RADIO-FREQUENCY BASED CATHETER SYSTEM AND HOLLOW CO-AXIAL CABLE FOR ABLATION OF BODY TISSUES

摘要

An improved radio frequency catheter system for ablating biological tissues of body vessel in a patient including a catheter (3), a deployable antenna guide (36) disposed at the distal portion of the catheter, and a radio-frequency ("RF") antenna (54) mounted on the antenna guide. The RF antenna includes an axial passageway to accommodate the antenna guide, is adapted to receive, and transmit RF energy for tissue ablation. Upon deployment, the antenna guide acquires a loop configuration which establishes line contact with the body vessel conformable to its internal contour to prescribe the precise, and affixed tissue ablation pathway despite body vessel movements. The RF antenna is carried by the antenna guide to be deployed along the established tissue ablation pathway. Alignment of the loop with the desired tissue ablation pathway is facilitated with the use of radiopaque markers, and intra-cardiac electrodes mounted along the antenna guide. The catheter, as well as the antenna, can be provided with steering or deflection mechanism for navigation through the body vessel passageways. A hollow coaxial cable is provided for the delivery of RF energy.