US5725524A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus for R-F ablation
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
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Filing: 1996-01-03
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Granted: 1998-03-10
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Expires: 2016-01-03
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for ablation of body tissue. A catheter provided with a hollow needle is employed both for mapping the location to be ablated by injection of an excitability reducing agent and for ablating tissue, employing RF energy in conjunction with an injected, conductive fluid.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter M.J. Mulier
- 👤 Michael F. Hoey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 03:31
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1492; A61B18/1477; A61B18/1402; A61B17/00; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00292; A61B2018/00005; A61B2018/00011; A61B2018/00023; A61B2018/00029; A61B2018/00035; A61B2018/00041; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00059; A61B2018/00065; A61B2018/00071; A61B2018/00077; A61B18/1206; A61B2018/1246; A61B2018/1253; A61B2018/126; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/1425; A61B2018/1435; A61B2018/1472; A61B18/16; A61B2018/162; A61B2218/00; A61B2218/001; A61B2218/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
An ablation catheter system, comprising: an elongated catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end and comprising a first tube having an internal longitudinal lumen; a hollow conductive electrode mounted to the distal end of said catheter body and having an internal lumen coupled to the internal lumen of said first tube; fluid delivery means coupled to the internal lumen of said first tube for delivering a conductive fluid to said internal lumen of said first tube: means for cooling said conductive fluid while in said internal lumen of said first tube; and a source of R-F electrical energy, coupled to said electrode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
An ablation catheter system, comprising: an elongated catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end and comprising a first tube having an internal longitudinal lumen; a hollow conductive electrode mounted to the distal end of said catheter body and having an internal lumen coupled to the internal lumen of said first tube; fluid delivery means coupled to the internal lumen of said first tube for delivering a conductive fluid to said internal lumen of said first tube: means for cooling said conductive fluid while in said internal lumen of said first tube; and a source of R-F electrical energy, coupled to said electrode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
115 words
An ablation catheter system according to claim 1 wherein said cooling means comprises: a second tube, located exterior to said first tube and having a distal end sealed to said electrode; a third tube, mounted between said first and second tubes, defining a first flow path between said first and second tubes and a second flow path between said second and third tubes, said first and second flow paths in fluid communication adjacent said distal end of said second tube; first fluid coupling means for coupling said first flow path to a source of cooling fluid; and second fluid coupling means for coupling said second flow path to provide an outlet for said cooling fluid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
99 words
An ablation catheter system, comprising: an elongated catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end and an internal longitudinal lumen; a hollow conductive electrode mounted to the distal end of said catheter body and having an internal lumen coupled to the internal lumen of said catheter body; 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; means for heating said conductive fluid while in said internal lumen of said catheter body; and a source of R-F electrical energy, coupled to said electrode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
99 words
An ablation catheter system, comprising: an elongated catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end and an internal longitudinal lumen; a hollow conductive electrode mounted to the distal end of said catheter body and having an internal lumen coupled to the internal lumen of said catheter body; 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; means for heating said conductive fluid while in said internal lumen of said catheter body; and a source of R-F electrical energy, coupled to said electrode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
115 words
An ablation catheter system according to claim 3 wherein said heating means comprises: a second tube, located exterior to said first tube and having a distal end sealed to said electrode; a third tube, mounted between said first and second tubes, defining a first flow path between said first and second tubes and a second flow path between said second and third tubes, said first and second flow paths in fluid communication adjacent said distal end of said second tube; first fluid coupling means for coupling said first flow path to a source of heating fluid; and second fluid coupling means for coupling said second flow path to provide an outlet for said heating fluid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
An ablation catheter system according to claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 or claim 4 wherein said electrode is a hollow needle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
An ablation catheter according to claim 5 wherein said electrode is a hollow, helical needle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
An ablation catheter according to claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 or claim 4 wherein said electrode is a porous, conductive electrode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
An ablation catheter according to claim 7 wherein said electrode is a porous, metal electrode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
88 words
An ablation catheter system, comprising: an elongated catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end and having an internal lumen, open to the distal end of said catheter body; a conductive electrode within said internal lumen; a first conductor, coupled to said electrode; a source of R-F energy, coupled to said first conductor; fluid delivery means coupled to said internal lumen of said catheter body for delivering a conductive fluid to said internal lumen; and a helical member extending from the distal end of said internal lumen.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
88 words
An ablation catheter system, comprising: an elongated catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end and having an internal lumen, open to the distal end of said catheter body; a conductive electrode within said internal lumen; a first conductor, coupled to said electrode; a source of R-F energy, coupled to said first conductor; fluid delivery means coupled to said internal lumen of said catheter body for delivering a conductive fluid to said internal lumen; and a helical member extending from the distal end of said internal lumen.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
An ablation catheter system according to claim 9, wherein said helical member is conductive and further comprising a second electrical conductor coupled to said helical member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
An ablation catheter system according to claim 10, wherein said helical member is hollow and further comprising means for delivering a conductive fluid to said helical member.
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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) | 2001-03-09 | 2001-09-08 | 2002-03-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-03-09 | 2005-09-08 | 2006-03-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-03-09 | 2009-09-08 | 2010-03-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |