US6572609B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Phototherapeutic waveguide apparatus
Assignee: Cardiofocus Inc
•
Filing: 2000-06-23
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Granted: 2003-06-03
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Expires: 2020-06-23
Abstract
Abstract Methods and apparatus are disclosed for forming annular lesions in tissue. The methods include introduction of an optical apparatus proximate to a tissue site, via, for example, a catheter. The optical apparatus includes a pattern-forming optical waveguide in communication with a light transmitting optical fiber. Energy is transmitted through the optical fiber, such that radiation is propagated through the optical fiber and the waveguide projects an annular light pattern, e.g., a circle or a halo.
Inventors
- 👤 Norman E. Farr
- 👤 William E. Wieler
- 👤 Lincoln S. Baxter
- 👤 Jon T. McIntyre
- 👤 Edward L. Sinofsky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:52
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/22; A61B18/24; A61B18/245; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022; A61B2017/00057; A61B2017/00061; A61B2018/00964; A61B2018/0097; A61B2018/2255; A61B2018/2266; A61B2018/2272; A61B90/00; A61B90/06; A61B2090/064; A61B2090/065
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of treating a cardiac condition comprising, introducing a photoablation instrument into the heart, the instrument having an optical assembly for projecting a beam of radiation; positioning the photoablation instrument in a location within the heart where light from the optical assembly can be projected onto an inner surface of the heart; and exposing a region of the heart to projected radiation the optical assembly.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of treating a cardiac condition comprising, introducing a photoablation instrument into the heart, the instrument having an optical assembly for projecting a beam of radiation; positioning the photoablation instrument in a location within the heart where light from the optical assembly can be projected onto an inner surface of the heart; and exposing a region of the heart to projected radiation the optical assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of exposing a region of the heart further comprises exposing a region of atrial tissue surrounding a cardiac vessel opening to an annulus of radiation from the optical assembly, thereby forming an annular lesion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the mean diameter of the annular lesion is greater than 10 mm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the mean diameter of the annular lesion is greater than 15 mm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the mean diameter of the annular lesion is greater than 20 mm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the treatment occurs in a region surrounding at least one cardiac vessel selected from the group consisting of the pulmonary vein, the coronary sinus, the inferior vena cava and the superior vena cava.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the annular lesion has a width of less than 5 mm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the annular lesion has a width of less than 3 mm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the annular lesion has a width of less than 1 mm.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of treating atrial arrhythmia comprising: introducing a photoablation instrument into an atrium, the instrument having an optical assembly for projecting an annular beam of radiation; positioning the photoablation instrument in a location within the atrium where light from the optical assembly can be projected onto an inner surface of the atrium; and exposing a region of atrial tissue to an annulus of projected radiation from the optical assembly, thereby forming an annular lesion.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of treating atrial arrhythmia comprising: introducing a photoablation instrument into an atrium, the instrument having an optical assembly for projecting an annular beam of radiation; positioning the photoablation instrument in a location within the atrium where light from the optical assembly can be projected onto an inner surface of the atrium; and exposing a region of atrial tissue to an annulus of projected radiation from the optical assembly, thereby forming an annular lesion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 10 , wherein the projected light surrounds a pulmonary vein thereby forming an annular lesion within the heart around the pulmonary vein.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 10 , wherein the projected light surrounds the coronary sinus thereby forming an annular lesion within the heart around the coronary sinus.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of treating atrial arrhythmia comprising: introducing a photoablation instrument into an atrium, the instrument having an optical assembly for projecting a beam of radiation; positioning the photoablation instrument in a location within the atrium where light from the optical assembly can be projected onto an inner surface of the atrium; and exposing a region of atrial tissue surrounding a pulmonary vein to projected radiation from the optical assembly at a wavelength ranging from about 805 nm to about 1060 nm.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of treating atrial arrhythmia comprising: introducing a photoablation instrument into an atrium, the instrument having an optical assembly for projecting a beam of radiation; positioning the photoablation instrument in a location within the atrium where light from the optical assembly can be projected onto an inner surface of the atrium; and exposing a region of atrial tissue surrounding a pulmonary vein to projected radiation from the optical assembly at a wavelength ranging from about 805 nm to about 1060 nm.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the wavelength ranges from about 900 nm to about 1000 nm.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the wavelength ranges from about 940 nm to about 980 mm.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the energy and wavelength of the radiation are chosen to penetrate substantially the entire thickness of the atrial wall.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of treating atrial arrhythmia comprising: introducing a photoablation instrument into an atrium, the instrument having an optical assembly and an expandable balloon element adapted to surround the optical assembly upon inflation; inflating the balloon element with an inflation fluid, such that the inflated balloon provides a transmission pathway for radiation between the optical assembly and an inner surface of the atrium; and exposing a region of atrial tissue surrounding a pulmonary vein projected radiation from the optical assembly.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of treating atrial arrhythmia comprising: introducing a photoablation instrument into an atrium, the instrument having an optical assembly and an expandable balloon element adapted to surround the optical assembly upon inflation; inflating the balloon element with an inflation fluid, such that the inflated balloon provides a transmission pathway for radiation between the optical assembly and an inner surface of the atrium; and exposing a region of atrial tissue surrounding a pulmonary vein projected radiation from the optical assembly.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein the inflation fluid is deuterium oxide.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein the radiation has a wavelength range from about 900 nm to about 1000 nm.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein the radiation has a wavelength ranges from about 940 nm to about 980 nm.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein the energy and wavelength of the radiation are chosen to penetrate substantially the entire thickness of the atrial wall.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein the radiation is projected as an annular beam, thereby forming an annular lesion.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 22 , wherein the mean diameter of the annular lesion is greater than 10 mm.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 22 , wherein the mean diameter of the annular lesion is greater than 15 mm.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 22 , wherein the mean diameter of the annular lesion is greater than 20 mm.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 22 , wherein the treatment occurs without substantial ablation of pulmonary vein tissue.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 22 , wherein the annular lesion has a width of less than 5 mm.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 22 , wherein the annular lesion has a width of less than 3 mm.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 22 , wherein the annular lesion has a width of less than 1 mm.
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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) | 2006-06-02 | 2006-12-02 | 2007-06-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-06-02 | 2010-12-02 | 2011-06-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-06-02 | 2014-12-02 | 2015-06-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |