Patent US5827273A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5827273A
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US
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Thin layer ablation apparatus
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1996-04-05
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Granted: 1998-10-27
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Expires: 2016-04-05
Abstract
Abstract An ablation apparatus has a balloon that is inserted into an organ of a body and ablates all or a selected portion of the inner layer of the organ. Electrolytic solution fills the balloon, and the balloon includes a plurality of apertures from which electrolytic solution flows from the balloon. The flow rate of electrolytic solution is dependent on the pressure applied to the balloon by the electrolytic solution. A conforming member, with a conductive surface and a back side, is made of a material that substantially conforms, to a shape of the inner layer of the organ and delivers the electrolytic solution and RF energy through the conductive surface to the inner layer. Advantageously, difficult to access areas are reached with the inclusion of the conforming member. Optionally positioned between the conforming member and the balloon is a porous membrane. A printed circuit is printed in or on the conforming member and delivers RF energy to selected sections of the inner layer. The printed circuit provides for the monitoring of impedance, temperature and circuit continuity. Additionally, the printed circuit can be multiplexed.
Inventors
- 👤 Stuart D. Edwards
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:58
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/148; A61B18/1485; A61B18/1492; A61M; A61M16/00; A61M16/04; A61M16/0434; A61M16/0436; A61M16/0438; A61M16/0445; A61M16/0447; A61M16/0475; A61M16/0477; A61M16/0481; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/06; A61B18/18; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022; A61B2017/00084; A61B2017/00106; A61B17/42; A61B2017/4216; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00059; A61B2018/00065; A61B2018/00071; A61B2018/00083; A61B2018/00214; A61B2018/0022; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00559; A61B2018/00571; A61B2018/00577; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00642; A61B2018/00654; A61B2018/00666; A61B2018/00678; A61B2018/00696; A61B2018/00702; A61B2018/00708; A61B2018/00761; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00791; A61B2018/00827; A61B2018/00869; A61B2018/00875; A61B2018/00886; A61B2018/00892; A61B2018/00898; A61B2018/0091; A61B2018/00916; A61B2018/00982; A61B18/1206; A61B2018/124; A61B2018/1472; A61B2218/00; A61B2218/001; A61B2218/002; A61M25/00; A61M25/10; A61M2025/1043; A61M2025/1052; A61M2025/1086; A61M25/1002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
An apparatus for ablating a surface in an organ of a body, the apparatus comprising: an introducer having a distal portion, a fluid lumen extending through the introducer, and an opening formed at the distal portion and communicating with the fluid lumen; a plurality of RF electrodes carried by the distal portion of the introducer; a fluid permeable expandable member expandable to conform to a surface of an organ when positioned adjacent to the surface, the expandable member including a foam portion, at least a portion of the expandable member surrounding the electrodes; an electrical connector device connecting the plurality of RF electrodes to an RF energy source; a source of a conductive fluid fluidly coupled to the fluid lumen to permit flow of conductive fluid through the expandable member to cause fluid to create a conductive path between the electrodes and an inner surface of an organ when the distal portion is positioned adjacent the inner surface.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
158 words
An apparatus for ablating a surface in an organ of a body, the apparatus comprising: an introducer having a distal portion, a fluid lumen extending through the introducer, and an opening formed at the distal portion and communicating with the fluid lumen; a plurality of RF electrodes carried by the distal portion of the introducer; a fluid permeable expandable member expandable to conform to a surface of an organ when positioned adjacent to the surface, the expandable member including a foam portion, at least a portion of the expandable member surrounding the electrodes; an electrical connector device connecting the plurality of RF electrodes to an RF energy source; a source of a conductive fluid fluidly coupled to the fluid lumen to permit flow of conductive fluid through the expandable member to cause fluid to create a conductive path between the electrodes and an inner surface of an organ when the distal portion is positioned adjacent the inner surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said conductive fluid causes said expandable member to expand and conform to the surface of the organ.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the expandable member further includes a porous membrane.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for ablating body tissue, comprising the steps of: (a) providing an introducer, electrodes carried by the introducer, an expandable member of fluid permeable material, the expandable member including a foam portion, with at least a portion of the expandable member being formed over the electrodes, and means for delivering conductive fluid to the electrodes; (b) manipulating the introducer into an organ, and positioning the expandable member adjacent to tissue within the organ which is to be ablated; (c) supplying RF energy to the electrodes; (d) supplying conductive fluid to the electrodes; and (e) permitting the conductive fluid to form a conductive path between the electrodes and the tissue which is to be ablated.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for ablating body tissue, comprising the steps of: (a) providing an introducer, electrodes carried by the introducer, an expandable member of fluid permeable material, the expandable member including a foam portion, with at least a portion of the expandable member being formed over the electrodes, and means for delivering conductive fluid to the electrodes; (b) manipulating the introducer into an organ, and positioning the expandable member adjacent to tissue within the organ which is to be ablated; (c) supplying RF energy to the electrodes; (d) supplying conductive fluid to the electrodes; and (e) permitting the conductive fluid to form a conductive path between the electrodes and the tissue which is to be ablated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 4 further including the step of, with the conductive fluid, expanding the expandable member to cause it to conform to the tissue.
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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) | 2001-10-26 | 2002-04-27 | 2002-10-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-10-26 | 2006-04-27 | 2006-10-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-10-26 | 2010-04-27 | 2010-10-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |