Patent US1959178A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6706039B2
Expired / Lapsed
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Method and apparatus for creating a bi-polar virtual electrode used for the ablation of tissue
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
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Filing: 2001-05-25
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Granted: 2004-03-16
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Expires: 2021-05-25
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for creating a virtual electrode to ablate bodily tissue. The apparatus includes an outer tube, a first electrode, an inner tube and a second electrode. The outer tube is fluidly connected to a source of conductive fluid and defines a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end includes an opening for delivering conductive fluid from the outer tube. The first electrode is disposed at the distal end of the outer tube for applying a current to conductive fluid delivered from the outer tube. The inner tube is coaxially received within the outer tube and is connected to a source of conductive fluid. The inner tube defines a proximal end and a distal end, with the distal end forming an opening for delivering conductive fluid from the inner tube. Finally, the second electrode is disposed at the distal end of the inner tube for applying a current to conductive fluid delivered from the inner tube. With this configuration, upon final assembly, the distal end of the outer tube is axially spaced from the distal end of the inner tube such that the first electrode is spaced from the second electrode. As a result, a bi-polar virtual electrode can be established.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter M. J. Mulier
- 👤 Michael F. Hoey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:59
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1482; A61B2018/00005; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00273; A61B2018/00291; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00642; A61B2018/00696; A61B2018/00702; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00791; A61B2018/00875; A61B18/1206; A61B2018/1246; A61B2018/126; A61B2018/1472; A61B2218/00; A61B2218/001; A61B2218/002; A61B2218/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
289 words
A method for the treatment of tissue, the method comprising: providing a tissue; providing an electric current; providing an electrically conductive fluid; providing an apparatus for the treatment of the tissue, the apparatus configured to dispense the electrically conductive fluid to the tissue and apply the electric current to the tissue through the conductive fluid, the apparatus comprising: a bipolar electrode configuration comprising a first electrode spaced from a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode both uncovered and configured to be exposed to and adjacent to the tissue; the first electrode located at the distal end of a first tube, the first tube providing a first tube flow passage and a first tube flow passage opening, the first tube flow passage opening positioned to dispense the electrically conductive fluid adjacent the first electrode; and the second electrode located at the distal end of a second tube, the second tube providing a second tube flow passage and a second tube flow passage opening, the second tube flow passage opening positioned to dispense the electrically conductive fluid adjacent the second electrode; positioning the first electrode adjacent to the tissue; positioning the second electrode adjacent to the tissue; dispensing the electrically conductive fluid from the first tube flow passage opening adjacent the first electrode and from the second tube flow passage opening adjacent the second electrode; providing the electric current to the first electrode and to the second electrode; and applying the electric current from the first electrode and the second electrode to the tissue located adjacent the first electrode and to the tissue located adjacent the second electrode, and to the conductive fluid dispensed adjacent the first electrode and the conductive fluid dispensed adjacent the second electrode, respectively.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
289 words
A method for the treatment of tissue, the method comprising: providing a tissue; providing an electric current; providing an electrically conductive fluid; providing an apparatus for the treatment of the tissue, the apparatus configured to dispense the electrically conductive fluid to the tissue and apply the electric current to the tissue through the conductive fluid, the apparatus comprising: a bipolar electrode configuration comprising a first electrode spaced from a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode both uncovered and configured to be exposed to and adjacent to the tissue; the first electrode located at the distal end of a first tube, the first tube providing a first tube flow passage and a first tube flow passage opening, the first tube flow passage opening positioned to dispense the electrically conductive fluid adjacent the first electrode; and the second electrode located at the distal end of a second tube, the second tube providing a second tube flow passage and a second tube flow passage opening, the second tube flow passage opening positioned to dispense the electrically conductive fluid adjacent the second electrode; positioning the first electrode adjacent to the tissue; positioning the second electrode adjacent to the tissue; dispensing the electrically conductive fluid from the first tube flow passage opening adjacent the first electrode and from the second tube flow passage opening adjacent the second electrode; providing the electric current to the first electrode and to the second electrode; and applying the electric current from the first electrode and the second electrode to the tissue located adjacent the first electrode and to the tissue located adjacent the second electrode, and to the conductive fluid dispensed adjacent the first electrode and the conductive fluid dispensed adjacent the second electrode, respectively.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising: arranging the first fluid passage opening and the second fluid passage opening to facilitate a reduction in fluid interaction between the electrically conductive fluid dispensed from the first and second tube flow passage openings, respectively, external the apparatus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising: creating a first virtual electrode with the electrically conductive fluid adjacent the first electrode; creating a second virtual electrode with the electrically conductive fluid adjacent the second electrode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 3 further comprising: arranging the first virtual electrode from the second virtual electrode to reduce interaction between the electrically conductive fluid dispensed from the first and second tube flow passage openings, respectively, external the apparatus.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
184 words
An apparatus to treat tissue in the presence of an electrical current and an electrically conductive fluid, the apparatus comprising: a bipolar electrode configuration comprising a first electrode spaced from a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode both uncovered and configured to be exposed to and adjacent to the tissue; the first electrode located at the distal end of a first tube, the first tube providing a first tube flow passage and a first tube flow passage opening, the first tube flow passage opening positioned to dispense the electrically conductive fluid adjacent the first electrode; the second electrode located at the distal end of a second tube, the second tube providing a second tube flow passage and a second tube flow passage opening, the second tube flow passage opening positioned to dispense the electrically conductive fluid adjacent the second electrode; and wherein the first fluid passage opening and the second fluid passage opening are arranged to facilitate a reduction in fluid interaction between the electrically conductive fluid dispensed from the first and second tube flow passage openings, respectively, external the apparatus.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
184 words
An apparatus to treat tissue in the presence of an electrical current and an electrically conductive fluid, the apparatus comprising: a bipolar electrode configuration comprising a first electrode spaced from a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode both uncovered and configured to be exposed to and adjacent to the tissue; the first electrode located at the distal end of a first tube, the first tube providing a first tube flow passage and a first tube flow passage opening, the first tube flow passage opening positioned to dispense the electrically conductive fluid adjacent the first electrode; the second electrode located at the distal end of a second tube, the second tube providing a second tube flow passage and a second tube flow passage opening, the second tube flow passage opening positioned to dispense the electrically conductive fluid adjacent the second electrode; and wherein the first fluid passage opening and the second fluid passage opening are arranged to facilitate a reduction in fluid interaction between the electrically conductive fluid dispensed from the first and second tube flow passage openings, respectively, external the apparatus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 5 , further comprising: a vacuum tube located between the first tube and the second tube.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
199 words
An apparatus to treat tissue in the presence of an electrical current and an electrically conductive fluid, the apparatus comprising: a bipolar electrode configuration comprising a first electrode spaced from a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode both uncovered and configured to be exposed to and adjacent to the tissue; the first electrode located at the distal end of a first tube, the first tube providing a first tube flow passage and a first tube flow passage opening, the first tube flow passage opening positioned to dispense the electrically conductive fluid adjacent the first electrode; and the second electrode located at the distal end of a second tube, the second tube providing a second tube flow passage and a second tube flow passage opening, the second tube flow passage opening positioned to dispense the electrically conductive fluid adjacent the second electrode; a separation device, at least a portion of which is disposed between the first tube flow passage opening and the second tube flow passage opening; and wherein the separation device facilitates a reduction in fluid interaction between the electrically conductive fluid dispensed from the first and second tube flow passage openings, respectively, external the apparatus.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
199 words
An apparatus to treat tissue in the presence of an electrical current and an electrically conductive fluid, the apparatus comprising: a bipolar electrode configuration comprising a first electrode spaced from a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode both uncovered and configured to be exposed to and adjacent to the tissue; the first electrode located at the distal end of a first tube, the first tube providing a first tube flow passage and a first tube flow passage opening, the first tube flow passage opening positioned to dispense the electrically conductive fluid adjacent the first electrode; and the second electrode located at the distal end of a second tube, the second tube providing a second tube flow passage and a second tube flow passage opening, the second tube flow passage opening positioned to dispense the electrically conductive fluid adjacent the second electrode; a separation device, at least a portion of which is disposed between the first tube flow passage opening and the second tube flow passage opening; and wherein the separation device facilitates a reduction in fluid interaction between the electrically conductive fluid dispensed from the first and second tube flow passage openings, respectively, external the apparatus.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein: the separation device comprises a vacuum tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 8 wherein: the electrically conductive solution comprises saline.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
199 words
An apparatus to treat tissue in the presence of an electrical current and an electrically conductive fluid, the apparatus comprising: a bipolar electrode configuration comprising a first electrode spaced from a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode both uncovered and configured to be exposed to and adjacent to the tissue; the first electrode located at the distal end of a first tube, the first tube providing a first tube flow passage and a first tube flow passage opening, the first tube flow passage opening positioned to dispense the electrically conductive fluid adjacent the first electrode; and the second electrode located at the distal end of a second tube, the second tube providing a second tube flow passage and a second tube flow passage opening, the second tube flow passage opening positioned to dispense the electrically conductive fluid adjacent the second electrode; a separation device, at least a portion of which is disposed between the first tube flow passage opening and the second tube flow passage opening; and wherein the separation device facilitates a reduction in fluid interaction between the electrically conductive fluid dispensed from the first and second tube flow passage openings, respectively, external the apparatus.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
