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US5688267A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Systems and methods for sensing multiple temperature conditions during tissue ablation

Assignee: EP Technologies Inc
•
Filing: 1995-05-01
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Granted: 1997-11-18
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Expires: 2015-05-01
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Abstract

Abstract Systems and methods for ablating body tissue use an electrode for contacting tissue to form a tissue-electrode interface. The electrode is adapted to be connected to a source of ablation energy to conduct ablation energy for transmission by the electrode into tissue at the tissue-electrode interface. The electrode is preferably cooled. The systems and methods include multiple temperature sensing elements. One element senses tissue temperature. A second element senses electrode temperature. A third element senses the rate at which the electrode is cooled. The systems and methods control the supply of ablation energy to the electrode based, at least in part, upon the multiple temperatures sensed by the different temperature sensing elements.

Inventors

  • 👤 Dorin Panescu
  • 👤 David K. Swanson
  • 👤 Sidney D. Fleischman
  • 👤 Thomas M. Bourne

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 01:30
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1492; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/40; A61N1/403; A61B18/1206; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022; A61B2017/00084; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00243; A61B2018/00005; A61B2018/00011; A61B2018/00023; A61B2018/00029; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/0069; A61B2018/00696; A61B2018/00761; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00886; A61B2018/1246; A61B2018/126; A61B18/18; A61B18/1815; A61B2018/1861

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim 91 words
A system for ablating body tissue comprising an electrode for contacting tissue to form a tissue-electrode interface, the electrode adapted to be connected to a source of ablation energy to conduct ablation energy for transmission by the electrode into tissue at the tissue-electrode interface, a tissue temperature sensing element, a carrier on the electrode holding the tissue temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with tissue, the carrier being substantially isolated from thermal conductive contact with the electrode, and a second temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with the electrode.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 91 words
A system for ablating body tissue comprising an electrode for contacting tissue to form a tissue-electrode interface, the electrode adapted to be connected to a source of ablation energy to conduct ablation energy for transmission by the electrode into tissue at the tissue-electrode interface, a tissue temperature sensing element, a carrier on the electrode holding the tissue temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with tissue, the carrier being substantially isolated from thermal conductive contact with the electrode, and a second temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with the electrode.
Claim 3
Independent Claim 95 words
A system for ablating body tissue comprising an electrode for contacting tissue to form a tissue-electrode interface, the electrode adapted to be connected to a source of ablation energy to conduct ablation energy for transmission by the electrode into tissue at the tissue-electrode interface, a tissue temperature sensing element, a carrier on the electrode holding the tissue temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with tissue beneath the tissue-electrode interface, the carrier being substantially isolated from thermal conductive contact with the electrode, and a second temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with the electrode.
Claim 4
Independent Claim 95 words
A system for ablating body tissue comprising an electrode for contacting tissue to form a tissue-electrode interface, the electrode adapted to be connected to a source of ablation energy to conduct ablation energy for transmission by the electrode into tissue at the tissue-electrode interface, a tissue temperature sensing element, a carrier on the electrode holding the tissue temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with tissue beneath the tissue-electrode interface, the carrier being substantially isolated from thermal conductive contact with the electrode, and a second temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with the electrode.
Claim 5
Independent Claim 137 words
A system for ablating body tissue comprising a source of ablation energy, an electrode for contacting tissue to form a tissue-electrode interface, the electrode being connected to the source of ablation energy to transmit ablation energy at a determinable power level into tissue at the tissue-electrode interface, a tissue temperature sensing element, a carrier on the electrode holding the tissue temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with tissue, the carrier being substantially isolated from thermal conductive contact with the electrode, a second temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with the electrode, and a controller coupled to the source of ablation energy, the tissue temperature sensing element, and the second temperature sensing element to regulate the power level in response to temperatures sensed by both the tissue temperature sensing element and the second temperature sensing element.
Claim 6
Independent Claim 137 words
A system for ablating body tissue comprising a source of ablation energy, an electrode for contacting tissue to form a tissue-electrode interface, the electrode being connected to the source of ablation energy to transmit ablation energy at a determinable power level into tissue at the tissue-electrode interface, a tissue temperature sensing element, a carrier on the electrode holding the tissue temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with tissue, the carrier being substantially isolated from thermal conductive contact with the electrode, a second temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with the electrode, and a controller coupled to the source of ablation energy, the tissue temperature sensing element, and the second temperature sensing element to regulate the power level in response to temperatures sensed by both the tissue temperature sensing element and the second temperature sensing element.
Claim 7
Independent Claim 141 words
A system for ablating body tissue comprising a source of ablation energy, an electrode for contacting tissue to form a tissue-electrode interface, the electrode being connected to the source of ablation energy to transmit ablation energy at a determinable power level into tissue at the tissue-electrode interface, a tissue temperature sensing element, a carrier on the electrode holding the tissue temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with tissue beneath the tissue-electrode interface, the carrier being substantially isolated from thermal conductive contact with the electrode, a second temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with the electrode, and a controller coupled to the source of ablation energy, the tissue temperature sensing element, and the second temperature sensing element to regulate the power level in response to temperatures sensed by both the tissue temperature sensing element and the second temperature sensing element.
Claim 8
Independent Claim 141 words
A system for ablating body tissue comprising a source of ablation energy, an electrode for contacting tissue to form a tissue-electrode interface, the electrode being connected to the source of ablation energy to transmit ablation energy at a determinable power level into tissue at the tissue-electrode interface, a tissue temperature sensing element, a carrier on the electrode holding the tissue temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with tissue beneath the tissue-electrode interface, the carrier being substantially isolated from thermal conductive contact with the electrode, a second temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with the electrode, and a controller coupled to the source of ablation energy, the tissue temperature sensing element, and the second temperature sensing element to regulate the power level in response to temperatures sensed by both the tissue temperature sensing element and the second temperature sensing element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 79 words
A system according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 and further including a mechanism on the electrode attached to the carrier to selectively advance the carrier relative to the electrode between a first position in which the tissue temperature sensing element is withdrawn from thermal conductive contact with tissue beneath the tissue-electrode interface and a second position in which the tissue temperature sensing element is placed into thermal conductive contact with tissue beneath the tissue-electrode interface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 25 words
A system according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 wherein the carrier has a thermal conductivity of at least 1.0 W/m K.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 19 words
A system according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 wherein the carrier includes a metallic material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 20 words
A system according to claim 7 wherein the metallic material is substantially isolated from thermal conductive contact with the electrode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 41 words
A system according to claim 7 wherein the metallic material is selected from the group consisting essentially of stainless steel, gold, silver alloy, platinum, copper, nickel, titanium, aluminum, and compositions containing stainless steel, gold, silver, platinum, copper, nickel, titanium, and aluminum.
Claim 14
Independent Claim 105 words
A system for ablating body tissue comprising an electrode for contacting tissue to form a tissue-electrode interface, the electrode adapted to be connected to a source of ablation energy to conduct ablation energy for transmission by the electrode into tissue at the tissue-electrode interface, an element coupled to the electrode to cool the electrode, a tissue temperature sensing element, a carrier on the electrode holding the tissue temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with tissue beneath the tissue-electrode interface, the carrier being substantially isolated from thermal conductive contact with the electrode, and a second temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with the electrode.
Claim 15
Independent Claim 105 words
A system for ablating body tissue comprising an electrode for contacting tissue to form a tissue-electrode interface, the electrode adapted to be connected to a source of ablation energy to conduct ablation energy for transmission by the electrode into tissue at the tissue-electrode interface, an element coupled to the electrode to cool the electrode, a tissue temperature sensing element, a carrier on the electrode holding the tissue temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with tissue beneath the tissue-electrode interface, the carrier being substantially isolated from thermal conductive contact with the electrode, and a second temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with the electrode.
Claim 16
Independent Claim 134 words
A system for ablating body tissue comprising an electrode for contacting tissue to form a tissue-electrode interface, the electrode adapted to be connected to a source of ablation energy to conduct ablation energy for transmission by the electrode into tissue at the tissue-electrode interface, an element including a source of cooling media and a conduit coupling the source to the electrode to direct cooling media into thermal conductive contact with the electrode, a tissue temperature sensing element, a carrier on the electrode holding the tissue temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with tissue beneath the tissue-electrode interface, the carrier being substantially isolated from thermal conductive contact with the electrode, and a second temperature sensing element for sensing temperature variations in the cooling media as a result of thermal conductive contact with the electrode.
Claim 17
Independent Claim 134 words
A system for ablating body tissue comprising an electrode for contacting tissue to form a tissue-electrode interface, the electrode adapted to be connected to a source of ablation energy to conduct ablation energy for transmission by the electrode into tissue at the tissue-electrode interface, an element including a source of cooling media and a conduit coupling the source to the electrode to direct cooling media into thermal conductive contact with the electrode, a tissue temperature sensing element, a carrier on the electrode holding the tissue temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with tissue beneath the tissue-electrode interface, the carrier being substantially isolated from thermal conductive contact with the electrode, and a second temperature sensing element for sensing temperature variations in the cooling media as a result of thermal conductive contact with the electrode.
Claim 18
Independent Claim 146 words
A system for ablating body tissue comprising an electrode for contacting tissue to form a tissue-electrode interface, the electrode adapted to be connected to a source of ablation energy to conduct ablation energy for transmission by the electrode into tissue at the tissue-electrode interface, an element including a source of cooling media and a conduit coupling the source to the element to direct cooling media into thermal conductive contact with the electrode, a tissue temperature sensing element, a carrier on the electrode holding the tissue temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with tissue beneath the tissue-electrode interface, the carrier being substantially isolated from thermal conductive contact with the electrode, a second temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with the electrode, and a third temperature sensing element for sensing temperature variations in the cooling media as a result of thermal conductive contact with the electrode.
Claim 19
Independent Claim 146 words
A system for ablating body tissue comprising an electrode for contacting tissue to form a tissue-electrode interface, the electrode adapted to be connected to a source of ablation energy to conduct ablation energy for transmission by the electrode into tissue at the tissue-electrode interface, an element including a source of cooling media and a conduit coupling the source to the element to direct cooling media into thermal conductive contact with the electrode, a tissue temperature sensing element, a carrier on the electrode holding the tissue temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with tissue beneath the tissue-electrode interface, the carrier being substantially isolated from thermal conductive contact with the electrode, a second temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with the electrode, and a third temperature sensing element for sensing temperature variations in the cooling media as a result of thermal conductive contact with the electrode.
Claim 20
Independent Claim 151 words
A system for ablating body tissue comprising a source of ablation energy, an electrode for contacting tissue to form a tissue-electrode interface, the electrode being connected to the source of ablation energy to transmit ablation energy at a determinable power level into tissue at the tissue-electrode interface, an element coupled to the electrode to cool the electrode, a tissue temperature sensing element, a carrier on the electrode holding the tissue temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with tissue beneath the tissue-electrode interface, the carrier being substantially isolated from thermal conductive contact with the electrode, a second temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with the electrode, and a controller coupled to the source of ablation energy, the tissue temperature sensing element, and the second temperature sensing element to regulate the power level in response to temperatures sensed by both the tissue temperature sensing element and the second temperature sensing element.
Claim 21
Independent Claim 151 words
A system for ablating body tissue comprising a source of ablation energy, an electrode for contacting tissue to form a tissue-electrode interface, the electrode being connected to the source of ablation energy to transmit ablation energy at a determinable power level into tissue at the tissue-electrode interface, an element coupled to the electrode to cool the electrode, a tissue temperature sensing element, a carrier on the electrode holding the tissue temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with tissue beneath the tissue-electrode interface, the carrier being substantially isolated from thermal conductive contact with the electrode, a second temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with the electrode, and a controller coupled to the source of ablation energy, the tissue temperature sensing element, and the second temperature sensing element to regulate the power level in response to temperatures sensed by both the tissue temperature sensing element and the second temperature sensing element.
Claim 22
Independent Claim 180 words
A system for ablating body tissue comprising a source of ablation energy, an electrode for contacting tissue to form a tissue-electrode interface, the electrode being connected to the source of ablation energy to transmit ablation energy at a determinable power level into tissue at the tissue-electrode interface, an element including a source of cooling media and a conduit coupling the source to the electrode to direct cooling media into thermal conductive contact with the electrode, a tissue temperature sensing element, a carrier on the electrode holding the tissue temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with tissue beneath the tissue-electrode interface, the carrier being substantially isolated from thermal conductive contact with the electrode, a second temperature sensing element for sensing temperature variations in the cooling media as a result of thermal conductive contact with the electrode, and a controller coupled to the source of ablation energy, the tissue temperature sensing element, and the second temperature sensing element to regulate the power level in response to temperatures sensed by both the tissue temperature sensing element and the second temperature sensing element.
Claim 23
Independent Claim 180 words
A system for ablating body tissue comprising a source of ablation energy, an electrode for contacting tissue to form a tissue-electrode interface, the electrode being connected to the source of ablation energy to transmit ablation energy at a determinable power level into tissue at the tissue-electrode interface, an element including a source of cooling media and a conduit coupling the source to the electrode to direct cooling media into thermal conductive contact with the electrode, a tissue temperature sensing element, a carrier on the electrode holding the tissue temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with tissue beneath the tissue-electrode interface, the carrier being substantially isolated from thermal conductive contact with the electrode, a second temperature sensing element for sensing temperature variations in the cooling media as a result of thermal conductive contact with the electrode, and a controller coupled to the source of ablation energy, the tissue temperature sensing element, and the second temperature sensing element to regulate the power level in response to temperatures sensed by both the tissue temperature sensing element and the second temperature sensing element.
Claim 24
Independent Claim 201 words
A system for ablating body tissue comprising a source of ablation energy, an electrode for contacting tissue to form a tissue-electrode interface, the electrode being connected to the source of ablation energy to transmit ablation energy at a determinable power level into tissue at the tissue-electrode interface, an element including a source of cooling media and a conduit coupling the source to the element to direct cooling media into thermal conductive contact with the electrode, a tissue temperature sensing element, a carrier on the electrode holding the tissue temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with tissue beneath the tissue-electrode interface, the carrier being substantially isolated from thermal conductive contact with the electrode, a second temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with the electrode, a third temperature sensing element for sensing temperature variations in the cooling media as a result of thermal conductive contact with the electrode, and a controller coupled to the source of ablation energy, the tissue temperature sensing element, the second temperature sensing element, and the third temperature sensing element to regulate the power level in response to temperatures sensed by the tissue temperature sensing element, the second temperature sensing element, and the third temperature sensing element.
Claim 25
Independent Claim 201 words
A system for ablating body tissue comprising a source of ablation energy, an electrode for contacting tissue to form a tissue-electrode interface, the electrode being connected to the source of ablation energy to transmit ablation energy at a determinable power level into tissue at the tissue-electrode interface, an element including a source of cooling media and a conduit coupling the source to the element to direct cooling media into thermal conductive contact with the electrode, a tissue temperature sensing element, a carrier on the electrode holding the tissue temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with tissue beneath the tissue-electrode interface, the carrier being substantially isolated from thermal conductive contact with the electrode, a second temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with the electrode, a third temperature sensing element for sensing temperature variations in the cooling media as a result of thermal conductive contact with the electrode, and a controller coupled to the source of ablation energy, the tissue temperature sensing element, the second temperature sensing element, and the third temperature sensing element to regulate the power level in response to temperatures sensed by the tissue temperature sensing element, the second temperature sensing element, and the third temperature sensing element.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 83 words
A system according to claim 10 or 11 or 12 or 13 or 14 or 15 and further including a mechanism an the electrode attached to the carrier to selectively advance the carrier relative to the electrode between a first position in which the tissue temperature sensing element is withdrawn from thermal conductive contact with tissue beneath the tissue-electrode interface and a second position in which the tissue temperature sensing element is placed into thermal conductive contact with tissue beneath the tissue-electrode interface.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 29 words
A system according to claim 10 or 11 or 12 or 13 or 14 or 15 wherein the carrier has a thermal conductivity of at least 1.0 W/m K.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 23 words
A system according to claim 10 or 11 or 12 or 13 or 14 or 15 wherein the carrier includes a metallic material.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 20 words
A system according to claim 18 wherein the metallic material is substantially isolated from thermal conductive contact with the electrode.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 41 words
A system according to claim 18 wherein the metallic material is selected from the group consisting essentially of stainless steel, gold, silver alloy, platinum, copper, nickel, titanium, aluminum, and compositions containing stainless steel, gold, silver, platinum, copper, nickel, titanium, and aluminum.
Claim 31
Independent Claim 104 words
A method for ablating heart tissue comprising the steps of deploying an electrode into a heart chamber for contacting heart tissue to form a tissue-electrode interface, conducting ablation energy to the electrode for transmission by the electrode into tissue at the tissue-electrode interface, locating a tissue temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with tissue beneath the tissue-electrode interface, locating an electrode temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with the electrode, and controlling the step of conduction of ablation energy to the electrode based, at least in part, upon temperatures sensed by the tissue temperature sensing element and the electrode temperature sensing element.
Claim 32
Independent Claim 104 words
A method for ablating heart tissue comprising the steps of deploying an electrode into a heart chamber for contacting heart tissue to form a tissue-electrode interface, conducting ablation energy to the electrode for transmission by the electrode into tissue at the tissue-electrode interface, locating a tissue temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with tissue beneath the tissue-electrode interface, locating an electrode temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with the electrode, and controlling the step of conduction of ablation energy to the electrode based, at least in part, upon temperatures sensed by the tissue temperature sensing element and the electrode temperature sensing element.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 57 words
A method according to claim 21 and further including the step of selectively moving the tissue temperature sensing element between a first position, in which the tissue temperature sensing element is withdrawn from thermal conductive contact with tissue, and a second position, in which the tissue temperature sensing element is placed into thermal conductive contact with tissue.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 15 words
A method according to claim 22 and further including the step of cooling the electrode.
Claim 35
Independent Claim 129 words
A method for ablating heart tissue comprising the steps of deploying an electrode into a heart chamber for contacting heart tissue to form a tissue-electrode interface, conducting ablation energy to the electrode for transmission by the electrode into tissue at the tissue-electrode interface, cooling the electrode at least in part while the electrode transmits ablation energy, locating a tissue temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with tissue beneath the tissue-electrode interface, locating an electrode temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with the electrode, and controlling either the step of conduction of ablation energy to the electrode or the step of cooling of the electrode or both steps based, at least in part, upon temperatures sensed by the tissue temperature sensing element and the electrode temperature sensing element.
Claim 36
Independent Claim 129 words
A method for ablating heart tissue comprising the steps of deploying an electrode into a heart chamber for contacting heart tissue to form a tissue-electrode interface, conducting ablation energy to the electrode for transmission by the electrode into tissue at the tissue-electrode interface, cooling the electrode at least in part while the electrode transmits ablation energy, locating a tissue temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with tissue beneath the tissue-electrode interface, locating an electrode temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with the electrode, and controlling either the step of conduction of ablation energy to the electrode or the step of cooling of the electrode or both steps based, at least in part, upon temperatures sensed by the tissue temperature sensing element and the electrode temperature sensing element.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 57 words
A method according to claim 24 and further including the step of selectively moving the tissue temperature sensing element between a first position, in which the tissue temperature sensing element is withdrawn from thermal conductive contact with tissue, and a second position, in which the tissue temperature sensing element is placed into thermal conductive contact with tissue.
Claim 38
Independent Claim 172 words
A method for ablating heart tissue comprising the steps of deploying an electrode into a heart chamber for contacting heart tissue to form a tissue-electrode interface, conducting ablation energy to the electrode for transmission by the electrode into tissue at the tissue-electrode interface, cooling the electrode at least in part while the electrode transmits ablation energy by directing cooling media into thermal conductive contact with the electrode, locating a tissue temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with tissue beneath the tissue-electrode interface, locating an electrode temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with the electrode, locating a third temperature sensing element to sense temperature variations in the cooling media as a result of thermal conductive contact with the electrode, controlling either the step of conduction of ablation energy to the electrode or the step of cooling of the electrode or both steps based, at least in part, upon temperatures sensed by at least two of the tissue temperature sensing element, the electrode temperature sensing element, and the third temperature sensing element.
Claim 39
Independent Claim 172 words
A method for ablating heart tissue comprising the steps of deploying an electrode into a heart chamber for contacting heart tissue to form a tissue-electrode interface, conducting ablation energy to the electrode for transmission by the electrode into tissue at the tissue-electrode interface, cooling the electrode at least in part while the electrode transmits ablation energy by directing cooling media into thermal conductive contact with the electrode, locating a tissue temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with tissue beneath the tissue-electrode interface, locating an electrode temperature sensing element in thermal conductive contact with the electrode, locating a third temperature sensing element to sense temperature variations in the cooling media as a result of thermal conductive contact with the electrode, controlling either the step of conduction of ablation energy to the electrode or the step of cooling of the electrode or both steps based, at least in part, upon temperatures sensed by at least two of the tissue temperature sensing element, the electrode temperature sensing element, and the third temperature sensing element.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim 57 words
A method according to claim 26 and further including the step of selectively moving the tissue temperature sensing element between a first position, in which the tissue temperature sensing element is withdrawn from thermal conductive contact with tissue, and a second position, in which the tissue temperature sensing element is placed into thermal conductive contact with tissue.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim 21 words
A method according to claim 21 or 24 or 26 wherein the step of conducting ablation energy conducts radio frequency energy.

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