Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for mapping electrophysiologic activation in a myocardium of a heart comprising the steps of: disposing a sensing portion of a catheter inside said heart at a position adjacent to a predetermined point in said myocardium without necessarily contacting said myocardium; sensing from inside said heart only localized cardiac signals from said myocardium within about 1 to 3 mm adjacent to said predetermined point without necessarily contacting said myocardium with said sensing portion of said catheter; and repeating said steps of disposing and sensing only said localized cardiac signals from inside said heart without necessarily contacting said heart with said sensing portion of said catheter from a plurality of different predetermined points within said myocardium, so that accurate and discrete mapping of electrophysiologic activation within said heart is achieved as a function of position within said heart.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for mapping electrophysiologic activation in a myocardium of a heart comprising the steps of: disposing a sensing portion of a catheter inside said heart at a position adjacent to a predetermined point in said myocardium without necessarily contacting said myocardium; sensing from inside said heart only localized cardiac signals from said myocardium within about 1 to 3 mm adjacent to said predetermined point without necessarily contacting said myocardium with said sensing portion of said catheter; and repeating said steps of disposing and sensing only said localized cardiac signals from inside said heart without necessarily contacting said heart with said sensing portion of said catheter from a plurality of different predetermined points within said myocardium, so that accurate and discrete mapping of electrophysiologic activation within said heart is achieved as a function of position within said heart.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 1 where said step of sensing only said localized cardiac signals from adjacent myocardium comprises the step of sensing said cardiac signals on at least one pair of orthogonal electrodes disposed on said catheter and near said predetermined point in said myocardium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 2 where said step of sensing is conducted without contacting said adjacent myocardium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said step of sensing said cardiac signals on said orthogonal electrodes comprises the step of differencing cardiac signals received on each of said orthogonal electrodes to generate a differential signal therebetween, said differential signal being indicative of said localized cardiac activity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 where said step of sensing is conducted without contacting said adjacent myocardium.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for mapping electrophysiologic activation in a myocardium of a heart comprising the steps of: disposing a catheter within said heart at a position adjacent to a predetermined point in said myocardium; sensing only localized cardiac signals from said myocardium within about 1 to 3 mm adjacent to said predetermined point without necessarily contacting said myocardium; repeating said steps of disposing and sensing only said localized cardiac signals from a plurality of different predetermined points within said myocardium, so that accurate and discrete mapping of electrophysiologic activation within said heart is achieved; and stimulating said adjacent myocardium while simultaneously performing said step of sensing only localized cardiac signals from said adjacent myocardium, including sensing the very myocardium being stimulated.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for mapping electrophysiologic activation in a myocardium of a heart comprising the steps of: disposing a catheter within said heart at a position adjacent to a predetermined point in said myocardium; sensing only localized cardiac signals from said myocardium within about 1 to 3 mm adjacent to said predetermined point without necessarily contacting said myocardium; repeating said steps of disposing and sensing only said localized cardiac signals from a plurality of different predetermined points within said myocardium, so that accurate and discrete mapping of electrophysiologic activation within said heart is achieved; and stimulating said adjacent myocardium while simultaneously performing said step of sensing only localized cardiac signals from said adjacent myocardium, including sensing the very myocardium being stimulated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method claim 6 where said step of stimulating is performed through a stimulating tip provided at a distal end of said catheter and a ring electrode proximal from said tip, and wherein said step of simultaneously sensing is performed at point in said myocardium proximate to said stimulating tip by means of at least a pair of orthogonal sensing electrodes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said step of sensing is performed by said orthogonal electrodes at said point in said myocardium approximately 1 to 5 millimeters spaced from said stimulating tip.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of sensing is simultaneously performed at a plurality of points in said myocardium longitudinally adjacent along the length of said catheter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 9 where said step of sensing is conducted without contacting said adjacent myocardium.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
77 words
The method of claim 9 where in said step of sensing along said plurality of points in said myocardium longitudinally disposed adjacent to said catheter is comprised of the steps of sensing through a corresponding plurality of orthogonal electrodes, and differencing said cardiac signals received by each of said plurality of orthogonal electrodes to produce a corresponding plurality of differential signals indicative of localized signals at each of said corresponding points in said myocardium along said catheter.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for mapping electrophysiologic activation in a myocardium of a heart comprising the steps of: disposing a catheter within said heart at a position adjacent to a predetermined point in said myocardium; sensing only localized cardiac signals from said myocardium within about 1 to 3 mm adjacent to said predetermined point without necessarily contacting said myocardium; repeating said steps of disposing and sensing only said localized cardiac signals from a plurality of different predetermined points within said myocardium, so that accurate and discrete mapping of electrophysiologic activation within said heart is achieved; and simultaneously applying energy through said catheter at another predetermined point for the purpose of ablating myocardium at said other predetermined point.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for mapping electrophysiologic activation in a myocardium of a heart comprising the steps of: disposing a catheter within said heart at a position adjacent to a predetermined point in said myocardium; sensing only localized cardiac signals from said myocardium within about 1 to 3 mm adjacent to said predetermined point without necessarily contacting said myocardium; repeating said steps of disposing and sensing only said localized cardiac signals from a plurality of different predetermined points within said myocardium, so that accurate and discrete mapping of electrophysiologic activation within said heart is achieved; and simultaneously applying energy through said catheter at another predetermined point for the purpose of ablating myocardium at said other predetermined point.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 12 where said step of applying energy is performed by applying radio frequency ablative energy through an ablative tip at a distal end of said catheter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 12 where said step of sensing at said predetermined point in said myocardium is simultaneously performed with said step of applying ablative energy at said same predetermined point in said myocardium being ablated.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
191 words
A catheter for mapping electrophysiologic activity in myocardium in a human heart comprising: a catheter body for disposition inside said heart, said catheter body having a distal tip; at least one pair of noncontacting orthogonal electrodes disposed on a portion of said catheter body inside said heart for receiving electrocardiac signals only from a localized area within said myocardium within about 1 to 3 mm of a predetermined point in said myocardium without necessary contact with said myocardium; circuit means for differencing cardiac signals received by said at least one pair of orthogonal electrodes to generate an electrographic signal indicative of localized cardiac activity only within about 1 to 3 mm of said predetermined point; and a catheter tip electrode disposed on said distal tip of said catheter, said catheter tip electrode for delivery of a stimulating pulse for pacing said heart, said orthogonal electrodes and circuit means for simultaneously sensing only said localized cardiac activity to produce said electrographic signal indicative of localized cardiac activity only within about 1 to 3 mm of said predetermined point, whereby a catheter is provided for specifically spatially mapping electrophysiologic activity within said myocardium.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
191 words
A catheter for mapping electrophysiologic activity in myocardium in a human heart comprising: a catheter body for disposition inside said heart, said catheter body having a distal tip; at least one pair of noncontacting orthogonal electrodes disposed on a portion of said catheter body inside said heart for receiving electrocardiac signals only from a localized area within said myocardium within about 1 to 3 mm of a predetermined point in said myocardium without necessary contact with said myocardium; circuit means for differencing cardiac signals received by said at least one pair of orthogonal electrodes to generate an electrographic signal indicative of localized cardiac activity only within about 1 to 3 mm of said predetermined point; and a catheter tip electrode disposed on said distal tip of said catheter, said catheter tip electrode for delivery of a stimulating pulse for pacing said heart, said orthogonal electrodes and circuit means for simultaneously sensing only said localized cardiac activity to produce said electrographic signal indicative of localized cardiac activity only within about 1 to 3 mm of said predetermined point, whereby a catheter is provided for specifically spatially mapping electrophysiologic activity within said myocardium.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
206 words
A catheter for mapping electrophysiologic activity in myocardium in a human heart comprising: a catheter body for disposition within said heart, said catheter body having a distal tip; at least one pair of orthogonal electrodes disposed on said catheter body for receiving electrocardiac signals only from a localized area within said myocardium within about 1 to 3 mm of a predetermined point in said myocardium; circuit means for differencing cardiac signals received by said at least one pair of orthogonal electrodes to generate an electrographic signal indicative of localized cardiac activity only within about 1 to 3 mm of said predetermined point; a catheter tip electrode disposed on said distal tip of said catheter, said catheter tip electrode for delivery of a stimulating pulse for pacing said heart, said orthogonal electrodes and circuit means for simultaneously sensing only said localized cardiac activity to produce said electrographic signal indicative of localized cardiac activity only within about 1 to 3 mm of said predetermined point, wherein said orthogonal electrodes are disposed adjacent to said stimulating catheter tip electrode and simultaneously sense electrophysiologic activity at said very same predetermined point in said myocardium being stimulated, whereby a catheter is provided for specifically spatially mapping electrophysiologic activity within said myocardium.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
206 words
A catheter for mapping electrophysiologic activity in myocardium in a human heart comprising: a catheter body for disposition within said heart, said catheter body having a distal tip; at least one pair of orthogonal electrodes disposed on said catheter body for receiving electrocardiac signals only from a localized area within said myocardium within about 1 to 3 mm of a predetermined point in said myocardium; circuit means for differencing cardiac signals received by said at least one pair of orthogonal electrodes to generate an electrographic signal indicative of localized cardiac activity only within about 1 to 3 mm of said predetermined point; a catheter tip electrode disposed on said distal tip of said catheter, said catheter tip electrode for delivery of a stimulating pulse for pacing said heart, said orthogonal electrodes and circuit means for simultaneously sensing only said localized cardiac activity to produce said electrographic signal indicative of localized cardiac activity only within about 1 to 3 mm of said predetermined point, wherein said orthogonal electrodes are disposed adjacent to said stimulating catheter tip electrode and simultaneously sense electrophysiologic activity at said very same predetermined point in said myocardium being stimulated, whereby a catheter is provided for specifically spatially mapping electrophysiologic activity within said myocardium.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The catheter of claim 16 wherein said orthogonal electrodes are disposed within 1 to 5 millimeters from said stimulating catheter tip electrode.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
156 words
A catheter for mapping electrophysiologic activity in myocardium in a human heart comprising: a catheter body for disposition inside said heart, said catheter body having a distal tip; at least one pair of noncontacting orthogonal electrodes disposed on a portion of said catheter body inside said heart for receiving electrocardiac signals only from a localized area within said myocardium within about 1 to 3 mm of a predetermined point in said myocardium without necessary contact with said myocardium; circuit means for differencing cardiac signals received by said at least one pair of orthogonal electrodes to generate an electrographic signal indicative of localized cardiac activity only within about 1 to 3 mm of said predetermined point; and an ablative electrode disposed on said catheter arranged and adapted for applying energy through said ablative electrode to extirpate myocardium in contact with said ablative electrode, whereby a catheter is provided for specifically spatially mapping electrophysiologic activity within said myocardium.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
156 words
A catheter for mapping electrophysiologic activity in myocardium in a human heart comprising: a catheter body for disposition inside said heart, said catheter body having a distal tip; at least one pair of noncontacting orthogonal electrodes disposed on a portion of said catheter body inside said heart for receiving electrocardiac signals only from a localized area within said myocardium within about 1 to 3 mm of a predetermined point in said myocardium without necessary contact with said myocardium; circuit means for differencing cardiac signals received by said at least one pair of orthogonal electrodes to generate an electrographic signal indicative of localized cardiac activity only within about 1 to 3 mm of said predetermined point; and an ablative electrode disposed on said catheter arranged and adapted for applying energy through said ablative electrode to extirpate myocardium in contact with said ablative electrode, whereby a catheter is provided for specifically spatially mapping electrophysiologic activity within said myocardium.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The catheter of claim 18 wherein said orthogonal electrodes are disposed adjacent to said ablative electrode for simultaneously sensing electrophysiologic activation of said very same myocardium while being extirpated.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The catheter of claim 19 wherein said orthogonal electrodes are disposed as close as 1 to 5 millimeters from said ablative electrode.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
216 words
A catheter for stimulating myocardium to pace a human heart, said catheter having a distal tip, comprising: a catheter body for disposition inside said heart; at least one pair of noncontacting orthogonal electrodes disposed on a portion of said catheter body inside said heart for sensing localized cardiac activity only in myocardium within 1 to 3 mm adjacent to a predetermined point within said myocardium without necessary contact with said myocardium; and means for differencing cardiac signals sensed by said at least one pair of orthogonal electrodes to generate an electrographic signal indicative only of localized cardiac activity only within 1 to 3 mm of said predetermined point in said myocardium, said means for differencing cardiac signals being coupled to said at least one pair of orthogonal electrodes; and a catheter tip electrode disposed on said distal tip of said catheter, said catheter tip electrode for delivery of a stimulating pulse for pacing said heart; wherein said orthogonal electrodes and means for differencing cardiac signals are arranged and adapted for simultaneously sensing said localized cardiac activity during delivery of said stimulating pulse to said catheter tip electrode inside said heart, whereby said catheter is adapted to provide stimulation to said heart in response to localized cardiac signals only from myocardium immediately adjacent to said predetermined point.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
216 words
A catheter for stimulating myocardium to pace a human heart, said catheter having a distal tip, comprising: a catheter body for disposition inside said heart; at least one pair of noncontacting orthogonal electrodes disposed on a portion of said catheter body inside said heart for sensing localized cardiac activity only in myocardium within 1 to 3 mm adjacent to a predetermined point within said myocardium without necessary contact with said myocardium; and means for differencing cardiac signals sensed by said at least one pair of orthogonal electrodes to generate an electrographic signal indicative only of localized cardiac activity only within 1 to 3 mm of said predetermined point in said myocardium, said means for differencing cardiac signals being coupled to said at least one pair of orthogonal electrodes; and a catheter tip electrode disposed on said distal tip of said catheter, said catheter tip electrode for delivery of a stimulating pulse for pacing said heart; wherein said orthogonal electrodes and means for differencing cardiac signals are arranged and adapted for simultaneously sensing said localized cardiac activity during delivery of said stimulating pulse to said catheter tip electrode inside said heart, whereby said catheter is adapted to provide stimulation to said heart in response to localized cardiac signals only from myocardium immediately adjacent to said predetermined point.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
217 words
A catheter for stimulating myocardium to pace a human heart, said catheter having a distal tip, comprising: a catheter body for disposition within said heart; at least one pair of orthogonal electrodes disposed on said catheter body for sensing localized cardiac activity only in myocardium within 1 to 3 mm adjacent to a predetermined point within said myocardium; means for differencing cardiac signals sensed by said at least one pair of orthogonal electrodes to generate an electrographic signal indicative only of localized cardiac activity only within 1 to 3 mm of said predetermined point in said myocardium, said means for differencing cardiac signals being coupled to said at least one pair of orthogonal electrodes; and a catheter tip electrode disposed on said distal tip of said catheter, said catheter tip electrode for delivery of a stimulating pulse for pacing said heart; wherein said orthogonal electrodes and means for differencing cardiac signals are arranged and adapted for simultaneously sensing said localized cardiac activity during delivery of said stimulating pulse to said catheter tip electrode, wherein said orthogonal electrodes are disposed as close as 1 to 5 millimeters from said catheter tip electrode, whereby said catheter is adapted to provide stimulation to said heart in response to localized cardiac signals only from myocardium immediately adjacent to said predetermined point.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
217 words
A catheter for stimulating myocardium to pace a human heart, said catheter having a distal tip, comprising: a catheter body for disposition within said heart; at least one pair of orthogonal electrodes disposed on said catheter body for sensing localized cardiac activity only in myocardium within 1 to 3 mm adjacent to a predetermined point within said myocardium; means for differencing cardiac signals sensed by said at least one pair of orthogonal electrodes to generate an electrographic signal indicative only of localized cardiac activity only within 1 to 3 mm of said predetermined point in said myocardium, said means for differencing cardiac signals being coupled to said at least one pair of orthogonal electrodes; and a catheter tip electrode disposed on said distal tip of said catheter, said catheter tip electrode for delivery of a stimulating pulse for pacing said heart; wherein said orthogonal electrodes and means for differencing cardiac signals are arranged and adapted for simultaneously sensing said localized cardiac activity during delivery of said stimulating pulse to said catheter tip electrode, wherein said orthogonal electrodes are disposed as close as 1 to 5 millimeters from said catheter tip electrode, whereby said catheter is adapted to provide stimulation to said heart in response to localized cardiac signals only from myocardium immediately adjacent to said predetermined point.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
