US5846223A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Diagnosis and treatment of atrial flutter in the right atrium
Assignee: St Jude Medical Atrial Fibrillation Division Inc
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Filing: 1996-05-24
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Granted: 1998-12-08
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Expires: 2016-05-24
Abstract
Abstract A process for the treatment of atrial flutter and/or atrial fibrillation in the right atrium by use of an ablating and/or mapping catheters guided by a guiding introducer. Also disclosed is a predetermined shape for the guiding introducer for use in the treatment of atrial flutter and/or atrial fibrillation in the right atrium.
Inventors
- 👤 John F. Swartz
- 👤 John D. Ockuly
- 👤 James A. Hassett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 18:55
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/0021; A61M25/0041; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1492
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A procedure for the diagnosis or treatment of atrial flutter or atrial fibrillation in the right atrium of the heart comprising (a) introducing into a specific location in the right atrium a guiding introducer with a predetermined shape containing a lumen running lengthwise therethrough, a proximal and a distal end, (b) introducing into the lumen of the guiding introducer an ablating or mapping catheter containing a proximal and distal end, wherein said catheter has one or more electrodes located at or near the distal end of the catheter, (c) guiding the catheter to a selected location within the right atrium by use of the guiding introducer, and (d) mapping or ablating a selected location or track within the right atrium by use of the electrodes of the catheter to treat atrial flutter or atrial fibrillation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
A procedure for the diagnosis or treatment of atrial flutter or atrial fibrillation in the right atrium of the heart comprising (a) introducing into a specific location in the right atrium a guiding introducer with a predetermined shape containing a lumen running lengthwise therethrough, a proximal and a distal end, (b) introducing into the lumen of the guiding introducer an ablating or mapping catheter containing a proximal and distal end, wherein said catheter has one or more electrodes located at or near the distal end of the catheter, (c) guiding the catheter to a selected location within the right atrium by use of the guiding introducer, and (d) mapping or ablating a selected location or track within the right atrium by use of the electrodes of the catheter to treat atrial flutter or atrial fibrillation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The procedure of claim 1 wherein the ablating procedure utilizes one of the following sources of energy: direct current, including high energy direct current, low energy direct current or fulgutronization procedures, microwave, ultrasound, laser, and radio frequency.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The procedure of claim 1 wherein the guiding introducer comprises a first, second and third section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The procedure of claim 3 wherein the first section of the guiding introducer is an elongated, hollow, generally straight section of sufficient length for introduction into the patient and for manipulation from the point of insertion through to a desired location within the heart.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The procedure of claim 3 wherein the second section of the guiding introducer comprises a first, second and third portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
The procedure of claim 5 wherein the first portion of the second section comprises a first curved segment, curving with an overall arc of about 30 to about 90 degrees followed by a second curved segment, curving generally in the opposite direction from the first curved segment curving with a an overall arc of about 30 to about 90 degrees.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The procedure of claim 5 wherein the second portion of the second section comprises a straight portion from about 0.1 to about 2.0 in. in length.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
The procedure of claim 5 wherein the third portion of the second section comprises a first curved segment curving in an overall arc of about 30 to about 90 degrees followed by a second curved segment curving generally in the opposite direction from the first curved segment with an overall arc of about 30 to about 90 degrees.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The procedure of claim 7 wherein the distance from the straight portion of the second section to the first section is from about 0.5 to about 2.0 inches.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The procedure of claim 3 wherein the first and second sections are substantially coplanar.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The procedure of claim 3 wherein the overall lineal length of the second section if from about 2.0 to about 7.0 in.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The procedure of claim 3 wherein the second section of the guiding introducer comprises one or more straight portions and one or more curved portions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The procedure of claim 3 wherein the third section comprises a first, second and third portion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
The procedure of claim 13 wherein the first portion of the third section comprises a straight segment from about 0.1 to about 3.0 in. in length and a curved segment, curving in an overall arc of about 20 to about 90 degrees.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The procedure of claim 13 wherein the first portion of the third section curves out of a plane formed by the first and second sections of the guiding introducer from about 20 to about 90 degrees.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The procedure of claim 13 wherein the second portion of the third section is a curved portion, curving from about 45 to about 135 degrees.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
The procedure of claim 13 wherein the second portion of the third section curves out of a plane formed by the first and second sections of the guiding introducer from about 20 to about 90 degrees.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The procedure of claim 13 wherein the third portion of the third section is a generally straight portion from about 0.2 to about 2.0 inches ending in the distal tip of the guiding introducer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The procedure of claim 3 wherein the third section comprises a first and second portions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
43 words
The procedure of claim 19 wherein the first portion of the third section comprises a straight segment from about 0.1 to about 3.0 in. in length, followed by a curved segment, curving in an overall arc of about 20 to about 90 degrees.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
The procedure of claim 19 wherein the first portion of the third section curves out of a plane formed by the first and second sections of the guiding introducer from about 20 to about 90 degrees.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The procedure of claim 19 wherein the second portion of the third section is a curved portion, curving from about 45 to about 135 degrees.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
36 words
The procedure of claim 19 wherein the second portion of the third section curves out of a plane formed by the first and second sections of the guiding introducer from about 20 to about 90 degrees.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The procedure of claim 3 wherein the third section of the guiding introducer comprises one or more straight sections and one or more curved sections.
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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) | 2001-12-07 | 2002-06-08 | 2002-12-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-12-07 | 2006-06-08 | 2006-12-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-12-07 | 2010-06-08 | 2010-12-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |