US4985028A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Catheter
Assignee: LIGHTWAVE ABLATIOIN SYSTEMS
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Filing: 1989-08-30
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Granted: 1991-01-15
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Expires: 2009-08-30
Abstract
Abstract A technique for the treatment of ventricular tachycardia. The ventricles are endocardially mapped by way of an electrophysiological workup. This mapping locates the tachycardial foci and other abnormalities in conduction. A special catheter containing an optical fiber is percutaneously inserted into a blood vessel and advanced into the ventricle. The distal tip of the catheter is positioned adjacent to each of the tachycardia generating sites. A medical laser is used to irradiate each site via the optical fiber. The tissue at each site is thereby photocoagulated or ablated to remove the source of the tachyarythmia.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey M. Isner
- 👤 Richard Clarke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 09:39
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/05; A61N1/056; A61N1/057; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/22; A61B18/24; A61B18/245; A61B17/00; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00243; A61B17/34; A61B2017/348; A61B2017/3482; A61B2017/3484; A61B2017/3488; A61B2018/00005; A61B2018/00011; A61B90/00; A61B90/39; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M2025/0098
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
An apparatus comprising: a. a medical laser; b. an optical fiber responsively coupled to said medical laser; c. means engaged to said optical fiber for percutaneously advancing said optical fiber to a position adjacent a human heart, wherein said advancing means further comprises a catheter assembly; and, d. means coupled to said advancing means for maintaining said optical fiber in said position adjacent to said human heart, wherein said maintaining means further comprises a sigmoidal bend in said catheter assembly located within said human heart when said optical fiber is in said position adjacent to said human heart.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
98 words
An apparatus comprising: a. a medical laser; b. an optical fiber responsively coupled to said medical laser; c. means engaged to said optical fiber for percutaneously advancing said optical fiber to a position adjacent a human heart, wherein said advancing means further comprises a catheter assembly; and, d. means coupled to said advancing means for maintaining said optical fiber in said position adjacent to said human heart, wherein said maintaining means further comprises a sigmoidal bend in said catheter assembly located within said human heart when said optical fiber is in said position adjacent to said human heart.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said catheter assembly further comprises an outer sheath having a first lumen and containing said sigmoidal bend.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said catheter assembly further comprises an inner catheter having a second lumen wherein said inner catheter is removably located within said first lumen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said optical fiber is removably located within said second lumen.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 4 further comprising a fixation wire movably located within said second lumen.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 5 further comprising a rigid wye having a distal end and wherein said inner catheter has a proximal end coupled to said distal end of said rigid wye.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said rigid wye has a main branch having a proximal end.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising a syringe removably coupled to said proximal end of said main branch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said syringe has a movable plunger which is attached to a proximal end of said fixation wire.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said wye has a secondary branch having a third lumen which removably contains a portion of said optical fiber.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of treating tachycardia comprising: a. electrophysiologically mapping a heart to locate at least one tachycardia focus; b. introducing a catheter system having an optical fiber into the circulatory system; c. advancing said catheter system into said heart; d. positioning a distal tip of said catheter system adjacent to said at least one tachycardia focus; e. maintaining said distal tip of said catheter system in place by urging a sigmoidal bend of said catheter system into contat with the inner walls of said heart; and, f. irradiating myocardial tissue adjacent said at least one tachycardia focus with laser energy transmitted by said optical fiber.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of treating tachycardia comprising: a. electrophysiologically mapping a heart to locate at least one tachycardia focus; b. introducing a catheter system having an optical fiber into the circulatory system; c. advancing said catheter system into said heart; d. positioning a distal tip of said catheter system adjacent to said at least one tachycardia focus; e. maintaining said distal tip of said catheter system in place by urging a sigmoidal bend of said catheter system into contat with the inner walls of said heart; and, f. irradiating myocardial tissue adjacent said at least one tachycardia focus with laser energy transmitted by said optical fiber.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4785815A
Cited
US4854315A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-01-14 | 1994-07-16 | 1995-01-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-01-14 | 1998-07-16 | 1999-01-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-01-14 | 2002-07-16 | 2003-01-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |