System for assessing effects of ablation therapy on cardiac tissue using photoacoustics

摘要

A catheter, system and method for assessing effects of ablation therapy on tissue are provided. Various embodiments includes an emitter such as an optic fiber disposed within a sheath, echographic probe or catheter shaft that emits electromagnetic radiation through an opening in the shaft towards the tissue to cause generation of a photoacoustic wave from the tissue. An ultrasound transducer disposed on an echographic probe or catheter shaft generates a signal indicative of a characteristic of the tissue responsive to the photoacoustic wave. In certain embodiments, the emitter and transducer are carried by a separate sheath and echographic probe, respectively. In other embodiments, the emitter is disposed within the shaft of the echographic probe. In still other embodiments, the emitter, transducer and an ablation delivery element are integrated into a single structure to permit both ablation of the tissue and assessment of the effects of the ablation on the tissue.

主权项

1. A system for assessing effects of ablation therapy on tissue in a body resulting from application of ablation energy to the tissue by an ablation catheter, comprising:
a sheath assembly, comprising:
an elongate deformable shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; and,an electromagnetic radiation emitter disposed within said shaft, said emitter configured to emit electromagnetic radiation through an opening in said shaft towards the tissue to thereby cause generation of a photoacoustic wave from the tissue; an echographic probe, comprising:
an elongate deformable shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; and,an ultrasound transducer disposed at the distal end of said shaft of said echographic probe and configured to generate a signal indicative of a characteristic of the tissue responsive to the photoacoustic wave.