US6070094A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Systems and methods for guiding movable electrode elements within multiple-electrode structures
Assignee: EP Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1999-02-26
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Granted: 2000-05-30
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Expires: 2019-02-26
Abstract
Abstract Systems and related methods guide a movable electrode within an array of multiple electrodes located within the body. The systems and methods employ the movable electrode or at least one of the multiple electrodes on the array to generate and then sense electrical or sonic energy in a predetermined fashion to generates an output that locates the movable electrode within the array.
Inventors
- 👤 David K. Swanson
- 👤 Dorin Panescu
- 👤 James G. Whayne
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:12
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1492; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/06; A61B18/18; A61B18/1815; A61B17/00; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00292; A61B2017/003; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/0016; A61B2018/00214; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00345; A61B2018/00351; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00696; A61B2018/0075; A61B2018/00755; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00839; A61B2018/00875; A61B90/00; A61B90/36; A61B90/37; A61B2090/378; A61B2090/3782; A61B2562/00; A61B2562/04; A61B2562/043; A61B5/00; A61B5/68; A61B5/6846; A61B5/6847; A61B5/6852; A61B5/6858; A61B5/72; A61B5/7203; A61B5/7217
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A catheter system, comprising: an array of multiple electrodes, an electrode movable relative to the array, an emitting ultrasound transducer located adjacent one of the movable electrode and an electrode in the array; an ultrasound generator coupled to the emitting ultrasound transducer; a sensing ultrasound transducer located adjacent the other of the movable electrode and the electrode in the array; an ultrasound receiver coupled to the sensing ultrasound transducer; and a processor coupled to the ultrasound generator and the ultrasound receiver, the processor configured to provide an output that locates the movable electrode relative to the array.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
A catheter system, comprising: an array of multiple electrodes, an electrode movable relative to the array, an emitting ultrasound transducer located adjacent one of the movable electrode and an electrode in the array; an ultrasound generator coupled to the emitting ultrasound transducer; a sensing ultrasound transducer located adjacent the other of the movable electrode and the electrode in the array; an ultrasound receiver coupled to the sensing ultrasound transducer; and a processor coupled to the ultrasound generator and the ultrasound receiver, the processor configured to provide an output that locates the movable electrode relative to the array.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the output provided by the processor is based on a time delay between an emission of ultrasonic energy by the emitting ultrasound transducer and a sensing of the ultrasonic energy by the sensing ultrasound transducer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the emitting ultrasound transducer is located adjacent the movable electrode, and the sensing ultrasound transducer is located adjacent the electrode in the array.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising a display coupled to the processor to present the output in a real time format that continuously locates the movable electrode relative to the array.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the movable electrode is coupled to a source of ablation energy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the movable electrode is located on a movable catheter body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
80 words
A catheter system, comprising: an array of multiple electrodes, an electrode movable relative to the array, an emitting ultrasound transducer located adjacent the movable electrode; an ultrasound generator coupled to the emitting ultrasound transducer; a plurality of sensing ultrasound transducers, each sensing ultrasound transducer located adjacent a respective electrode in the array; and a processor coupled to the ultrasound generator and the ultrasound receiver, the processor configured to provide an output that locates the movable electrode relative to the array.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
80 words
A catheter system, comprising: an array of multiple electrodes, an electrode movable relative to the array, an emitting ultrasound transducer located adjacent the movable electrode; an ultrasound generator coupled to the emitting ultrasound transducer; a plurality of sensing ultrasound transducers, each sensing ultrasound transducer located adjacent a respective electrode in the array; and a processor coupled to the ultrasound generator and the ultrasound receiver, the processor configured to provide an output that locates the movable electrode relative to the array.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 7, wherein the output provided by the processor is based on a time delay between an emission of ultrasonic energy by the emitting ultrasound transducer and a sensing of the ultrasonic energy by each of the sensing ultrasound transducers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 8, wherein the output is based on triangulation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 7, further comprising a display coupled to the processor to present the output in a real time format that continuously locates the movable electrode relative to the array.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for guiding a movable electrode relative to an array of multiple electrodes, comprising: placing the movable electrode within an interior space of the array; emitting ultrasonic energy from an emitting ultrasound transducer located adjacent one of the movable electrode and an electrode of the array; sensing the ultrasonic energy with a sensing ultrasound transducer located at the other of the movable electrode and an electrode of the array; and generating an output based on the sensed ultrasonic energy, the output providing information that locates the movable electrode relative to the array.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for guiding a movable electrode relative to an array of multiple electrodes, comprising: placing the movable electrode within an interior space of the array; emitting ultrasonic energy from an emitting ultrasound transducer located adjacent one of the movable electrode and an electrode of the array; sensing the ultrasonic energy with a sensing ultrasound transducer located at the other of the movable electrode and an electrode of the array; and generating an output based on the sensed ultrasonic energy, the output providing information that locates the movable electrode relative to the array.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the output is based on a time delay between an emission of ultrasonic energy by the emitting ultrasound transducer and a sensing of the ultrasonic energy by the sensing ultrasound transducer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the emitting ultrasound transducer is located adjacent the movable electrode, and the sensing ultrasound transducer is located adjacent an electrode of the array.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for guiding a movable electrode relative to an array of multiple electrodes, comprising: placing the movable electrode within an interior space of the array; emitting ultrasonic energy from an emitting ultrasound transducer located adjacent the movable electrode; sensing the ultrasonic energy with a plurality of ultrasound transducers located adjacent respective electrodes of the array; and generating an output based on the sensed ultrasonic energy the output providing information that locates the movable electrode relative to the array.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for guiding a movable electrode relative to an array of multiple electrodes, comprising: placing the movable electrode within an interior space of the array; emitting ultrasonic energy from an emitting ultrasound transducer located adjacent the movable electrode; sensing the ultrasonic energy with a plurality of ultrasound transducers located adjacent respective electrodes of the array; and generating an output based on the sensed ultrasonic energy the output providing information that locates the movable electrode relative to the array.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 14, wherein the output is based on a time delay between an emission of ultrasonic energy by the emitting ultrasound transducer and a sensing of the ultrasonic energy by each of the sensing ultrasound transducers.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the output is based on triangulation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 14, wherein the location of the movable electrode relative to the array is continuously displayed in a real time format.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 14, further comprising locating the array in contact with tissue within a heart and locating foci appropriate for ablation by sensing electrical activity in the tissue.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
80 words
A catheter assembly, comprising: an array of multiple electrodes having an interior space, an electrode movable relative to the array, an emitting ultrasound transducer configured for generating an ultrasonic field within the interior space, the emitting ultrasound transducer located adjacent one of the movable electrode and an electrode in the array; and a sensing ultrasound transducer configured for sensing the ultrasonic field, the sensing ultrasound transducer located adjacent the other of the movable electrode and an electrode in the array.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
80 words
A catheter assembly, comprising: an array of multiple electrodes having an interior space, an electrode movable relative to the array, an emitting ultrasound transducer configured for generating an ultrasonic field within the interior space, the emitting ultrasound transducer located adjacent one of the movable electrode and an electrode in the array; and a sensing ultrasound transducer configured for sensing the ultrasonic field, the sensing ultrasound transducer located adjacent the other of the movable electrode and an electrode in the array.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The assembly of claim 19, wherein the emitting ultrasound transducer is located adjacent the movable electrode, and the sensing ultrasound transducer is located adjacent the electrode in the array.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The assembly of claim 19, wherein the movable electrode and the array are located on separate catheter bodies.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
45 words
The assembly of claim 19, further comprising a plurality of sensing ultrasound transducers configured for sensing the ultrasonic field, each of the sensing ultrasound transducers located adjacent a respective electrode of the array, and wherein the emitting ultrasound transducer is located adjacent the movable electrode.
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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) | 2003-05-30 | 2003-11-29 | 2004-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-05-30 | 2007-11-29 | 2008-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-05-30 | 2011-11-29 | 2012-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |