Patent US6493589B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6493589B1
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US
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Methods and apparatus for treatment of pulmonary conditions
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
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Filing: 2000-08-10
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Granted: 2002-12-10
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Expires: 2020-08-10
Abstract
Abstract Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for introducing a conductive fluid and delivering an electrical current to the fluid at a target site in a body lumen. The electrical current is delivered to the site by a conductive electrode through the conductive fluid, causing the tissues in the lumen walls, or peripheral to the lumen walls, to heat and contract. Application of the current can be discontinued when the lumen wall has contracted or been reduced to the desired extent, which will often be complete occlusion. Alternatively, the current can be applied until tissues peripheral to the lumen are effected.
Inventors
- 👤 Adel M. Medhkour
- 👤 Michael F. Hoey
- 👤 Peter M. J. Mulier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:31
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/362; A61N1/37; A61N1/3702; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1492; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00541; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/1435; A61B2018/144; A61B2018/1472; A61B5/00; A61B5/103; A61B5/11; A61B5/1107
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
37 words
A method for treating a pulmonary condition comprising: delivering a conductive fluid to a lumen of a pulmonary airway; applying electrical energy to the conductive fluid for an effective period of time to treat the pulmonary condition.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
37 words
A method for treating a pulmonary condition comprising: delivering a conductive fluid to a lumen of a pulmonary airway; applying electrical energy to the conductive fluid for an effective period of time to treat the pulmonary condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the electrical energy is radiofrequency (rf) energy.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein the rf energy is applied by an electrosurgical device comprising: a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends; and an electrode which can pass through the lumen for providing the rf energy to the conductive fluid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 3 wherein the electrode has a proximal end which is attachable to an energy source and a distal tip for providing the rf energy to the conductive fluid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 4 wherein the electrode includes a fluid passage for delivering the conductive fluid to the pulmonary airway.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method according to claim 3 wherein the electrode is monopolar.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein the pulmonary airway is a bronchiole.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein the pulmonary airway is a bronchi.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein the pulmonary condition is a pneumothorax.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein the pulmonary condition is emphysema.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the electrical energy is applied for a period of time sufficient to occlude the pulmonary airway.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the electrical energy is applied for a period of time sufficient to shrink pulmonary tissue peripheral to the pulmonary airway.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 12 wherein the electrical energy is applied for a period of time and with power sufficient to occlude at least one pulmonary blood vessel peripheral to the pulmonary airway.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 12 wherein the pulmonary airway supplies blood to a pulmonary tumor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the electrical energy is applied with a bi-polar electrosurgical device.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
61 words
A method for treating a pulmonary condition, the method comprising the steps of: passing an electrosurgical device into a pulmonary airway supplying a portion of a lung; collapsing the portion of lung supplied by the airway; delivering a conductive fluid to the pulmonary airway; energizing the electrosurgical device to deliver electrical energy to the conductive fluid to treat the pulmonary condition.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
61 words
A method for treating a pulmonary condition, the method comprising the steps of: passing an electrosurgical device into a pulmonary airway supplying a portion of a lung; collapsing the portion of lung supplied by the airway; delivering a conductive fluid to the pulmonary airway; energizing the electrosurgical device to deliver electrical energy to the conductive fluid to treat the pulmonary condition.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 16 wherein the portion of lung is passively collapsed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 16 wherein delivery of the electrical energy causes occlusion of blood vessels supplying blood to the portion of lung.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 18 wherein the portion of lung contains a tumor.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method according to claim 16 wherein the device comprises: a catheter, the catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen passing from the proximal to distal end; and an electrode which passes through the lumen of the catheter.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 20 wherein the method is performed using a minimally invasive procedure.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 16 wherein the electrosurgical device is passed into the pulmonary airway to a position determined by using an external visualization system.
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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) | 2005-12-09 | 2006-06-10 | 2006-12-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-12-09 | 2010-06-10 | 2010-12-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-12-09 | 2014-06-10 | 2014-12-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |