US5431649A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for R-F ablation
Assignee: DUTHLER REED A
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Filing: 1993-08-27
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Granted: 1995-07-11
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Expires: 2013-08-27
Abstract
Abstract An ablation catheter and a method of performing cardiac ablation. The catheter is provided with a hollow, helical electrode, which is screwed into cardiac tissue at a desired ablation site and connected to a source of R-F electrical energy to ablate the tissue adjacent the electrode. Prior to ablation, a conductive fluid may be injected through the hollow needle, both to provide for cooling of the tissue adjacent the needle and to increase the conductivity of the tissue in the area of the electrode.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter M. J. Mulier
- 👤 Michael F. Hoey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:59
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1477; A61B18/1492; A61B10/00; A61B10/02; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022; A61B2017/00084; A61B2017/00092; A61B2017/00097; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00274; A61B2017/00292; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22072; A61B2017/22074; A61B2017/22077; A61B2018/00005; A61B2018/00011; A61B2018/00023; A61B2018/00029; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00059; A61B2018/00065; A61B2018/00214; A61B2018/0022; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00345; A61B2018/00351; A61B2018/00452; A61B2018/00476; A61B2018/00547; A61B2018/00571; A61B2018/00577; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00791; A61B2018/00821; A61B18/1206; A61B2018/1246; A61B2018/1253; A61B2018/126; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/1425; A61B2018/1435; A61B2018/1472; A61B90/00; A61B90/06; A61B2090/064; A61B90/39; A61B2090/3925; A61B2218/00; A61B2218/001; A61B2218/002; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/0067; A61M25/0082; A61M25/0084; A61M2025/0089; A61M2230/00; A61M2230/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
An ablation catheter system, comprising: an elongated catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end and an internal longitudinal lumen; an elongated electrical conductor, mounted within said catheter body; a hollow helical conductive needle mounted to the proximal end of said catheter body and having an internal lumen coupled to the internal lumen of said catheter body, said hollow needle coupled to said electrical conductor; fluid delivery means coupled to the internal lumen of said catheter body for delivering a conductive fluid to said internal lumen of said catheter body; and a source of R-F electrical energy, coupled to said electrical conductor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
An ablation catheter system, comprising: an elongated catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end and an internal longitudinal lumen; an elongated electrical conductor, mounted within said catheter body; a hollow helical conductive needle mounted to the proximal end of said catheter body and having an internal lumen coupled to the internal lumen of said catheter body, said hollow needle coupled to said electrical conductor; fluid delivery means coupled to the internal lumen of said catheter body for delivering a conductive fluid to said internal lumen of said catheter body; and a source of R-F electrical energy, coupled to said electrical conductor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A catheter system according to claim 1 wherein said conductive fluid delivering means comprises means for delivering Ringer's solution.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A catheter system according to claim 1 wherein said conductive fluid delivering means comprises a reservoir containing said conductive fluid and a means for controlling fluid flow.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A catheter system according to claim 1 wherein said catheter body comprises a torque transfer cable, extending longitudinally along said catheter body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A catheter system according to claim 1 wherein said catheter comprises a conductive torque transfer cable, extending longitudinally along said catheter body, coupled to said hollow needle and to said source of R-F electrical energy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A catheter system according to claim 1 wherein said catheter comprises a conductive tube, extending longitudinally along said catheter body, coupled to said hollow needle and to said source of R-F electrical energy.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A catheter system according to claim 1 wherein said catheter comprises a plastic tube, extending longitudinally along said catheter body, coupled to said hollow needle and to said fluid delivery means.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of catheter ablation, comprising: advancing an elongated catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, an internal longitudinal lumen, an electrical conductor and a hollow helical conductive needle mounted to the proximal end of said catheter body, coupled to the internal lumen of said catheter and to said electrical conductor, to a desired site within a heart; screwing said helical needle into heart tissue at said desired site; delivering a conductive fluid through the internal lumen of said catheter to said helical needle; coupling said electrical conductor to a source of R-F electrical energy; and delivering R-F electrical energy to said helical needle.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of catheter ablation, comprising: advancing an elongated catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, an internal longitudinal lumen, an electrical conductor and a hollow helical conductive needle mounted to the proximal end of said catheter body, coupled to the internal lumen of said catheter and to said electrical conductor, to a desired site within a heart; screwing said helical needle into heart tissue at said desired site; delivering a conductive fluid through the internal lumen of said catheter to said helical needle; coupling said electrical conductor to a source of R-F electrical energy; and delivering R-F electrical energy to said helical needle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein said step of screwing said helical needle into heart tissue comprises rotating said catheter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of connecting said electrical conductor to ECG monitoring apparatus.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein said catheter comprises a torque transfer cable, extending longitudinally along said catheter and coupled to said helical needle and wherein said step of screwing said helical needle into heart tissue comprises rotating said torque transfer cable.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein said catheter comprises a plastic tube, extending longitudinally along said catheter body, coupled to said helical needle and further comprising the step of delivering said conductive fluid through said plastic tube prior to said step of screwing said needle into said heart tissue.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein said step of delivering said conductive fluid comprises delivering Ringer's solution.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-07-10 | 1999-01-09 | 1999-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-07-10 | 2003-01-09 | 2003-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-07-10 | 2007-01-09 | 2007-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |