US5830213A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Systems for heating and ablating tissue using multifunctional electrode structures
Assignee: EP Technologies Inc
•
Filing: 1996-04-12
•
Granted: 1998-11-03
•
Expires: 2016-04-12
Abstract
Abstract Systems and methiods for heating or ablating tissue use a multifunctional electrode assembly. The electrode assembly includes a wall comprising an electrically conductive material peripherally surrounding an interior area. The wall has an interior surface facing the interior area and an oppositely facing exterior surface. A first element operatively associated with the exterior surface of the wall is adapted to carry out a first predetermined electrical transmitting or sensing function affecting body tissue. A second element operatively associated with the interior surface of the wall is adapted to carry out, independent of the first element, a second predetermined electrical transmitting or sensing function affecting body tissue different than the first predetermined electrical function.
Inventors
- 👤 Dorin Panescu
- 👤 David K. Swanson
- 👤 James G. Whayne
- 👤 Russell B. Thompson
- 👤 Patrick M. Owens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 17:35
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1492; A61B17/00; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00292; A61B2017/003; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00059; A61B2018/00065; A61B2018/00107; A61B2018/00148; A61B2018/0016; A61B2018/00214; A61B2018/0022; A61B2018/00267; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00345; A61B2018/00351; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00696; A61B2018/00761; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00791; A61B2018/00839; A61B2018/00886; A61B18/1206; A61B2018/1246; A61B2018/1253; A61B2018/126; A61B2018/1467; A61B2018/1472; A61B90/00; A61B90/39; A61B2090/3966; A61B2218/00; A61B2218/001; A61B2218/002; A61B5/00; A61B5/24; A61B5/25; A61B5/279; A61B5/28; A61B5/283; A61B5/287
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 82
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
An electrode assembly for contacting body tissue comprising a wall comprising an electrically conductive material peripherally surrounding an interior area, the wall having an interior surface facing the interior area and an oppositely facing exterior surface, a first element operatively associated with the exterior surface of the wall adapted to carry out a first predetermined electrical function affecting body tissue, and a second element operatively associated with the interior surface of the wall adapted to carry out, independent of the first element, a second predetermined electrical function affecting body tissue different than the first predetermined electrical function.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
An electrode assembly for contacting body tissue comprising a wall comprising an electrically conductive material peripherally surrounding an interior area, the wall having an interior surface facing the interior area and an oppositely facing exterior surface, a first element operatively associated with the exterior surface of the wall adapted to carry out a first predetermined electrical function affecting body tissue, and a second element operatively associated with the interior surface of the wall adapted to carry out, independent of the first element, a second predetermined electrical function affecting body tissue different than the first predetermined electrical function.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 1 wherein the first element includes means for transmitting electrical energy having a first physiological effect upon body tissue, and wherein the second element comprises means for transmitting electrical energy having a second physiological effect upon body tissue different than the first physiological effect.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 2 wherein the first element includes means for transmitting electrical energy to heat body tissue, and wherein the second element comprises means for transmitting electrical energy to electrically stimulate body tissue.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 2 wherein the first element includes means for transmitting electrical energy to ablate body tissue, and wherein the second element comprises means for transmitting electrical energy to electrically stimulate body tissue.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 1 wherein the first element includes means for transmitting electrical energy into body tissue, and wherein the second element comprises means for sensing electrical events in body tissue.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 5 wherein the first element includes means for transmitting electrical energy to heat body tissue.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 5 wherein the first element includes means for transmitting electrical energy to ablate body tissue.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 5 wherein the first element includes means for transmitting electrical energy to stimulate body tissue.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 1 wherein the first element includes means for sensing electrical events in body tissue, and wherein the second element comprises means for transmitting electrical energy to stimulate body tissue.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 1 wherein the first element includes means for sensing a first category of electrical events in body tissue, and wherein the second element includes means for sensing a second category of electrical events in body tissue different than the first category.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 1 wherein the wall is adapted to selectively assume an expanded geometry having a first maximum diameter and a collapsed geometry having a second maximum diameter less than the first maximum geometry.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
84 words
An electrode assembly for contacting heart tissue comprising a wall comprising an electrically conductive material peripherally surrounding an interior area, the wall having an interior surface facing the interior area and an oppositely facing exterior surface for contacting heart tissue, a first element operatively associated with the exterior surface of the wall adapted to transmit electrical energy to ablate heart tissue, and a second element operatively associated with the interior surface of the wall adapted to transmit pacing signals to electrically stimulate heart tissue.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
84 words
An electrode assembly for contacting heart tissue comprising a wall comprising an electrically conductive material peripherally surrounding an interior area, the wall having an interior surface facing the interior area and an oppositely facing exterior surface for contacting heart tissue, a first element operatively associated with the exterior surface of the wall adapted to transmit electrical energy to ablate heart tissue, and a second element operatively associated with the interior surface of the wall adapted to transmit pacing signals to electrically stimulate heart tissue.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 12 wherein the second element is adapted to transmit pacing signals that enable pace mapping of heart tissue.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 12 wherein the second element is adapted to transmit pacing signals that enable entrainment mapping of heart tissue.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 12 wherein the second element comprises an electrically conductive -material on the interior surface of the wall.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 12 wherein the second element comprises a bi-polar pair of electrodes carried on the interior surface of the wall.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 12 wherein the first element comprises an electrically conductive material on the exterior surface of the wall.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 17 wherein the electrically conductive material comprises a coating deposited on the exterior surface of the wall.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 17 wherein the electrically conductive material comprises foil affixed to the exterior surface of the wall.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 17 wherein the electrically conductive material is a coextruded part of the wall.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 17 wherein the electrically conductive material comprises noninsulated signal wire exposed on the exterior surface of the wall.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
73 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 17 wherein the first element comprises a porous material that forms a part of the wall, the porous material adapted to pass ions, and further including a lumen to convey a medium containing ions into the interior area and an electrically conductive element contacting the medium within the interior area to transmit electrical ablation energy for ionic transport through the medium and porous material to heart tissue.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
38 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 12 wherein the wall is adapted to selectively assume an expanded geometry having a first maximum diameter and a collapsed geometry having a second maximum diameter less than the first maximum geometry.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
82 words
An electrode assembly for contacting heart tissue comprising a wall comprising an electrically conductive material peripherally surrounding an interior area, the wall having an interior surface facing the interior area and an oppositely facing exterior surface for contacting heart tissue, a first element operatively associated with the exterior surface of the wall adapted to transmit electrical energy to ablate heart tissue, and a second element operatively associated with the interior surface of the wall adapted to sense electrical events in heart tissue.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
82 words
An electrode assembly for contacting heart tissue comprising a wall comprising an electrically conductive material peripherally surrounding an interior area, the wall having an interior surface facing the interior area and an oppositely facing exterior surface for contacting heart tissue, a first element operatively associated with the exterior surface of the wall adapted to transmit electrical energy to ablate heart tissue, and a second element operatively associated with the interior surface of the wall adapted to sense electrical events in heart tissue.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 24 wherein the second element senses electrical potentials in heart tissue.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 24 wherein the second element senses resistivity in heart tissue.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 24 wherein the second element comprises an electrically conductive material on the interior surface of the wall.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 24 wherein the second element comprises a bi-polar pair of electrodes carried on the interior surface of the wall.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 24 wherein the first element comprises an electrically conductive material on the exterior surface of the wall.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 29 wherein the electrically conductive material comprises a coating deposited on the exterior surface of the wall.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 29 wherein the electrically conductive material comprises foil affixed to the exterior surface of the wall.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
19 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 29 wherein the electrically conductive material is a coextruded part of the wall.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 29 wherein the electrically conductive material comprises noninsulated signal wire exposed on the exterior surface of the wall.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
73 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 24 wherein the first element comprises a porous material that forms a part of the wall, the porous material adapted to pass ions, and further including a lumen to convey a medium containing ions into the interior area and an electrically conductive element contacting the medium within the interior area to transmit electrical ablation energy for ionic transport through the medium and porous material to heart tissue.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
38 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 24 wherein the wall is adapted to selectively assume an expanded geometry having a first maximum diameter and a collapsed geometry having a second maximum diameter less than the first maximum geometry.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
83 words
An electrode assembly for contacting heart tissue comprising a wall comprising an electrically conductive material peripherally surrounding an interior area, the wall having an interior surface facing the interior area and an oppositely facing exterior surface for contacting heart tissue, a first element operatively associated with the exterior surface of the wall adapted to transmit pacing signals to electrically stimulate heart tissue, and a second element operatively associated with the interior surface of the wall adapted to sense electrical events in heart tissue.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
83 words
An electrode assembly for contacting heart tissue comprising a wall comprising an electrically conductive material peripherally surrounding an interior area, the wall having an interior surface facing the interior area and an oppositely facing exterior surface for contacting heart tissue, a first element operatively associated with the exterior surface of the wall adapted to transmit pacing signals to electrically stimulate heart tissue, and a second element operatively associated with the interior surface of the wall adapted to sense electrical events in heart tissue.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
17 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 36 wherein the second element senses electrical potentials in heart tissue.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
16 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 36 wherein the second element senses resistivity in heart tissue.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 36 wherein the second element comprises an electrically conductive material on the interior surface of the wall.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
25 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 36 wherein the second element comprises a bi-polar pair of electrodes carried on the interior surface of the wall.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 36 wherein the first element comprises an electrically conductive material on the exterior surface of the wall.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 41 wherein the electrically conductive material comprises a coating deposited on the exterior surface of the wall.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 41 wherein the electrically conductive material comprises foil affixed to the exterior surface of the wall.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
19 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 41 wherein the electrically conductive material is a coextruded part of the wall.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 41 wherein the electrically conductive material comprises noninsulated signal wire exposed on the exterior surface of the wall.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
38 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 36. wherein the wall is adapted to selectively assume an expanded geometry having a first maximum diameter and a collapsed geometry having a second maximum diameter less than the first maximum geometry.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
83 words
An electrode assembly for contacting heart tissue comprising a wall comprising an electrically conductive material peripherally surrounding an interior area, the wall having an interior surface facing the interior area and an oppositely facing exterior surface for contacting heart tissue, a first element operatively associated with the exterior surface of the wall adapted to sense electrical events in heart tissue, and a second element operatively associated with the interior surface of the wall adapted to transmit pacing signals to electrically stimulate heart tissue.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
83 words
An electrode assembly for contacting heart tissue comprising a wall comprising an electrically conductive material peripherally surrounding an interior area, the wall having an interior surface facing the interior area and an oppositely facing exterior surface for contacting heart tissue, a first element operatively associated with the exterior surface of the wall adapted to sense electrical events in heart tissue, and a second element operatively associated with the interior surface of the wall adapted to transmit pacing signals to electrically stimulate heart tissue.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
17 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 47 wherein the first element senses electrical potentials in heart tissue.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
16 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 47 wherein the first element senses resistivity in heart tissue.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 47 wherein the second element is adapted to transmit pacing signals that enable pace mapping of heart tissue.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 47 wherein the second element is adapted to transmit pacing signals that enable entrainment mapping of heart tissue.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 47 wherein the second element comprises an electrically conductive material on the interior surface of the wall.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
25 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 47 wherein the second element comprises a bi-polar pair of electrodes carried on the interior surface of the wall.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 47 wherein the first element comprises an electrically conductive material on the exterior surface of the wall.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 54 wherein the electrically conductive material comprises a coating deposited on the exterior surface of the wall.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 54 wherein the electrically conductive material comprises foil affixed to the exterior surface of the wall.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
19 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 54 wherein the electrically conductive material is a coextruded part of the wall.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 54 wherein the electrically conductive material comprises noninsulated signal wire exposed on the exterior surface of the wall.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
38 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 47 wherein the wall is adapted to selectively assume an expanded geometry having a first maximum diameter and a collapsed geometry having a second maximum diameter less than the first maximum geometry.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
80 words
An electrode assembly for contacting heart tissue comprising a wall comprising an electrically conductive material peripherally surrounding an interior area, the wall having an interior surface facing the interior area and an oppositely facing exterior surface for contacting heart tissue, a first element operatively associated with the exterior surface of the wall adapted to sense electrical potentials in heart tissue, and a second element operatively associated with the interior surface of the wall adapted to sense resistivity in heart tissue.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
80 words
An electrode assembly for contacting heart tissue comprising a wall comprising an electrically conductive material peripherally surrounding an interior area, the wall having an interior surface facing the interior area and an oppositely facing exterior surface for contacting heart tissue, a first element operatively associated with the exterior surface of the wall adapted to sense electrical potentials in heart tissue, and a second element operatively associated with the interior surface of the wall adapted to sense resistivity in heart tissue.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
80 words
An electrode assembly for contacting heart tissue comprising a wall comprising an electrically conductive material peripherally surrounding an interior area, the wall having an interior surface facing the interior area and an oppositely facing exterior surface for contacting heart tissue, a first element operatively associated with the exterior surface of the wall adapted to sense resistivity in heart tissue, and a second element operatively associated with the interior surface of the wall adapted to sense electrical potentials in heart tissue.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
80 words
An electrode assembly for contacting heart tissue comprising a wall comprising an electrically conductive material peripherally surrounding an interior area, the wall having an interior surface facing the interior area and an oppositely facing exterior surface for contacting heart tissue, a first element operatively associated with the exterior surface of the wall adapted to sense resistivity in heart tissue, and a second element operatively associated with the interior surface of the wall adapted to sense electrical potentials in heart tissue.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
25 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 60 or 61 wherein the second element comprises an electrically conductive material on the interior surface of the wall.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
27 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 60 or 61 wherein the second element comprises a bi-polar pair of electrodes carried on the interior surface of the wall.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
25 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 60 or 61 wherein the first element comprises an electrically conductive material on the exterior surface of the wall.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 64 wherein the electrically conductive material comprises a coating deposited on the exterior surface of the wall.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 64 wherein the electrically conductive material comprises foil affixed to the exterior surface of the wall.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
19 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 64 wherein the electrically conductive material is a coextruded part of the wall.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 67 wherein the electrically conductive material comprises noninsulated signal wire exposed on the exterior surface of the wall.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
40 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 60 or 61 wherein the wall is adapted to selectively assume an expanded geometry having a first maximum diameter and a collapsed geometry having a second maximum diameter less than the first maximum geometry.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
87 words
An electrode assembly for contacting body tissue, comprising: a wall comprising an electrically conductive material peripherally surrounding an interior area, the wall having an interior surface facing the interior area and an oppositely facing exterior surface; a first element operatively associated with the exterior surface of the wall adapted to carry out a first predetermined electrical function for affecting body tissue; and a second element operatively associated with the interior surface of the wall adapted to carry out a second predetermined electrical function for affecting body tissue.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
87 words
An electrode assembly for contacting body tissue, comprising: a wall comprising an electrically conductive material peripherally surrounding an interior area, the wall having an interior surface facing the interior area and an oppositely facing exterior surface; a first element operatively associated with the exterior surface of the wall adapted to carry out a first predetermined electrical function for affecting body tissue; and a second element operatively associated with the interior surface of the wall adapted to carry out a second predetermined electrical function for affecting body tissue.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
46 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 70, wherein the first element includes a first means for transmitting electrical energy and the second element includes a second means for transmitting electrical energy, the first and second means each causing a substantially similar physiological effect upon body tissue.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 71, wherein the first and second elements are adapted to transmit electrical energy to ablate body tissue.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 71, wherein the first and second elements are adapted to transmit electrical energy to stimulate body tissue.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
26 words
An electrode assembly according to claim 71, wherein the first and second elements are adapted to transmit electrical energy to sense electrical events in body 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) | 2001-11-02 | 2002-05-04 | 2002-11-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-11-02 | 2006-05-04 | 2006-11-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-11-02 | 2010-05-04 | 2010-11-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |