Adaptable device for electrically isolating pulmonary veins in atrial fibrillation

摘要

Device for electrically isolating the pulmonary veins in atrial fibrillation for treatment thereof by means of ablation of a circumferential zone of tissue in a position where a pulmonary vein extends from an atrium, comprising: a catheter (1) having a terminal part and a distal part and comprising a first tubular element (2); a second tubular element (4) concentric with said first tubular element (2) and an axial rod-like element (6) which extends beyond the distal end of said first and second tubular elements (2; 4); a first tubular toroidal element (13) supported by a plurality of tubular arms (11) which extend from said distal end towards said toroidal element (13) forming a kind of cage which can be opened in umbrella fashion around the distal end of said catheter (1), said tubular arms (11) and said toroidal element (13) being in fluid communication with each other and with said second tubular element (4) of said catheter (1); and a second toroidal tubular element (9) in fluid communication by means of the radial arms (8) with said first tubular element (2) of said catheter (1), all of which so that in a first operating condition said first and second toroidal elements (13; 9) with the associated tubular arms (11) are deflated and made to adhere to said distal end of the catheter; in a second operating condition said distal end of the catheter is inserted inside the orifice of a pulmonary vein (18) and a fluid is pumped into said first toroidal element (13) and into said arms (11) so as to position said arms against the orifice of the said pulmonary vein (18); and in the third operating condition an ablation element is introduced and/or activated inside said second toroidal element (9), inflating it and bringing it into contact with the orifice (18") of the said pulmonary vein (18) for ablation of a circular zone of tissue around the orifice of the said vein.