199 words
An apparatus to treat tissue in the presence of an electrical current and an electrically conductive fluid, the apparatus comprising: a bipolar electrode configuration comprising a first electrode spaced from a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode both uncovered and configured to be exposed to and adjacent to the tissue; the first electrode located at the distal end of a first tube, the first tube providing a first tube flow passage and a first tube flow passage opening, the first tube flow passage opening positioned to dispense the electrically conductive fluid adjacent the first electrode; and the second electrode located at the distal end of a second tube, the second tube providing a second tube flow passage and a second tube flow passage opening, the second tube flow passage opening positioned to dispense the electrically conductive fluid adjacent the second electrode; a separation device, at least a portion of which is disposed between the first tube flow passage opening and the second tube flow passage opening; and wherein the separation device facilitates a reduction in fluid interaction between the electrically conductive fluid dispensed from the first and second tube flow passage openings, respectively, external the apparatus.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 10 , further comprising: a vacuum tube located between the first tube and the second tube.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein: the first and the second tube are coaxially arranged; and the distal end of the first tube is axially spaced from the distal end of the second tube.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein: the first tube is at least one of electrically insulated and electrically non-conductive.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein: the second tube is at least one of electrically insulated and electrically non-conductive.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising: a separation device to facilitate a reduction in fluid interaction between the electrically conductive fluid dispensed from the from the first and second tube flow passage openings, respectivley, external the apparatus.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising: a separation device to prevent electrically conductive fluid dispensed from the first and second tube flow passage openings from the shorting electrical current directly between the electrodes.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising: a separation device to prevent the migration of electrically conductive fluid dispensed from the first and second tube flow passage openings directly between the electrodes.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
199 words
An apparatus to treat tissue in the presence of an electrical current and an electrically conductive fluid, the apparatus comprising: a bipolar electrode configuration comprising a first electrode spaced from a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode both uncovered and configured to be exposed to and adjacent to the tissue; the first electrode located at the distal end of a first tube, the first tube providing a first tube flow passage and a first tube flow passage opening, the first tube flow passage opening positioned to dispense the electrically conductive fluid adjacent the first electrode; and the second electrode located at the distal end of a second tube, the second tube providing a second tube flow passage and a second tube flow passage opening, the second tube flow passage opening positioned to dispense the electrically conductive fluid adjacent the second electrode; a separation device, at least a portion of which is disposed between the first tube flow passage opening and the second tube flow passage opening; and wherein the separation device facilitates a reduction in fluid interaction between the electrically conductive fluid dispensed from the first and second tube flow passage openings, respectively, external the apparatus.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
199 words
An apparatus to treat tissue in the presence of an electrical current and an electrically conductive fluid, the apparatus comprising: a bipolar electrode configuration comprising a first electrode spaced from a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode both uncovered and configured to be exposed to and adjacent to the tissue; the first electrode located at the distal end of a first tube, the first tube providing a first tube flow passage and a first tube flow passage opening, the first tube flow passage opening positioned to dispense the electrically conductive fluid adjacent the first electrode; and the second electrode located at the distal end of a second tube, the second tube providing a second tube flow passage and a second tube flow passage opening, the second tube flow passage opening positioned to dispense the electrically conductive fluid adjacent the second electrode; a separation device, at least a portion of which is disposed between the first tube flow passage opening and the second tube flow passage opening; and wherein the separation device facilitates a reduction in fluid interaction between the electrically conductive fluid dispensed from the first and second tube flow passage openings, respectively, external the apparatus.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein: the separation device comprises a vacuum tube.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein: the first and the second tube are coaxially arranged; and the distal end of the first tube is axially spaced from the distal end of the second tube.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein: the first tube is at least one of electrically insulated and electrically non-conductive.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein: the second tube is at least one of electrically insulated and electrically non-conductive.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein: the separation device prevents electrically conductive fluid dispensed from the first and second tube flow passage openings from shorting electrical current directly between the electrodes.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein: the separation device prevents the migration of electrically conductive fluid dispensed from the first and second tube flow passage openings directly between the electrodes.
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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) | 2007-03-16 | 2007-09-15 | 2008-03-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-03-16 | 2011-09-15 | 2012-03-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-03-16 | 2015-09-15 | 2016-03-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |