied through the at least one suction aperture is sufficient to stabilize the heart while it is beating. 
     
     
         4 . The ablation system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tissue contacting member comprises a flexible elongate body comprising a plurality of suction pods connected by flexible joining members. 
     
     
         5 . The ablation system of  claim 1 , wherein the tissue contact member comprises a single elongated suction pod. 
     
     
         6 . The ablation system of  claim 1 , wherein the ablation device is introducible into the patient through a minimally invasive introducer device. 
     
     
         7 . The ablation system of  claim 1 , wherein the ablation device is collapsed for introduction into the patient, and reverts to a predetermined shape upon release inside the patient. 
     
     
         8 . The ablation system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one visualization member comprises at least one of an optic imaging device, a thermal imaging device, an ultrasound device, an electrical imaging device and a Doppler imaging device. 
     
     
         9 . The ablation system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one needle coupled with the energy transmission member for insertion into the heart tissue to enhance the application of energy to the heart tissue. 
     
     
         10 . The ablation system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one needle on the ablation device coupled with the therapeutic agent transmission member for insertion into the heart tissue to enhance application of the at least one therapeutic agent to the heart tissue. 
     
     
         11 . The ablation system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one needle on the ablation device for delivering medium to enhance application of ablation energy. 
     
     
         12 . The ablation system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one needle coupled to a sensor on the ablation device. 
     
     
         13 . The ablation system of  claim 1 , wherein the ablation member may be moved within the tissue contacting member to provide ablation energy at more than one location under the tissue contacting member. 
     
     
         14 . The ablation system of  claim 1 , wherein the ablation member may be positioned at least partly outside the tissue contacting member to apply ablation energy outside of the tissue contacting member. 
     
     
         15 . The ablation system of  claim 1 , further comprising features for grasping an ablation member on an outside surface of the tissue contacting member to apply ablation energy outside of the tissue contacting member. 
     
     
         16 . The ablation system of  claim 1 , further comprising a fluid gradient in the heart tissue created by the suction, whereby the fluid gradient increases ablation energy transmission. 
     
     
         17 . The ablation system of  claim 1 , wherein the tissue contacting member comprises a material including one or more of the characteristics from the group consisting of: electrically insulating, thermally insulating, sufficient flexibility for remote advancement via torturous pathways, shape memory, translucent or transparent, and lubricious. 
     
     
         18 . The ablation system of  claim 1 , wherein the tissue contacting member is configured to visibly collapse when suction creates a desired vacuum level, whereby the user can confirm 
     
     
         19 . The ablation system of claim  98 , wherein the ablation device includes a plurality of electrodes, and wherein the energy source includes less electrodes than the ablation device. 
     
     
         20 . The ablation system of claim  98 , wherein the ablation device includes at least two plugs, with each plug providing power to a subset of the plurality of electrodes on the ablation device.