234 words
A catheter for ablating myocardium in a human heart in a heart comprising: a catheter body for disposition inside said heart; at least one pair of noncontacting orthogonal electrodes disposed on a portion of said catheter body inside said heart for sensing localized cardiac activity only in myocardium within 1 to 3 mm adjacent to a predetermined point within said myocardium without necessary contact with said myocardium; and means for differencing cardiac signals sensed by said at least one pair of orthogonal electrodes to generate an electrographic signal indicative only of localized cardiac activity only within 1 to 3 mm of said predetermined point in said myocardium, said means for differencing cardiac signals being coupled to said at least one pair of orthogonal electrodes; and an ablative electrode disposed on said catheter for applying energy through said ablative electrode to extirpate myocardium in contact with said ablative electrode inside said heart; wherein said orthogonal electrodes are disposed adjacent to said ablative electrode inside said heart, said orthogonal electrodes and means for differencing cardiac signals being arranged and adapted for simultaneously sensing only said localized cardiac activity of said myocardium at said predetermined point while said myocardium in contact with said ablative electrode inside said heart is being extirpated, whereby said catheter is provided for ablating selected myocardium in said heart in response only to localized cardiac signals from myocardium at a specific spatial point.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
234 words
A catheter for ablating myocardium in a human heart in a heart comprising: a catheter body for disposition inside said heart; at least one pair of noncontacting orthogonal electrodes disposed on a portion of said catheter body inside said heart for sensing localized cardiac activity only in myocardium within 1 to 3 mm adjacent to a predetermined point within said myocardium without necessary contact with said myocardium; and means for differencing cardiac signals sensed by said at least one pair of orthogonal electrodes to generate an electrographic signal indicative only of localized cardiac activity only within 1 to 3 mm of said predetermined point in said myocardium, said means for differencing cardiac signals being coupled to said at least one pair of orthogonal electrodes; and an ablative electrode disposed on said catheter for applying energy through said ablative electrode to extirpate myocardium in contact with said ablative electrode inside said heart; wherein said orthogonal electrodes are disposed adjacent to said ablative electrode inside said heart, said orthogonal electrodes and means for differencing cardiac signals being arranged and adapted for simultaneously sensing only said localized cardiac activity of said myocardium at said predetermined point while said myocardium in contact with said ablative electrode inside said heart is being extirpated, whereby said catheter is provided for ablating selected myocardium in said heart in response only to localized cardiac signals from myocardium at a specific spatial point.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
The catheter of claim 23 wherein said orthogonal electrodes are disposed as close as 1 to 5 millimeters from said ablative electrode.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for mapping electrophysiologic activation in a myocardium of a heart comprising: disposing a sensing portion of a multiple orthogonal electrode catheter inside said heart at a position adjacent to a plurality of predetermined points in said myocardium without necessarily contacting said myocardium; and sensing from inside said heart only localized cardiac signals from said myocardium within about 1 to 3 mm adjacent of each of said plurality of predetermined points without necessarily contacting said myocardium with said sensing portion of said catheter to sense and measure activation resequencing in said heart as a function of time.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for mapping electrophysiologic activation in a myocardium of a heart comprising: disposing a sensing portion of a multiple orthogonal electrode catheter inside said heart at a position adjacent to a plurality of predetermined points in said myocardium without necessarily contacting said myocardium; and sensing from inside said heart only localized cardiac signals from said myocardium within about 1 to 3 mm adjacent of each of said plurality of predetermined points without necessarily contacting said myocardium with said sensing portion of said catheter to sense and measure activation resequencing in said heart as a function of time.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 25 further comprising stimulating said adjacent myocardium while simultaneously sensing and observing said activation resequencing front said adjacent myocardium, including sensing the very myocardium being stimulated.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 25 further comprising simultaneously applying energy through said catheter at another predetermined point for the purpose of ablating myocardium at said other predetermined point, while simultaneously sensing and observing said activation resequencing from said adjacent myocardium, including sensing the very myocardium being ablated.