US6527767B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Cardiac ablation system and method for treatment of cardiac arrhythmias and transmyocardial revascularization
Assignee: Tufts Medical Center Inc
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Filing: 1998-05-20
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Granted: 2003-03-04
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Expires: 2018-05-20
Abstract
Abstract A medical device, and related method, use epicardial ablators and detectors for intraoperative epicardial approaches to ablation therapy of cardiac conduction pathways. An epicardial gripper is sized to grasp the cardiac circumference or smaller structures on the epicardial surface of the heart. Ablators are disposed on the arms of the gripper for epicardial ablation of cardiac conduction tissue. In another embodiment of the invention, an electrode system includes a flexible, adjustable probe forming a loop for epicardial ablation. Ablators are provided on one or multiple surfaces of the probe for epicardial ablation of cardiac conduction tissue. In yet another embodiment of the invention, an endocardial ablator detection system provides an indicator adjacent an ablator on an endocardial catheter, and a detector on an epicardial probe. The epicardial probe detects signals transmitted by the indicator on the endocardial catheter to localize the position of the endocardial ablator relative to the epicardial surface. The surgeon uses this information for guidance in adjusting the position of the endocardial ablator according to therapeutic objectives of cardiac ablation.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul J. Wang
- 👤 Hassan Rastegar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:45
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1442; A61B18/1445; A61B17/00; A61B17/28; A61B17/29; A61B2017/2926; A61B2017/2945; A61B18/02; A61B2018/0212; A61B2018/0225; A61B2018/0231; A61B2018/0262; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/1425; A61B2018/1432; A61B2018/1467
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A method of ablating cardiac tissue from an epicardial location, comprising the steps of: providing an ablating device having a plurality of ablating elements, the plurality of ablating elements being coupled to a substrate, the substrate forming a loop with the ablating elements positioned on a radially inner surface of the loop, wherein the ablating elements direct energy inward and not outward relative to the loop to prevent damaging tissue outside the loop; positioning the ablating device at an epicardial surface so that the loop is positioned around a cardiac structure; and ablating tissue with the ablating elements thereby ablating tissue around the cardiac structure to treat a cardiac arrhythmia.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
110 words
A method of ablating cardiac tissue from an epicardial location, comprising the steps of: providing an ablating device having a plurality of ablating elements, the plurality of ablating elements being coupled to a substrate, the substrate forming a loop with the ablating elements positioned on a radially inner surface of the loop, wherein the ablating elements direct energy inward and not outward relative to the loop to prevent damaging tissue outside the loop; positioning the ablating device at an epicardial surface so that the loop is positioned around a cardiac structure; and ablating tissue with the ablating elements thereby ablating tissue around the cardiac structure to treat a cardiac arrhythmia.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the ablating elements directing energy radially inward relative to the loop.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the loop being a closed loop.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein: the positioning step is carried out with the loop being self-retaining around the cardiac structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the device having a band-like shape.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the loop generally lying in a plane with the ablating elements directing energy radially inward, the device being flexible to permit bending between the ablating elements while still substantially maintaining the loop on the plane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the plurality of ablating elements being spaced apart.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein: the ablating step is carried out by turning at least some of the ablating elements on and off.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein: the ablating step is carried out with the ablating elements being turned on and off sequentially.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein: the ablating step is carried out by turning the ablating elements on and off in a specified pattern.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of: using ultrasound to assess whether the contact surface is in contact with the epicardial surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of: using ultrasound to determine the depth of ablation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein: the ablating step is carried out to treat tachycardia.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of: cooling the ablating elements.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with the ablating elements being an element selected from the group consisting of RF, ultrasound, laser, and cryogenic elements.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein: the providing step is carried out with a contact surface of the ablating element being curved.
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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) | 2006-03-03 | 2006-09-02 | 2007-03-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-03-03 | 2010-09-02 | 2011-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-03-03 | 2014-09-02 | 2015-03-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |