US5755663A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for procedures related to the electrophysiology of the heart
Assignee: Novoste Corp
•
Filing: 1996-06-20
•
Granted: 1998-05-26
•
Expires: 2016-06-20
Abstract
Abstract Methods and apparatus are disclosed for use in procedures related to ther electrophysiology of the heart, such as identifying or evaluating the electrical activity of the heart, diagnosing and/or treating conditions associated with the electrophysiology of the heart. An apparatus having thermocouple elements of different electromotive potential conductively connected at a junction is introduced into the interior of the heart and a section of heart tissue is contacted with the junction. An electrical current is passed through the thermocouple elements to reduce the temperature of the junction in accordance with the Peltier effect and thereby cool the contacted heart tissue. The effect of the cooling may be monitored and, if desired, the section of heart tissue may be treated.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles E. Larsen
- 👤 Roelof Trip
- 👤 Cheryl R. Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:29
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/02; H; H10; H10N; H10N10/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1492; A61B17/00; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00243; A61B2018/00005; A61B2018/00047; A61B2018/0212; A61B2018/0231; A61B2018/0237; A61B5/00; A61B5/24; A61B5/25; A61B5/279; A61B5/28; A61B5/283; A61B5/287
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 51
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
Apparatus for use in cardiac procedures, said apparatus including an elongated body with a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, said distal end portion comprising: at least two electrodes comprising a first electrode and a second electrode proximally spaced from said first electrode; at least one pair of thermocouple elements located between said electrodes, each of said thermocouple elements having a first end and a second end; said thermocouple elements being conductively connected at said first ends at a junction, whereby application of a voltage across said thermocouple elements affects the temperature of said junction in accordance with the Peltier effect.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
Apparatus for use in cardiac procedures, said apparatus including an elongated body with a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, said distal end portion comprising: at least two electrodes comprising a first electrode and a second electrode proximally spaced from said first electrode; at least one pair of thermocouple elements located between said electrodes, each of said thermocouple elements having a first end and a second end; said thermocouple elements being conductively connected at said first ends at a junction, whereby application of a voltage across said thermocouple elements affects the temperature of said junction in accordance with the Peltier effect.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one of said thermocouple elements is proximally located relative to said other thermocouple element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least a second pair of thermocouple elements located between said electrodes; said second pair of thermocouple elements being conductively connected at a second function, said second junction being conductively connected to said one pair of thermocouple elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for monitoring the temperature of said junction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus of claim 4 wherein said means for monitoring the temperature of said junction is embedded in said junction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first electrode comprises said junction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a fixture for supporting said thermocouple elements within said distal end portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said junction comprises a thermoconductive solder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
66 words
Apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a steering wire having a proximal end and a distal end and extending through said elongated body, wherein said proximal end of said steering wire is connected to a slidable hub located at said proximal end portion of said elongated body and said distal end of said steering wire is connected to said distal end portion of said elongated body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said thermocouple elements are disposed in a parallel arrangement.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus of claim 10 wherein said first electrode comprises said junction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first electrode comprises a cap of an electrically conductive material and said cap is positioned at the distal tip of said distal end portion of said elongated body.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus of claim 3 wherein said second junction is proximal to and in alignment with said one pair of thermocouple elements.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus of claim 13 further comprising a third pair of thermocouple elements located between said electrodes, said third pair of thermocouple elements being conductively connected at a third junction, said third junction being conductively connected to said one pair of thermocouple elements.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus of claim 14 wherein said third junction is proximal to said one pair of thermocouple elements and adjacent to said second junction.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus of claim 1 comprising an electrical power supply conductively connected to said second ends of said thermocouple elements.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus of claim 16 wherein said power supply generates radiofrequency energy.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus of claim 17 wherein said power supply is connected to said distal electrode.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus of claim 16 wherein said power supply generates microwave frequency energy.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus of claim 19 wherein said power supply is connected to said distal electrode.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus of claim 16 wherein said power supply comprises a control for controlling and adjusting the temperature of said junction by controlling the applied voltage.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a separate power supply capable of generating radiofrequency energy and conductively connected to a part of said distal end portion.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a separate power supply capable of generating microwave frequency energy and conductively connected to a part of said distal end portion.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus of claim 1 comprising an electrical activity monitor conductively connected to said electrodes.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus for use in cardiac procedures, said apparatus including an elongated body with a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, said distal end portion comprising: at least two thermocouple elements conductively connected, whereby application of a voltage across said thermocouple elements affects the temperature of at least a part of said distal end portion in accordance with the Peltier effect; and at least one electrode in proximity to said thermocouple elements.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus for use in cardiac procedures, said apparatus including an elongated body with a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, said distal end portion comprising: at least two thermocouple elements conductively connected, whereby application of a voltage across said thermocouple elements affects the temperature of at least a part of said distal end portion in accordance with the Peltier effect; and at least one electrode in proximity to said thermocouple elements.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus of claim 25 wherein said thermocouple elements are conductively connected to said electrode.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus of claim 26 wherein said thermocouple elements are conductively connected at a junction.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
10 words
Apparatus of claim 21 wherein said electrode defines said junction.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus of claim 25 comprising a second electrode proximal to said thermocouple elements.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus of claim 29 wherein said thermocouple elements are located between said electrodes.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus of claim 25 further comprising a carrier of low thermal and electrical conductivity wherein said thermocouple elements are mounted on said carrier.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus of claim 31 wherein said carrier is made of a material comprising a polyether ether ketone.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus of claim 31 wherein said carrier comprises a bore providing a conduit for introducing wires from the outside of said carrier to at least said thermocouple elements.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus of claim 31 comprising a thermoconductive epoxy applied between said thermocouple elements and at least a portion of the carrier.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus of claim 31 wherein said thermocouple elements are mounted in an axially extending end to end arrangement, said ends of said thermocouple elements being conductively connected at a junction.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus of claim 31 wherein said carrier comprises a bore providing a conduit for introducing wires from the outside of said carrier to at least said thermocouple elements and said electrodes.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus of claim 31 wherein said thermocouple elements are separated along their lengths when mounted on said carrier.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus of claim 25 further comprising a radio frequency energy conductor extending along said body between said proximal and distal end portions and in electrical communication with a selected part of said distal end portion.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus of claim 25 wherein said thermocouple elements are conductively connected at a junction.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus of claim 39 wherein said thermocouple elements are conductively connected to said electrode.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
10 words
Apparatus of claim 40 wherein said electrode defines said junction.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus of claim 39 comprising a second electrode proximal to said thermocouple elements.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus of claim 42 wherein said thermocouple elements are located between said electrodes.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus of claim 42 wherein said junction is spaced from and in between said electrodes.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus of claim 44 wherein one of said thermocouple elements is proximal to said other thermocouple element.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus of claim 25 wherein said thermocouple elements have differing electromotive potentials.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus of claim 46 wherein said thermocouple elements are made of alloys comprising Bismuth-Telluride.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
134 words
Apparatus for diagnosing and treating electrophysiological conditions of the heart, said apparatus including an elongated body with a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, said distal end portion comprising: at least two electrodes comprising a first electrode and a second electrode proximally spaced from said first electrode; an electrical activity monitor connected to said electrodes; at least one pair of thermocouple elements located between said electrodes, each of said thermocouple elements having a first end and a second end; said thermocouple elements being conductively connected at said first ends at a junction, whereby application of a voltage and induction of a current across said thermocouple elements affects the temperature of said junction in accordance with the Peltier effect; and an electrical power supply connected to said second ends of said thermocouple elements.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
134 words
Apparatus for diagnosing and treating electrophysiological conditions of the heart, said apparatus including an elongated body with a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, said distal end portion comprising: at least two electrodes comprising a first electrode and a second electrode proximally spaced from said first electrode; an electrical activity monitor connected to said electrodes; at least one pair of thermocouple elements located between said electrodes, each of said thermocouple elements having a first end and a second end; said thermocouple elements being conductively connected at said first ends at a junction, whereby application of a voltage and induction of a current across said thermocouple elements affects the temperature of said junction in accordance with the Peltier effect; and an electrical power supply connected to said second ends of said thermocouple elements.
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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) | 2001-05-25 | 2001-11-24 | 2002-05-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-05-25 | 2005-11-24 | 2006-05-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-05-25 | 2009-11-24 | 2010-05-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |