US5836874A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-function electrode structures for electrically analyzing and heating body tissue
Assignee: EP Technologies Inc
•
Filing: 1996-04-08
•
Granted: 1998-11-17
•
Expires: 2016-04-08
Abstract
Abstract Systems and methods for heating body tissue place a multi-function structure having an exterior wall in contact with body tissue. The structure includes an array of electrically conducting electrode segments carried by the exterior wall. An electrically conductive network is coupled to the electrode segments, including at least one electrically conductive path individually coupled to each electrode segment. The systems and methods operate in a first mode during which the network is electrically conditioned to individually sense at each electrode segment local electrical events in tissue, such as electrical potentials, resistivity, or impedance. The systems and methods operate in a second mode during which the network is electrically conditioned, based at least in part upon local electrical events sensed by the electrode segments, to couple at least two electrode segments together to simultaneously transmit electrical energy to heat or ablate a region of body tissue.
Inventors
- 👤 David K. Swanson
- 👤 Dorin Panescu
- 👤 James G. Whayne
- 👤 Jerome Jackson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:41
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1492; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00214
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 93
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A system for using in association with body tissue comprising a structure including an exterior wall adapted to contact tissue, the exterior wall adapted to selectively assume an expanded geometry having a first maximum diameter and a collapsed geometry having a second maximum diameter less than the first maximum diameter, an array of electrically conducting electrode segments carried by the exterior wall of the structure, an electrically conductive network coupled to the electrode segments, including at least one electrically conductive path individually coupled to each electrode segment, and a controller coupled to the electrically conductive network, the controller operating in a first mode during which the network is electrically conditioned to individually sense at each electrode segment local electrical events in tissue, the controller further operating in a second mode during which the network is electrically conditioned, based at least in part upon local electrical events sensed by the electrode segments, to couple at least two electrode segments together to simultaneously transmit electrical energy to create a physiological effect upon a region of body tissue.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
175 words
A system for using in association with body tissue comprising a structure including an exterior wall adapted to contact tissue, the exterior wall adapted to selectively assume an expanded geometry having a first maximum diameter and a collapsed geometry having a second maximum diameter less than the first maximum diameter, an array of electrically conducting electrode segments carried by the exterior wall of the structure, an electrically conductive network coupled to the electrode segments, including at least one electrically conductive path individually coupled to each electrode segment, and a controller coupled to the electrically conductive network, the controller operating in a first mode during which the network is electrically conditioned to individually sense at each electrode segment local electrical events in tissue, the controller further operating in a second mode during which the network is electrically conditioned, based at least in part upon local electrical events sensed by the electrode segments, to couple at least two electrode segments together to simultaneously transmit electrical energy to create a physiological effect upon a region of body tissue.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein, in the first mode, the controller electrically conditions the network to sense local electrical potentials in body tissue with individual electrode segments.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein, in the first mode, the controller electrically conditions the network to sense local resistivity in body tissue with individual electrode segments.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein, in the first mode, the controller electrically conditions the network to sense local impedance in body tissue with individual electrode segments.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 1 and further including at least one temperature sensing element carried by the exterior wall in association with the array of electrically conducting electrode segments.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
133 words
A system for use in association with body tissue comprising a structure including an exterior wall adapted to contact tissue, an array of electrically conducting electrode segments carried by the exterior wall of the structure, an electrically conductive network coupled to the electrode segments, including at least one electrically conductive path individually coupled to each electrode segment, and a controller coupled to the electrically conductive network, the controller operating in a first mode during which the network is electrically conditioned to individually transmit through each electrode segment electrical energy creating a local physiological effect upon body tissue, the controller further operating in a second mode during which the network is electrically conditioned to couple at least two electrode segments together to simultaneously transmit electrical energy creating a regional physiological effect upon body tissue.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
133 words
