Patent US6002955A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6002955A
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Stabilized electrophysiology catheter and method for use
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
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Filing: 1997-10-14
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Granted: 1999-12-14
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Expires: 2017-10-14
Abstract
Abstract A stabilized electrophysiology catheter (4) includes a main body portion (16) and a flexible tip portion (18). A plurality of electrodes (24, 26) are positioned along the tip portion. The tip portion includes a main section (20) and a pre-curved, offset, reverse-angle anchor section (22) at its distal end. The anchor section is shaped to engage with and anchor to a coronary opening, typically the coronary sinus opening (48) in the right atrium or a pulmonary vein opening (82) in the left atrium, for stabilized mapping and ablation of the right atrium or the left atrium. A manipulator wire (36) is used to radially deflect the tip portion in a first direction (40). When introduced through the superior vena cava (46), the tip portion forms a generally J-shape. When introduced through the inferior vena cava (54), the tip portion is deflected more than 360°.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephan Willems
- 👤 Christian Weiss
- 👤 Frank Nguyen
- 👤 John W. Gaiser
- 👤 Scott A. McIntosh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 11:12
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/0105; A61M25/0133; A61M25/0147; A61M25/0021; A61M25/0041; A61M25/0067; A61M25/0068; A61M25/0144; A61M25/0152; A61M2025/0161; A61M25/008; A61M25/0082
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for positioning an electrophysiology catheter comprising the following steps: selecting an electrophysiology catheter having a tip portion with a radially deflectable main section and a straight anchor section defining an angle in the range of 45 to 180°; introducing the tip portion of the electrophysiology catheter into a heart chamber; adjusting a stiffness of the tip portion after the introducing step; inserting at least a part of the anchor section into an opening in a wall of the heart chamber; and manipulating the main section of the tip portion so at least a part of said main portion presses against the chamber wall along a desired path.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for positioning an electrophysiology catheter comprising the following steps: selecting an electrophysiology catheter having a tip portion with a radially deflectable main section and a straight anchor section defining an angle in the range of 45 to 180°; introducing the tip portion of the electrophysiology catheter into a heart chamber; adjusting a stiffness of the tip portion after the introducing step; inserting at least a part of the anchor section into an opening in a wall of the heart chamber; and manipulating the main section of the tip portion so at least a part of said main portion presses against the chamber wall along a desired path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said selecting step is carried out by selecting an electrophysiology catheter having at least two electrodes along said main section and at least two electrodes along said anchor section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein said selecting step is carried out so that said electrodes comprise ablation-capable electrodes along at least one of said main section and said anchor section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said introducing step comprises the step of passing the tip portion through an inferior vena cava and into a right atrium, and the inserting step is carried out using an opening to a coronary sinus as said opening in the wall of the heart chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 4 wherein said introducing step includes the step of radially deflecting said tip portion more than 360°.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said manipulating step is carried out with said desired path extending along a tricuspid valve annulus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said introducing step comprises the step of passing the tip portion through a superior vena cava and into a right atrium, and the inserting step is carried out using an opening to a coronary sinus as said opening in the wall of the heart chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 7 wherein said manipulating step is carried out with said desired path extending along a tricuspid valve annulus.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said introducing step comprises the step of passing the tip portion through transseptal puncture and into a left atrium, and the inserting step is carried out using an opening to a pulmonary vein as said opening in the wall of the heart chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said manipulating step comprises the steps of radially and laterally deflecting said tip portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said manipulating step comprises the step of laterally deflecting said tip portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 11 wherein said laterally deflecting step is carried out by torquing a core wire having a distal end connected to the tip portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 11 wherein said laterally deflecting step is carried out by torquing the catheter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the selecting step is carried out so the anchor section is about 4 cm long and extends at an angle of about 140° to the main section.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the anchor section is an offset, reverse-angle anchor section.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for performing an electrophysiology procedure comprising the following steps: selecting an electrophysiology catheter having a tip portion with a radially deflectable main section and an offset anchor section at the distal end of the tip portion; introducing the tip portion of the electrophysiology catheter into a heart chamber; adjusting a stiffness of the tip portion after the introducing step; inserting at least a part of the anchor section into an opening in a wall of the heart chamber; positioning the main section of the tip portion against the chamber wall along a desired path operating said electrodes; and operating said electrodes.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for performing an electrophysiology procedure comprising the following steps: selecting an electrophysiology catheter having a tip portion with a radially deflectable main section and an offset anchor section at the distal end of the tip portion; introducing the tip portion of the electrophysiology catheter into a heart chamber; adjusting a stiffness of the tip portion after the introducing step; inserting at least a part of the anchor section into an opening in a wall of the heart chamber; positioning the main section of the tip portion against the chamber wall along a desired path operating said electrodes; and operating said electrodes.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 16 wherein the operating step is carried out by using the electrodes to map said desired path.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 16 wherein the operating step is carried out using the electrodes to ablate tissue along at least one of the main section and anchor section.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 16 wherein the positioning step is carried out so at least a portion of the desired path is along a tricuspid annulus.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
147 words
A stabilized electrophysiology catheter comprising: a catheter shaft having a main body portion and a flexible tip portion, the tip portion terminating at a distal end; a plurality of electrodes along said tip portion; a manipulator element extending along the catheter shaft; a first radial deflector element, extending along the catheter shaft, coupled to the tip portion whereby at least a part of the main section of the tip portion is radially deflectable in a first direction by longitudinal movement of the manipulator element; and the tip portion having an adjustable stiffness and comprising a main section and a distal section at said distal end of said tip portion, said distal section comprising a straight anchor section defining an angle in the range of 45 to 180° between the straight anchor section and the main section and configured to engage with an anchor to a coronary opening.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
147 words
A stabilized electrophysiology catheter comprising: a catheter shaft having a main body portion and a flexible tip portion, the tip portion terminating at a distal end; a plurality of electrodes along said tip portion; a manipulator element extending along the catheter shaft; a first radial deflector element, extending along the catheter shaft, coupled to the tip portion whereby at least a part of the main section of the tip portion is radially deflectable in a first direction by longitudinal movement of the manipulator element; and the tip portion having an adjustable stiffness and comprising a main section and a distal section at said distal end of said tip portion, said distal section comprising a straight anchor section defining an angle in the range of 45 to 180° between the straight anchor section and the main section and configured to engage with an anchor to a coronary opening.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
The catheter according to claim 20 wherein the straight anchor section is an offset, reverse-angle anchor section extending in a second direction generally opposite said first direction.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The catheter according to claim 20 wherein said tip portion is configurable to a generally J-shaped configuration when introduced through a superior vena cava.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The catheter according to claim 20 wherein said tip portion is configurable to an overlapping loop configuration when introduced through an inferior vena cava.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The catheter according to claim 20 wherein said anchor section is a pre-formed section.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The catheter according to claim 20 wherein the anchor section is about 4 cm long and the angle is about 140°.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
The catheter according to claim 20 wherein the manipulator element is capable of deflecting the main portion at least 180°.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
The catheter according to claim 20 wherein said catheter shaft comprises a torquable core wire non-rotatably coupled to the tip portion.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
The catheter according to claim 20 wherein said electrodes extend along said main section and said anchor section.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
The catheter according to claim 20 wherein said anchor section is configured to engage with and anchor to an opening to a coronary sinus.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
12 words
The catheter according to claim 20 wherein said electrodes are mapping electrodes.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
27 words
The catheter according to claim 20 further comprising a longitudinally-movable stiffening mandrel within the catheter shaft so said deflectable main section is an adjustable-radius, deflectable main section.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
37 words
The catheter according to claim 20 further comprising a second radial deflector element, whereby actuating the second radial deflector element when the main section is in a curved configuration causes the curved main section to deflect laterally.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
52 words
The catheter according to claim 32 wherein the deflectable main section is movable into an overlapping loop configuration, wherein actuating the second radial deflector element causes the looped main section to be deflected laterally to position the electrodes at an angle approximating that of the tricuspid valve annulus of the right atrium.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
45 words
The catheter according to claim 20 wherein the tip portion is movable to an overlapping loop configuration so that torquing the main body portion of the catheter shaft causes the looped tip portion to be positioned at an angle approximating that of a tricuspid annulus.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for performing an electrophysiology procedure with a single electrophysiology catheter comprising the following steps: selecting an electrophysiology catheter having a tip portion with a radially deflectable main section and a straight anchor section defining an angle in the range of 45 to 180°, said tip portion having electrodes therealong; introducing the tip portion of the electrophysiology catheter into a main heart chamber; adjusting a stiffness of the tip portion after the introducing step; engaging the anchor section to an opening with the heart chamber; manipulating the tip portion so at least a part of the main section presses against the chamber wall along a desired path; and using the electrodes to perform a desired electrophysiology procedure.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for performing an electrophysiology procedure with a single electrophysiology catheter comprising the following steps: selecting an electrophysiology catheter having a tip portion with a radially deflectable main section and a straight anchor section defining an angle in the range of 45 to 180°, said tip portion having electrodes therealong; introducing the tip portion of the electrophysiology catheter into a main heart chamber; adjusting a stiffness of the tip portion after the introducing step; engaging the anchor section to an opening with the heart chamber; manipulating the tip portion so at least a part of the main section presses against the chamber wall along a desired path; and using the electrodes to perform a desired electrophysiology procedure.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 35 wherein the method is carried out with the main heart chamber being the right atrium and the opening being a coronary sinus.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 35 wherein the method is carried out with the main heart chamber being the left atrium and the opening being an opening to a pulmonary vein.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 35 wherein the manipulating step is carried out so the tip portion assumes an overlapping loop configuration.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 38 wherein the manipulating step comprises the step of torquing a proximal end of the catheter to cause the looped tip portion to be positioned against a tricuspid valve annulus.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 38 wherein the manipulating step comprises the step of deflecting a second radially deflectable section to cause the looped tip portion to be positioned against a tricuspid valve annulus.
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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) | 2002-12-13 | 2003-06-14 | 2003-12-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-12-13 | 2007-06-14 | 2007-12-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-12-13 | 2011-06-14 | 2011-12-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |