PHOTODYNAMIC-BASED CARDIAC ABLATION DEVICE AND METHOD

摘要

A method and system for ablation of cardiac tissue in a living being via the esophagus is provided. The method includes the step of introducing a photodynamic substance to the cardiac tissue. A deformable, elongated body (16) defining a proximal end (22) and a distal end (24) is inserted into an esophagus (36) of the living being. The distal end (24) of the elongated body (16) is located proximate the cardiac tissue (12). A first set of electromagnetic radiation is then directed from the distal end (24) of the elongated body (16) towards the cardiac tissue (12). Reflective and opaque surfaces (42, 44) at the distal end (24) of the elongated body (16) may be used to direct the electromagnetic radiation and an expandable membrane (38) at the distal end (24) may be used to urge the distal end of the elongated body (16) to a predetermined position within the esophagus (36).