US5881727A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Integrated cardiac mapping and ablation probe
Assignee: EP Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1996-01-04
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Granted: 1999-03-16
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Expires: 2016-01-04
Abstract
Abstract A probe for cardiac diagnosis and/or treatment has a catheter tube. The distal end of the catheter tube carries first and second electrode elements. The probe includes a mechanism for steering the first electrode element relative to the second electrode element so that the user can move the first electrode element into and out of contact with endocardial tissue without disturbing the contact of the second electrode element with endocardial tissue, even through the two electrode elements are carried on a common catheter tube. The distal end can carry a three dimensional structure having an open interior area. One of electrode elements can be steered through the open interior area of the structure. Electrode elements on the exterior of the structure can be used for surface mapping, while the electrode element inside the structure is steered to ablate tissue.
Inventors
- 👤 Stuart D. Edwards
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 03:26
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/06; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1492; A61B18/18; A61B18/1815; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/0016; A61B2018/00214; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00345; A61B2018/00351; A61B2018/00357; A61B2018/00571; A61B2018/00577; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00839; A61B18/1206; A61B2018/1246; A61B2018/1253; A61B2218/00; A61B2218/001; A61B2218/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
An integrated probe for use within a heart to contact tissue comprising a catheter tube having a distal end, a steerable supporting body integrally attached to and extending distally beyond the distal end of the catheter tube, the steerable supporting body having a distal region, a first electrode element carried on the steerable supporting body for contact with tissue, a support structure attached to and extending distally beyond the distal end of the catheter tube, the support structure being of a three dimensional form having an open interior, within which the steerable supporting body is located with the distal region of the steerable supporting body being detached from the support structure, a second electrode element carried by the support structure, and a mechanism to steer the steerable supporting body to move the first electrode element relative to the second electrode element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
An integrated probe for use within a heart to contact tissue comprising a catheter tube having a distal end, a steerable supporting body integrally attached to and extending distally beyond the distal end of the catheter tube, the steerable supporting body having a distal region, a first electrode element carried on the steerable supporting body for contact with tissue, a support structure attached to and extending distally beyond the distal end of the catheter tube, the support structure being of a three dimensional form having an open interior, within which the steerable supporting body is located with the distal region of the steerable supporting body being detached from the support structure, a second electrode element carried by the support structure, and a mechanism to steer the steerable supporting body to move the first electrode element relative to the second electrode element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A probe according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second electrode elements is operative for emitting energy to ablate myocardial tissue.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A probe according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second electrode elements is operative for sensing electrical activity in endocardial tissue.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A probe according to claim 1 wherein one of the first and second electrode elements is operative for sensing electrical activity in endocardial tissue, and wherein the other one of the first and second electrode elements is operative for emitting energy to ablate myocardial tissue.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A probe according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second electrode elements is operative in a first mode for sensing electrical activity in endocardial tissue and in a second mode for emitting energy to ablate myocardial tissue.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
129 words
A probe for use within the heart to contact tissue comprising a catheter tube having a proximal end and a distal end, a handle attached to the proximal end, a three dimensional structure on the distal end having an open interior area, the structure having an exterior surface for contacting tissue, a steerable electrode support carrying at least one electrode element and extending from the distal end of the catheter tube into the open interior area of the structure, the steerable electrode support having a movable distal end which is detached from the three dimensional structure, the steerable electrode support and the three dimensional structure both being integral with the catheter tube, and a mechanism on the handle to steer the steerable electrode support within the open interior area.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
129 words
A probe for use within the heart to contact tissue comprising a catheter tube having a proximal end and a distal end, a handle attached to the proximal end, a three dimensional structure on the distal end having an open interior area, the structure having an exterior surface for contacting tissue, a steerable electrode support carrying at least one electrode element and extending from the distal end of the catheter tube into the open interior area of the structure, the steerable electrode support having a movable distal end which is detached from the three dimensional structure, the steerable electrode support and the three dimensional structure both being integral with the catheter tube, and a mechanism on the handle to steer the steerable electrode support within the open interior area.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A probe according to claim 6 and further including a mechanism to collapse the three dimensional structure to close the open interior area and to expand the three dimensional structure to open the open interior area.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A probe according to claim 6 and further including a second electrode element on the exterior surface of the structure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A probe according to claim 8 wherein at least one of the first and second electrode elements is operative for sensing electrical activity in endocardial tissue.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A probe according to claim 8 wherein at least one of the first and second electrode elements is operative for emitting energy to ablate myocardial tissue.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A probe according to claim 6 wherein the at least one electrode element is operative for emitting energy to ablate myocardial tissue.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A probe according to claim 6 and further including a second electrode element on the exterior surface operative for sensing electrical activity in endocardial tissue.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A probe according to claim 12 wherein the first mentioned electrode element is operative for emitting energy to ablate myocardial tissue.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
A probe according to claim 13 wherein the second electrode element is further operative for emitting energy to ablate myocardial tissue.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
131 words
A probe for use within a living body comprising a catheter tube having a proximal end and a distal end, a handle attached to the proximal end, a three dimensional structure on the distal end having an open interior area, the structure having an exterior surface for contacting tissue within the living body, a steerable support body carrying at least one ablating element and extending from the distal end of the catheter tube into the open interior area of the structure, the steerable support body having a movable distal end which is detached from the three dimensional structure, the steerable support body and the three dimensional structure both being integral with the catheter tube, and a mechanism on the handle to steer the steerable support body within the open interior area.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
131 words
A probe for use within a living body comprising a catheter tube having a proximal end and a distal end, a handle attached to the proximal end, a three dimensional structure on the distal end having an open interior area, the structure having an exterior surface for contacting tissue within the living body, a steerable support body carrying at least one ablating element and extending from the distal end of the catheter tube into the open interior area of the structure, the steerable support body having a movable distal end which is detached from the three dimensional structure, the steerable support body and the three dimensional structure both being integral with the catheter tube, and a mechanism on the handle to steer the steerable support body within the open interior area.
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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) | 2002-03-15 | 2002-09-14 | 2003-03-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-03-15 | 2006-09-14 | 2007-03-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-03-15 | 2010-09-14 | 2011-03-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |