Irrigated finned ablation head

摘要

An irrigated finned ablation head that provides enhanced cooling. The irrigated finned ablation head comprises a plurality of radial fins that are distributed about a central axis and that extend axially from a common base. The plurality of fins are arranged to define a central passageway along the central axis, as well as a plurality of slots therebetween, the slots extending in an axial direction along the irrigated finned ablation head. In one embodiment, the central passageway extends through the irrigated finned ablation head, defining an opening at the distal extremity, with the slots extending from the base to the opening. In another embodiment, the irrigated finned ablation head includes a cap portion at a distal portion that is common to all the radial fins, so that the slots are terminated at the distal portion of the irrigated finned ablation head. The radial flow distribution along the central axis can be tailored by the configuration of the central passageway.

主权项

1. A catheter-based RF ablation system, comprising:
a flexible elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end; an irrigated finned ablation head operatively coupled with said distal end of said flexible elongate body, said irrigated finned ablation head including a plurality of axially extending radial fins uniformly distributed about a central longitudinal axis to define a plurality of slots therebetween, said plurality of axially extending radial fins extending longitudinally from a base portion of the irrigated finned ablation head to a distal-most tip of the irrigated finned ablation head and defining a central passageway that extends at least partway into said irrigated finned ablation head, said plurality of slots being in fluid communication with said central passageway, said central passageway including a proximal portion that defines a first diameter, said irrigated finned ablation head having an overall length dimension along said central longitudinal axis, said irrigated finned ablation head being adapted to contact a target tissue, said plurality of axially extending radial fins defining an exterior surface of said irrigated finned ablation head, each of the plurality of slots being axially-elongated and extending along an entirety of the central longitudinal axis from the base portion of the irrigated finned ablation head to the distal-most tip of the irrigated finned ablation head; wherein each of the plurality of slots extend between the central passageway and the exterior surface of the irrigated finned ablation head along the entirety of the central longitudinal axis from the base portion of the irrigated finned ablation head to the distal-most tip of the irrigated finned ablation head, wherein a width of each of the plurality of slots is less than a length of each of the plurality of slots extending along the central longitudinal axis; a power supply line operatively coupled with said irrigated finned ablation head, said power supply line extending through said flexible elongate body and exiting said proximal end of said flexible elongate body; a power source operatively coupled with said power supply line; and a fluid supply line in fluid communication with said central passageway, said fluid supply line extending through said flexible elongate body and exiting said proximal end of said flexible elongate body, wherein the fluid supply line is configured to be coupled with an irrigation source.