Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A system for percutaneous treatment of a patient's heart, comprising: a catheter, the catheter having a proximal end and a distal end; an active portion at the distal end of the catheter for sensing electrical signals generated on the heart and for applying laser energy operable to ablate a portion of the heart; a position sensor responsive to magnetic fields for generating signals for determining position and orientation coordinates of the catheter distal end; and a signal processor for receiving the signals from the position sensor and reconstructing a three-dimensional surface representing a surface of the patient's heart based on the signals received from the position sensor and for generating a map on the three-dimensional surface showing the sensed electrical signals generated by the heart.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
125 words
A system for percutaneous treatment of a patient's heart, comprising: a catheter, the catheter having a proximal end and a distal end; an active portion at the distal end of the catheter for sensing electrical signals generated on the heart and for applying laser energy operable to ablate a portion of the heart; a position sensor responsive to magnetic fields for generating signals for determining position and orientation coordinates of the catheter distal end; and a signal processor for receiving the signals from the position sensor and reconstructing a three-dimensional surface representing a surface of the patient's heart based on the signals received from the position sensor and for generating a map on the three-dimensional surface showing the sensed electrical signals generated by the heart.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system for percutaneous treatment of claim 1 , further including an optical waveguide for energizing the active portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system for percutaneous treatment of claim 2 , further including an ECG monitor for synchronizing with the position sensor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system for percutaneous treatment of claim 3 , further including a reference sensor to correct for breathing motion or patient movement.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system for percutaneous treatment of claim 2 , wherein the catheter comprises means for rotating or deflecting the distal end of the catheter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system for percutaneous treatment of claim 1 , wherein the position sensor includes at least two non-coplanar magnetic elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system for percutaneous treatment of claim 6 , further comprising a plurality of external magnetic elements for placement outside the patient.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system for percutaneous treatment of claim 7 , wherein the external magnetic elements establish magnetic fields which are sensed by the position sensor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system for percutaneous treatment of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of external magnetic elements establish different magnetic fields sequentially and the position sensor is operable to sense the different fields.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system for percutaneous treatment of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of external magnetic elements are three coils, the coils being sequentially energized.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system for percutaneous treatment of claim 6 , wherein the position sensor includes wires for carrying position signals between the position sensor and the catheter proximal end.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system for percutaneous treatment of claim 1 , wherein the position sensor includes at least one magnetic element and further comprises a plurality of external magnetic elements for placement outside the patient.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
242 words
A method of treating a patient's heart comprising the steps of: (a) percutaneously inserting a catheter into a heart of a patient, the catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, an active portion at the distal end of the catheter for sensing electrical signals generated on the heart and for applying laser energy, and a position sensor responsive to magnetic fields for generating location signals; (b) generating magnetic fields; (c) using the position sensor to generate location signals based on the generated magnetic fields; (d) sensing the position of the catheter distal end based on the location signals generated by the position sensor for determining position and orientation coordinates of the catheter distal end at a number of places on a surface of the heart by touching the catheter distal end on the surface at each place; (e) using the position sensor to reference the catheter distal end based on the position and orientation coordinates; (f) reconstructing a three-dimensional surface representing the surface of the heart based on the location signals generated by the position sensor; (g) sensing electrical signals generated by the heart; (h) mapping the electrical activity of the heart on the three-dimensional surface using the sensed electrical signals; (i) positioning the catheter such that its distal end is adjacent tissue of the heart to be treated based on the position and orientation coordinates; and (j) applying laser energy from the active portion to the patient's heart tissue.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
242 words
A method of treating a patient's heart comprising the steps of: (a) percutaneously inserting a catheter into a heart of a patient, the catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, an active portion at the distal end of the catheter for sensing electrical signals generated on the heart and for applying laser energy, and a position sensor responsive to magnetic fields for generating location signals; (b) generating magnetic fields; (c) using the position sensor to generate location signals based on the generated magnetic fields; (d) sensing the position of the catheter distal end based on the location signals generated by the position sensor for determining position and orientation coordinates of the catheter distal end at a number of places on a surface of the heart by touching the catheter distal end on the surface at each place; (e) using the position sensor to reference the catheter distal end based on the position and orientation coordinates; (f) reconstructing a three-dimensional surface representing the surface of the heart based on the location signals generated by the position sensor; (g) sensing electrical signals generated by the heart; (h) mapping the electrical activity of the heart on the three-dimensional surface using the sensed electrical signals; (i) positioning the catheter such that its distal end is adjacent tissue of the heart to be treated based on the position and orientation coordinates; and (j) applying laser energy from the active portion to the patient's heart tissue.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 13 , including utilizing an ECG monitor for synchronization with the position sensor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 14 , including utilizing a reference sensor to correct for breathing motion or patient movement.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein laser energy is applied to the active portion through an optical waveguide.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 16 , wherein a chamber of the patient's heart is treated.