US 11,744,639 B2
Ablation catheters
Amr Salahieh, Saratoga, CA (US); Jonah Lepak, Santa Cruz, CA (US); Emma Lepak, Santa Cruz, CA (US); Brian D. Brandt, Morgan Hill, CA (US); John P. Claude, Redwood City, CA (US); and TOm Saul, Moss Beach, CA (US)
Assigned to SHIFAMED HOLDINGS LLC, Campbell, CA (US)
Filed by Shifamed Holdings, LLC, Campbell, CA (US)
Filed on Apr. 9, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/379,140.
Application 16/379,140 is a continuation of application No. 15/640,306, filed on Jun. 30, 2017, granted, now 10,251,700.
Application 15/640,306 is a continuation of application No. 15/339,724, filed on Oct. 31, 2016, granted, now 9,795,442, issued on Oct. 24, 2017.
Application 15/339,724 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/943,633, filed on Jul. 16, 2013, granted, now 9,610,006, issued on Apr. 4, 2017.
Application 13/943,633 is a continuation of application No. 13/106,658, filed on May 12, 2011, granted, now 8,805,466, issued on Aug. 12, 2014.
Application 13/106,658 is a continuation in part of application No. 12/616,758, filed on Nov. 11, 2009, granted, now 8,295,902, issued on Oct. 23, 2012.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/334,154, filed on May 12, 2010.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/253,683, filed on Oct. 21, 2009.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/232,756, filed on Aug. 10, 2009.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/179,654, filed on May 19, 2009.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/160,204, filed on Mar. 13, 2009.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/113,228, filed on Nov. 11, 2008.
Prior Publication US 2020/0069364 A1, Mar. 5, 2020
Int. Cl. A61B 18/12 (2006.01); A61B 18/14 (2006.01); A61B 5/00 (2006.01); A61N 1/05 (2006.01); A61M 25/01 (2006.01); A61M 25/10 (2013.01); A61B 1/00 (2006.01); A61B 1/06 (2006.01); A61B 5/287 (2021.01); A61B 18/00 (2006.01); A61N 5/02 (2006.01); A61B 5/01 (2006.01); A61B 18/18 (2006.01); A61M 25/04 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 17/22 (2006.01); A61B 18/02 (2006.01); A61M 25/06 (2006.01); A61B 90/00 (2016.01); A61B 34/20 (2016.01)
CPC A61B 18/1492 (2013.01) [A61B 1/00082 (2013.01); A61B 1/00179 (2013.01); A61B 1/0623 (2013.01); A61B 5/287 (2021.01); A61B 5/6853 (2013.01); A61B 5/6858 (2013.01); A61B 18/1206 (2013.01); A61M 25/0147 (2013.01); A61M 25/1011 (2013.01); A61N 1/05 (2013.01); A61B 1/0684 (2013.01); A61B 5/01 (2013.01); A61B 5/6843 (2013.01); A61B 5/6855 (2013.01); A61B 18/1815 (2013.01); A61B 34/20 (2016.02); A61B 2017/003 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00867 (2013.01); A61B 2017/22038 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00011 (2013.01); A61B 2018/0016 (2013.01); A61B 2018/0022 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00023 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00029 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00077 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00083 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00178 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00214 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00232 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00238 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00267 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00285 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00291 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00351 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00357 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00363 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00375 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00577 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00613 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00642 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00702 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00714 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00744 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00791 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00797 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00839 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00898 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00982 (2013.01); A61B 2018/0212 (2013.01); A61B 2018/0262 (2013.01); A61B 2018/124 (2013.01); A61B 2018/126 (2013.01); A61B 2018/1405 (2013.01); A61B 2018/1465 (2013.01); A61B 2018/1467 (2013.01); A61B 2090/065 (2016.02); A61B 2090/3966 (2016.02); A61B 2217/007 (2013.01); A61B 2218/002 (2013.01); A61B 2218/007 (2013.01); A61B 2562/04 (2013.01); A61B 2562/125 (2013.01); A61B 2562/164 (2013.01); A61M 25/0108 (2013.01); A61M 25/0133 (2013.01); A61M 25/04 (2013.01); A61M 25/10 (2013.01); A61M 2025/0681 (2013.01); A61M 2025/105 (2013.01); A61M 2025/1068 (2013.01); A61N 5/02 (2013.01); C08L 2201/12 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A cardiac tissue ablation apparatus comprising:
an elongate member;
a membrane forming an inflatable balloon having a proximal region and a distal region, the proximal region attached to the distal portion of the elongate member, the distal region terminating at a balloon distal end;
a shaft having a guidewire lumen and a longitudinal axis extending through the elongate member and the balloon, the shaft having a distal region secured directly or indirectly to the distal region of the balloon;
an electrode assembly comprising:
a plurality of flexible branches attached to an outer surface of the balloon, the flexible branches extending from the balloon distal end to the proximal region of the balloon; and
a plurality of ablation electrodes, each one of the plurality of ablation electrodes carried by one of the plurality of branches; and
a mapping catheter extendable through the guidewire lumen, the mapping catheter including a loop portion including a plurality of mapping electrodes, the mapping catheter being configured so that the loop portion can be located distally of the balloon distal end in use,
wherein each of the plurality of ablation electrodes has a proximal end and a distal end, wherein each of the plurality of ablation electrodes has a width that increases from the proximal end to a greatest width and then decreases from the greatest width to the distal end, wherein the decrease in width of the ablation electrode from the greatest width to the distal end is more gradual than is the increase in the width from the proximal end to the greatest width, wherein a length of each of the plurality of ablation electrodes from the greatest width to the distal end is greater than a length of the ablation electrode from the proximal end to the greatest width.