APPARATUS AND METHODS RELATED TO SELECTIVE THERMAL INSULATION OF CRYOGENIC BALLOONS FOR LIMITED CRYOGENIC ABLATION OF VESSEL WALLS

摘要

Embodiments related to cryogenically ablating a vessel wall in a partial circumferential, non-continuous, or helical ablation pattern are disclosed. A catheter is disclosed that includes a cryoballoon for ablation of the vessel wall. A radially expandable insulative element is disposed over the cryoballoon to shield non-targeted tissue of the vessel wall from the cryoballoon and prevent ablation of the non-targeted tissue. Partial circumferential, non-continuous, and helical ablation can be effective for treating a variety of renal, cardio-renal, and other diseases including but not limited to hypertension, heart failure, renal disease, renal failure, contrast nephropathy, arrhythmia, and myocardial infarction. The insulative element may be, for example, a sheath component having opening(s) formed therethrough or may be an outer balloon within which the cryoballoon is disposed.