US5967976A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and methods for procedures related to the electrophysiology of the heart
Assignee: Novoste Corp
•
Filing: 1996-11-08
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Granted: 1999-10-19
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Expires: 2016-11-08
Abstract
Abstract Methods and apparatus are disclosed for use in procedures related to the electrophysiology of the heart, such as identifying or evaluating the electrical activity of the heart, diagnosing and/or treating conditions associated with the electrophysiology of the heart. An apparatus having thermocouple elements of different electromotive potential conductively connected at a junction is introduced into the interior of the heart and a section of heart tissue is contacted with the junction. An electrical current is passed through the thermocouple elements to reduce the temperature of the junction in accordance with the Peltier effect and thereby cool the contacted heart tissue. The effect of the cooling may be monitored and, if desired the section of heart tissue may be treated.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles E. Larsen
- 👤 Roelof Trip
- 👤 Cheryl R. Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 08:36
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/02; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1492; A61B5/00; A61B5/24; A61B5/25; A61B5/279; A61B5/28; A61B5/283; A61B5/287; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/20; A61N1/28; H; H10; H10N; H10N10/00; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022; A61B2017/00039; A61B2017/00044; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00243; A61B2018/00005; A61B2018/00047; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00059; A61B2018/00071; A61B2018/00083; A61B2018/00089; A61B2018/00095; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00791; A61B2018/00797; A61B2018/00821; A61B2018/0212; A61B2018/0231; A61B2018/0237; A61B2018/0243
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
Apparatus for use in cardiac procedures, said apparatus including an elongated body with a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, said distal end portion comprising at least two thermocouple elements located within said distal end portion, each of said thermocouple elements having a first end and a second end; said thermocouple elements being conductively connected at said first ends at a junction; at least one heat sink conductively connected to the second end of at least one thermocouple element; whereby application of a voltage across said thermocouple elements in accordance with the Peltier effect affects the temperature of said junction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
Apparatus for use in cardiac procedures, said apparatus including an elongated body with a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, said distal end portion comprising at least two thermocouple elements located within said distal end portion, each of said thermocouple elements having a first end and a second end; said thermocouple elements being conductively connected at said first ends at a junction; at least one heat sink conductively connected to the second end of at least one thermocouple element; whereby application of a voltage across said thermocouple elements in accordance with the Peltier effect affects the temperature of said junction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an energy source wherein said junction is conductively connected to said energy source for heating said junction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said energy source provides radiofrequency energy to said junction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 comprising a distal end cap conductively connected to and disposed over said junction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said distal end cap is disposed over a portion of said thermocouple elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said distal end cap is made of silver.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 comprising at least two pole rings spaced along said distal end portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein pole rings are proximally spaced from said junction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein one of said pole rings is distally spaced from said junction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said pole rings comprise electrodes for monitoring the electrical activity of the heart.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said pole rings are made of a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel and platinum iridium.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 7 comprising at least one annular groove in said body for receiving said pole ring.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said distal end portion comprises an angled distal tip.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a fixture for supporting said thermocouple elements and said heat sink within said distal end portion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said heat sink is made of a conductive material selected from the group consisting of gold and silver.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 1 comprising at least two heat sinks, each of said heat sinks having a first end and a second end, wherein the first ends of said heat sinks are conductively connected to said second ends of said thermocouple elements.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 16 comprising a source for providing current in accordance with the Peltier effect, wherein said second ends of said heat sinks are conductively connected to said source.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said heat sink is at least of substantially comparable size to said thermocouple element conductively connected to said heat sink.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said heat sink is greater in size than said thermocouple element.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said heat sink is approximately twice as long as said thermocouple element.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said junction is connected to a temperature sensor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 comprising a first thermocouple element and a second thermocouple element wherein said first thermocouple element is proximally located relative to said second thermocouple element.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said thermocouple elements are disposed in a parallel arrangement.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said thermocouple elements have differing electromotive potentials.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for treating electrophysiological disorders in the heart comprising: introducing an apparatus into the interior of the heart, said apparatus having elements of different electromotive potential, said elements being conductively connected at a junction; contacting the interior of the heart at a selected location with the junction; passing an electrical current through said elements to reduce the temperature of the junction in accordance with the Peltier effect and thereby cool the contacted heart tissue without damaging the heart tissue; monitoring for the effect of the cooling on the heart to determine whether the source of the electrophysiological disorder has been located; treating the heart tissue to substantially permanently interrupt said source of the electrophysiological disorder by introducing heat energy to said junction and thereby ablate said source while continuing to pass electrical current in accordance with the Peltier effect through said elements.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for treating electrophysiological disorders in the heart comprising: introducing an apparatus into the interior of the heart, said apparatus having elements of different electromotive potential, said elements being conductively connected at a junction; contacting the interior of the heart at a selected location with the junction; passing an electrical current through said elements to reduce the temperature of the junction in accordance with the Peltier effect and thereby cool the contacted heart tissue without damaging the heart tissue; monitoring for the effect of the cooling on the heart to determine whether the source of the electrophysiological disorder has been located; treating the heart tissue to substantially permanently interrupt said source of the electrophysiological disorder by introducing heat energy to said junction and thereby ablate said source while continuing to pass electrical current in accordance with the Peltier effect through said elements.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the temperature of said junction does not exceed 60° C.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the temperature of said junction prior to treating said heart tissue is between 6 and 15° C.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 25 comprising providing said electrical current from a first energy source and introducing said heat energy to said junction from an energy source that is separate from the source providing said electrical current.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 28 wherein said separate energy source comprises a radio frequency generator.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 28 wherein said separate energy source comprises a microwave source.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 25 comprising extracting heat from said elements.
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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) | 2002-10-18 | 2003-04-19 | 2003-10-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-10-18 | 2007-04-19 | 2007-10-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-10-18 | 2011-04-19 | 2011-10-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |