Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for treating arrhythmias using an implanted medical device, comprising the steps of: implanting in a patient the medical device including a detection circuit and a source of electrical energy, the energy source being coupled to delivery means implanted in the region of a targeted part of myocardial tissue; detecting an arrhythmia with the detection circuit; and, in response to detection of the arrhythmia, delivering electrical energy to the targeted part of myocardial tissue from the energy source through the delivery means in such a manner as to create a transient conduction block by localized heating of the targeted part of the myocardial tissue without causing permanent damage to the targeted part of the myocardial tissue.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for treating arrhythmias using an implanted medical device, comprising the steps of: implanting in a patient the medical device including a detection circuit and a source of electrical energy, the energy source being coupled to delivery means implanted in the region of a targeted part of myocardial tissue; detecting an arrhythmia with the detection circuit; and, in response to detection of the arrhythmia, delivering electrical energy to the targeted part of myocardial tissue from the energy source through the delivery means in such a manner as to create a transient conduction block by localized heating of the targeted part of the myocardial tissue without causing permanent damage to the targeted part of the myocardial tissue.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the step of implanting a delivery electrode proximate a portion of the myocardial tissue which includes a reentrant pathway which is required to sustain the detected arrhythmia.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the delivering step is carried out by delivering the electrical energy for a prescribed period of time.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the delivering step is carried out by delivering the electrical energy until the arrhythmia is no longer detected.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the delivering step is carried out by delivering the electrical energy for a prescribed period of time which is sufficient to ensure that the transient conduction block is maintained long enough so that the arrhythmia can no longer be sustained.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the delivering step is carried out by delivering the electrical energy for a prescribed period of time which is sufficient to ensure that the transient conduction block is maintained long enough for the arrhythmia to become sufficiently organized to be terminated with additional low energy therapy.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the delivering step is carried out by delivering the electrical energy using a catheter-based electrode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as set forth in claim 7, further comprising the step of positioning the catheter-based electrode in direct contact with the targeted part of the myocardial tissue.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the steps of: identifying a portion of the myocardial tissue which constitutes a critical part of a reentrant circuit which is required to sustain the detected arrhythmia; and, selecting the identified portion of the myocardial tissue as the targeted part of the myocardial tissue.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as set forth in claim 9, wherein the detecting step is carried out by detecting at least one of atrial fibrillation, ventricular fibrillation, and atrial flutter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as set forth in claim 9, wherein the delivering step is carried out by delivering the electrical energy for a prescribed period of time.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as set forth in claim 9, wherein the delivering step is carried out by delivering the electrical energy until the arrhythmia is no longer detected.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the delivering step is carried out by delivering the electrical energy in the form of RF energy.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the delivering step is carried out by delivering the electrical energy in the form of pulsed RF energy.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the delivering step is carried out by delivering the electrical energy in the form of continuous DC energy.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the delivering step is carried out by delivering the electrical energy in the form of pulsed DC energy.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the method is carried out using an automatic implantable defibrillator.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the step of positioning a catheter-based electrode in direct contact with the targeted part of the myocardial tissue, whereby the delivering step is carried out by delivering the electrical energy using the catheter-based electrode, the electrical energy being a selected one of continuous RF energy, pulsed RF energy, continuous DC energy, and pulsed DC energy.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the step of delivering additional cardiac therapy in the event the detected arrhythmia is not terminated by the transient conduction block.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as set forth in claim 19, wherein the additional cardiac therapy comprises one of cardioversion and defibrillation therapy.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method as set forth in claim 20, further comprising the step of again delivering electrical energy to the targeted part of the myocardial tissue in such a manner as to create a further transient conduction block in the targeted part of the myocardial tissue without causing permanent damage to the targeted part of the myocardial tissue.