A system for use in association with body tissue comprising a structure including an exterior wall adapted to contact tissue, an array of electrically conducting electrode segments carried by the exterior wall of the structure, an electrically conductive network coupled to the electrode segments, including at least one electrically conductive path individually coupled to each electrode segment, and a controller coupled to the electrically conductive network, the controller operating in a first mode during which the network is electrically conditioned to individually transmit through each electrode segment electrical energy creating a local physiological effect upon body tissue, the controller further operating in a second mode during which the network is electrically conditioned to couple at least two electrode segments together to simultaneously transmit electrical energy creating a regional physiological effect upon body tissue.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system according to claim 6 wherein, in the first mode, the controller electrically conditions the network to locally stimulate body tissue with electrical energy individually transmitted by the electrode segments.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system according to claim 6 wherein the controller further operates in a third mode during which the network is electrically conditioned to individually sense at each electrode segment local electrical events in tissue.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system according to claim 8 wherein, in the third mode, the controller electrically conditions the network to sense local electrical potentials in heart tissue with individual electrode segments.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 8 wherein, in the third mode, the controller electrically conditions the network to sense local resistivity in heart tissue with individual electrode segments.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 8 wherein, in the third mode, the controller electrically conditions the network to sense local impedance in heart tissue with individual electrode segments.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system according to claim 1 or 6 wherein, in the second mode, the controller electrically conditions the network to heat a region of body tissue with electrical energy simultaneously transmitted by at least two electrode segments.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system according to claim 1 or 6 wherein, in the second mode, the controller electrically conditions the network to ablate a region of body tissue with electrical energy simultaneously transmitted by at least two electrode segments.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 6 and further including at least one temperature sensing element carried by the exterior wall in association with the array of electrically conducting electrode segments.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
174 words
A system for ablating heart tissue comprising a structure including an exterior wall adapted to contact heart tissue, the exterior wall adapted to selectively assume an expanded geometry having a first maximum diameter and a collapsed geometry having a second maximum diameter less than the first maximum diameter, an array of electrically conducting electrode segments carried by the exterior wall of the structure, an electrically conductive network coupled to the electrode segments, including at least one electrically conductive path individually coupled to each electrode segment, and a controller coupled to the electrically conductive network, the controller operating in a first mode during which the network is electrically conditioned to individually sense at each electrode segment a local electrical event in heart tissue, the controller further operating in a second mode during which the network is electrically conditioned, based at least in part upon local electrical events individually sensed by the electrode segments, to couple at least two electrode segments together to simultaneously transmit radio frequency electrical energy to ablate a region of heart tissue.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
174 words
A system for ablating heart tissue comprising a structure including an exterior wall adapted to contact heart tissue, the exterior wall adapted to selectively assume an expanded geometry having a first maximum diameter and a collapsed geometry having a second maximum diameter less than the first maximum diameter, an array of electrically conducting electrode segments carried by the exterior wall of the structure, an electrically conductive network coupled to the electrode segments, including at least one electrically conductive path individually coupled to each electrode segment, and a controller coupled to the electrically conductive network, the controller operating in a first mode during which the network is electrically conditioned to individually sense at each electrode segment a local electrical event in heart tissue, the controller further operating in a second mode during which the network is electrically conditioned, based at least in part upon local electrical events individually sensed by the electrode segments, to couple at least two electrode segments together to simultaneously transmit radio frequency electrical energy to ablate a region of heart tissue.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system according to claim 15 wherein, in the first mode, the controller electrically conditions the network to sense local electrical potentials in heart tissue with individual electrode segments.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 15 wherein, in the first mode, the controller electrically conditions the network to sense local resistivity in heart tissue with individual electrode segments.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 15 wherein, in the first mode, the controller electrically conditions the network to sense local impedance in heart tissue with individual electrode segments.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 15 and further including at least one temperature sensing element carried by the exterior wall in association with the array of electrically conducting electrode segments.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
128 words
A system for ablating heart tissue comprising a structure including an exterior wall adapted to contact heart tissue, an array of electrically conducting electrode segments carried by the exterior wall of the structure, an electrically conductive network coupled to the electrode segments, including at least one electrically conductive path individually coupled to each electrode segment, and a controller coupled to the electrically conductive network, the controller operating in a first mode during which the network is electrically conditioned to individually transmit through each electrode segment electrical energy to pace heart tissue, the controller further operating in a second mode during which the network is electrically conditioned to couple at least two electrode segments together to concurrently transmit radio frequency electrical energy to ablate a region of heart tissue.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
128 words
A system for ablating heart tissue comprising a structure including an exterior wall adapted to contact heart tissue, an array of electrically conducting electrode segments carried by the exterior wall of the structure, an electrically conductive network coupled to the electrode segments, including at least one electrically conductive path individually coupled to each electrode segment, and a controller coupled to the electrically conductive network, the controller operating in a first mode during which the network is electrically conditioned to individually transmit through each electrode segment electrical energy to pace heart tissue, the controller further operating in a second mode during which the network is electrically conditioned to couple at least two electrode segments together to concurrently transmit radio frequency electrical energy to ablate a region of heart tissue.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system according to claim 20 wherein the controller further operates in a third mode during which the network is electrically conditioned to individually sense at each electrode segment local electrical events in heart tissue.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system according to claim 21 wherein, in the third mode, the controller electrically conditions the network to sense local electrical potentials in heart tissue with individual electrode segments.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 21 wherein, in the third mode, the controller electrically conditions the network to sense local resistivity in body tissue with individual electrode segments.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 21 wherein, in the third mode, the controller electrically conditions the network to sense local impedance in body tissue with individual electrode segments.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 20 and further including at least one temperature sensing element carried by the exterior wall in association with the array of electrically conducting electrode segments.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
58 words
A system according to claim 1 or 6 or 15 or 20 wherein the exterior wall peripherally surrounds an interior area, and further including a lumen to convey a medium containing ions into the interior area, and wherein at least a portion of the exterior wall comprises a porous material sized to pass ions contained in the medium.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system according to claim 26 wherein the porous material comprises an ultrafiltration membrane.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system according to claim 26 wherein the porous material comprises a microporous membrane.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system according to claim 26 and further including an electrically conductive element contacting the medium within the interior area to transmit electrical energy for ionic transport through the medium and porous material.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 26 wherein the porous wall has an electrical resistivity of equal to or greater than about 500 ohm·cm.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 26 wherein the porous wall has an electrical resistivity of less than about 500 ohm·cm.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
62 words
A system according to claim 1 or 6 or 15 or 20 wherein the exterior wall is electrically conductive and peripherally surrounds an interior area, and further including a lumen to convey a medium containing ions into the interior area, and an electrically conductive element contacting the medium within the interior area to transmit electrical energy for ionic transport through the medium.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 32 wherein the exterior wall has an electrical resistivity of equal to or greater than about 500 ohm·cm.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 32 wherein the exterior wall has an electrical resistivity of less than about 500 ohm·cm.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 32 and wherein at least a portion of the exterior wall comprises a porous material sized to pass ions contained in the medium.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 35 wherein the porous material has an electrical resistivity of equal to or greater than about 500 ohm·cm.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 35 wherein the porous material has an electrical resistivity of less than about 500 ohm·cm.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system according to claim 35 wherein the porous material comprises an ultrafiltration membrane.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system according to claim 35 wherein the porous material comprises a microporous membrane.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system according to claim 6 or 20 wherein the exterior wall is adapted to selectively assume an expanded geometry having a first maximum diameter and a collapsed geometry having a second maximum diameter less than the first maximum diameter.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 1 or 6 or 15 or 20 wherein the exterior wall peripherally surrounds an interior area, and further including a support structure underlying the wall.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system according to claim 41 wherein the support structure is adapted to selectively assume an expanded geometry having a first maximum diameter and a collapsed geometry having a second maximum diameter less than the first maximum diameter.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 1 or 6 or 15 or 20 wherein the electrode segments comprise a coating deposited on the exterior wall.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 1 or 6 or 15 or 20 wherein the electrode segments comprise foil affixed to the exterior wall.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system according to claim 1 or 6 or 15 or 20 wherein the electrically conductive electrode segments comprise noninsulated signal wire exposed on the exterior wall.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
173 words
A system for using in association with body tissue comprising a structure including an exterior wall adapted to contact tissue, the exterior wall including a distal region and a proximal region, an array of electrically conducting electrode segments carried by the exterior wall of the structure, the array of electrically conducting electrode segments occupying more of the distal region than the proximal region. an electrically conductive network coupled to the electrode segments, including at least one electricaly conductive path individually coupled to each electrode segment, and a controller coupled to the electrically conductive network, the controller operating in a first mode during which the network is electrically conditioned to individually sense at each electrode segment local electrical events in tissue, the controller further operating in a second mode during which the network is electrically conditioned, based at least in part upon local electrical events sensed by the electrode segments, to couple at least two electrode segments together to simultaneously transmit electrical energy to create a physiological effect upon a region of body tissue.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
173 words
A system for using in association with body tissue comprising a structure including an exterior wall adapted to contact tissue, the exterior wall including a distal region and a proximal region, an array of electrically conducting electrode segments carried by the exterior wall of the structure, the array of electrically conducting electrode segments occupying more of the distal region than the proximal region. an electrically conductive network coupled to the electrode segments, including at least one electricaly conductive path individually coupled to each electrode segment, and a controller coupled to the electrically conductive network, the controller operating in a first mode during which the network is electrically conditioned to individually sense at each electrode segment local electrical events in tissue, the controller further operating in a second mode during which the network is electrically conditioned, based at least in part upon local electrical events sensed by the electrode segments, to couple at least two electrode segments together to simultaneously transmit electrical energy to create a physiological effect upon a region of body tissue.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 46 wherein at least 1/3rd of the proximal region is free of the array of electrically conducting electrode segments.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 46 wherein the array of electrically conducting electrode segments occupies at least 1/3rd of the distal region.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system according to claim 1 or 6 or 15 or 20 wherein the array of electrically conducting electrode segments is arranged in radially spaced zones.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system according to claim 1 or 6 or 15 or 20 wherein the array of electrically conducting electrode segments is arranged in circumferentially spaced zones.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
134 words
A system for pacing heart tissue comprising a structure including an exterior wall adapted to contact heart tissue, the exterior wall adapted to selectively assume an expanded geometry having a first maximum diameter and a collapsed geometry having a second maximum diameter less than the first maximum diameter, electrically conducting electrodes on the exterior wall of the structure, an electrically conductive network coupled to the electrodes, including at least one electrically conductive path individually coupled to each electrode, and a controller coupled to the electrically conductive network, the controller operating in a first mode during which the network is electrically conditioned to transmit electrical energy through the electrodes to pace heart tissue, the controller further operating in a second mode during which the network is electrically conditioned to sense electrical events through the electrodes.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
134 words
A system for pacing heart tissue comprising a structure including an exterior wall adapted to contact heart tissue, the exterior wall adapted to selectively assume an expanded geometry having a first maximum diameter and a collapsed geometry having a second maximum diameter less than the first maximum diameter, electrically conducting electrodes on the exterior wall of the structure, an electrically conductive network coupled to the electrodes, including at least one electrically conductive path individually coupled to each electrode, and a controller coupled to the electrically conductive network, the controller operating in a first mode during which the network is electrically conditioned to transmit electrical energy through the electrodes to pace heart tissue, the controller further operating in a second mode during which the network is electrically conditioned to sense electrical events through the electrodes.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system according to claim 51 wherein, in the first mode, the network is electrically conditioned to carry out pacing mapping.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system according to claim 51 wherein, in the first mode, the network is electrically conditioned to carry out entrainment pacing.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system according to claim 51 wherein the controller further operates in a third mode during which the network is electrically conditioned to transmit radio frequency electrical energy through at least two of the electrodes to ablate heart tissue.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system according to claim 51 wherein the exterior wall includes a distal region and a proximal region, and wherein the electrodes occupy more of the distal region than the proximal region.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 51 wherein at least 1/3rd of the proximal region is free of the electrodes.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 51 wherein the electrodes occupy at least 1/3rd of the distal region.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 51 wherein the electrodes are arranged in radially spaced segments.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 51 wherein the electrodes are arranged in circumferentially spaced segments.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 51 wherein the electrodes comprise a coating deposited on the exterior wall.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 51 wherein the electrodes comprise foil affixed to the exterior wall.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 51 wherein the electrodes comprise noninsulated signal wire exposed on the exterior wall.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system according to claim 51 and further including at least one temperature sensing element carried by the exterior wall in association with the array of electrically conducting electrodes.
Claim 70
Independent Claim
161 words
A method for heating body tissue comprising the steps of placing a structure having an exterior wall in contact with body tissue, the exterior wall adapted to selectively assume an expanded geometry having a first maximum diameter and a collapsed geometry having a second maximum diameter less than the first maximum diameter, the structure including an array of electrically conducting electrode segments carried by the exterior wall and an electrically conductive network coupled to the electrode segments, including at least one electrically conductive path individually coupled to each electrode segment, operating in a first mode during which the network is electrically conditioned to individually sense at each electrode segment local electrical events in tissue, and operating in a second mode during which the network is electrically conditioned, based at least in part upon local electrical events sensed by the electrode segments, to couple at least two electrode segments together to simultaneously transmit electrical energy to heat a region of body tissue.
Claim 71
Independent Claim
161 words
A method for heating body tissue comprising the steps of placing a structure having an exterior wall in contact with body tissue, the exterior wall adapted to selectively assume an expanded geometry having a first maximum diameter and a collapsed geometry having a second maximum diameter less than the first maximum diameter, the structure including an array of electrically conducting electrode segments carried by the exterior wall and an electrically conductive network coupled to the electrode segments, including at least one electrically conductive path individually coupled to each electrode segment, operating in a first mode during which the network is electrically conditioned to individually sense at each electrode segment local electrical events in tissue, and operating in a second mode during which the network is electrically conditioned, based at least in part upon local electrical events sensed by the electrode segments, to couple at least two electrode segments together to simultaneously transmit electrical energy to heat a region of body tissue.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 64 wherein, when operating in the first mode, the network senses local electrical potentials in body tissue with individual electrode segments.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 64 wherein, when operating in the first mode, the network senses local resistivity in body tissue with individual electrode segments.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 64 wherein, when operating in the first mode, the network senses local impedance in body tissue with individual electrode segments.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 64 and further including the step of operating in a third mode, during which the network is electrically conditioned to individually transmit through each electrode segment electrical energy to locally stimulate body tissue.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 64 wherein, when operating in the second mode, the network ablates body tissue.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 64 wherein, in placing a structure, the exterior wall is placed in contact with heart tissue.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 64 and further including the step, while operating in the second mode, of sensing temperature.
Claim 79
Independent Claim
163 words
A method for pacing heart tissue comprising the steps of providing a structure including an exterior wall adapted to selectively assume an expanded geometry having a first maximum diameter and a collapsed geometry having a second maximum diameter less than the first maximum diameter, the structure including electrically conducting electrodes on the exterior wall of the structure and an electrically conductive network coupled to the electrodes, including at least one electrically conductive path individually coupled to each electrode, and guiding the structure into a heart chamber while in the collapsed geometry, causing the structure to assume the expanded geometry within the heart chamber, placing the structure, when in the expanded geometry, in contact with heart tissue within the heart chamber, operating in a first mode during which the network is electrically conditioned to transmit electrical energy through the electrodes to pace heart tissue, and operating in a second mode during which the network is electrically conditioned to sense electrical events through the electrodes.
Claim 80
Independent Claim
163 words
A method for pacing heart tissue comprising the steps of providing a structure including an exterior wall adapted to selectively assume an expanded geometry having a first maximum diameter and a collapsed geometry having a second maximum diameter less than the first maximum diameter, the structure including electrically conducting electrodes on the exterior wall of the structure and an electrically conductive network coupled to the electrodes, including at least one electrically conductive path individually coupled to each electrode, and guiding the structure into a heart chamber while in the collapsed geometry, causing the structure to assume the expanded geometry within the heart chamber, placing the structure, when in the expanded geometry, in contact with heart tissue within the heart chamber, operating in a first mode during which the network is electrically conditioned to transmit electrical energy through the electrodes to pace heart tissue, and operating in a second mode during which the network is electrically conditioned to sense electrical events through the electrodes.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 72 wherein, in the first mode, the network is electrically conditioned to carry out pacing mapping.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 72 wherein, in the first mode, the network is electrically conditioned to carry out entrainment pacing.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 72 and further including the step of operating in a third mode during which the network is electrically conditioned to transmit radio frequency electrical energy through at least two of the electrodes to ablate heart tissue.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 75 and further including the step, while operating in the third mode, of sensing temperature.
Claim 85
Independent Claim
189 words
A system for diagnosing and treating body tissue, comprising: a structure including a wall, the wall including an exterior adapted to contact tissue; an array of electrically conducting electrode segments carried by the exterior of the wall of the structure and arranged in spaced apart zones, the spaced apart zones defining a region of the wall between the zones; an electrically conductive network coupled to the electrode segments, including at least one electrically conductive path individually coupled to each electrode segment; a controller coupled to the electrically conductive network, the controller operating in a first mode during which the network is electrically configured to individually sense at each electrode segment local electrical activity in the body tissue, the controller further operating in a second mode during which the network is electrically configured, based at least in part upon local electrical events sensed by the electrode segments, to couple at least two electrode segments together to simultaneously transmit electrical energy to create a physiological effect upon a region of body tissue, and additional electrode segments carried by the region of the wall between the zones and coupled to the controller.
Claim 86
Independent Claim
189 words
A system for diagnosing and treating body tissue, comprising: a structure including a wall, the wall including an exterior adapted to contact tissue; an array of electrically conducting electrode segments carried by the exterior of the wall of the structure and arranged in spaced apart zones, the spaced apart zones defining a region of the wall between the zones; an electrically conductive network coupled to the electrode segments, including at least one electrically conductive path individually coupled to each electrode segment; a controller coupled to the electrically conductive network, the controller operating in a first mode during which the network is electrically configured to individually sense at each electrode segment local electrical activity in the body tissue, the controller further operating in a second mode during which the network is electrically configured, based at least in part upon local electrical events sensed by the electrode segments, to couple at least two electrode segments together to simultaneously transmit electrical energy to create a physiological effect upon a region of body tissue, and additional electrode segments carried by the region of the wall between the zones and coupled to the controller.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 77, wherein the additional electrode segments are carried by the exterior of the wall.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system according to claim 78, wherein the additional electrode segments include bipolar electrode segments adapted to allow a function selected from the group consisting of acquiring bipolar electrograms, pacing, and acquiring E-Characteristic measurements.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 78, wherein the additional electrode segments are smaller than the electrode segments of the array.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system according to claim 77, and wherein the wall includes an interior, and wherein the additional electrode segments are carried by the interior of the wall.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system according to claim 81, wherein the additional electrode segments are adapted to allow a function selected from the group consisting of unipolar sensing, bipolar sensing, pacing, and acquiring E-Characteristic measurements.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system according to claim 81, wherein the interelectrode distance is approximately 1 mm.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
52 words
A system according to claim 81, wherein the structure includes a distal tip, a proximal tip, and a center located between the distal tip and proximal tip, and wherein the electrode segments are carried at a location on the structure selected from the group consisting of the distal tip and the center.
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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) | 2001-11-16 | 2002-05-18 | 2002-11-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-11-16 | 2006-05-18 | 2006-11-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-11-16 | 2010-05-18 | 2010-11-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |