US5902328A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrophysiology energy treatment device and method of use
Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed Inc
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Filing: 1996-11-14
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Granted: 1999-05-11
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Expires: 2016-11-14
Abstract
Abstract An electrophysiology energy treatment device for treating tissues within a patient's body with electrical energy comprises an elongate catheter tube having a distal end insertable into the patient's body. An electrode is within the catheter tube adjacent the distal end and locatable within the patient's body, and an electrolyte fluid flows within the catheter tube for electrically connecting the electrode to the tissues to be treated within the patient's body. A method of treating tissues within a patient's body with electrical energy is also provided. The method comprises the steps of: providing an energy treatment device having an electrode and a distal tip, the electrode being located within the patient's body offset proximally of the distal tip; placing the distal tip within the patient's body adjacent the tissues to be treated with electrical energy; energizing the electrode with electrical energy; and electrically connecting the electrode to the tissues to be treated with an electrolyte fluid flowing from the electrode to the tissues for treating the tissues with electrical energy.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel M. Lafontaine
- 👤 Jenifer Kennedy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 08:06
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/44; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1485; A61B18/1492; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/06; A61N1/40; A61N1/403; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00059; A61B2018/00065; A61B2018/00214; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00345; A61B2018/00351; A61B2018/00357; A61B2018/00392; A61B2018/00571; A61B2018/00577; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00839; A61B18/1206; A61B2018/1246; A61B2018/1253; A61B2018/1472; A61B2218/00; A61B2218/001; A61B2218/002; A61B2218/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A catheter assembly for the controlled ablation of body tissue using radio frequency (RF) energy, comprising: an elongate catheter having a distal portion adapted to be inserted into a patient's body, a proximal portion attachable to a source of electrolytic fluid, and a lumen for delivering fluid from the proximal portion to the distal portion; a porous member disposed on the distal portion of the catheter, the porous member defining an interior region in communication with the lumen; and an electrode disposed in the interior region and configured for coupling to a source of RF energy, whereby RF energy may be transferred from the electrode to selected tissue areas in a patient's body via electrolytic fluid delivered through the lumen and passing through the porous member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
A catheter assembly for the controlled ablation of body tissue using radio frequency (RF) energy, comprising: an elongate catheter having a distal portion adapted to be inserted into a patient's body, a proximal portion attachable to a source of electrolytic fluid, and a lumen for delivering fluid from the proximal portion to the distal portion; a porous member disposed on the distal portion of the catheter, the porous member defining an interior region in communication with the lumen; and an electrode disposed in the interior region and configured for coupling to a source of RF energy, whereby RF energy may be transferred from the electrode to selected tissue areas in a patient's body via electrolytic fluid delivered through the lumen and passing through the porous member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The catheter assembly of claim 1, wherein the porous member is expandable.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The catheter assembly of claim 1, wherein the proximal portion of the catheter is configured for attaching to a controllable source of RF energy, the catheter further comprising a conductor extending from the proximal portion to the electrode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The catheter assembly of claim 1, wherein the porous member has a predetermined shape for facilitating contact between fluid discharged through the porous member and the selected tissue areas.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The catheter assembly of claim 1, wherein the porous member includes one or more openings at predetermined locations for directing fluid delivered from the lumen to the selected tissue areas.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
119 words
A catheter assembly for the controlled RF ablation of tissue using radio frequency (RF) energy, comprising: an elongate catheter having a distal portion adapted to be inserted into a patient's body, a proximal portion attachable to a source of electrolytic fluid, and a lumen for delivering fluid from the proximal portion to the distal portion; a porous member disposed on the distal portion of the catheter and in communication with the lumen; and an electrode disposed on the distal portion of the catheter and configured for coupling to a source of RF energy, whereby RF energy may be transferred from the electrode to selected tissue areas via electrolytic fluid delivered through the lumen and passing through the porous member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
119 words
A catheter assembly for the controlled RF ablation of tissue using radio frequency (RF) energy, comprising: an elongate catheter having a distal portion adapted to be inserted into a patient's body, a proximal portion attachable to a source of electrolytic fluid, and a lumen for delivering fluid from the proximal portion to the distal portion; a porous member disposed on the distal portion of the catheter and in communication with the lumen; and an electrode disposed on the distal portion of the catheter and configured for coupling to a source of RF energy, whereby RF energy may be transferred from the electrode to selected tissue areas via electrolytic fluid delivered through the lumen and passing through the porous member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The catheter assembly of claim 6, wherein the porous member is enlarged when fluid is delivered through the lumen.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The catheter assembly of claim 6, wherein the proximal portion of the catheter is configured for attaching to a controllable source of RF energy, the catheter further comprising a conductor extending from the proximal portion to the electrode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The catheter assembly of claim 6, wherein the porous member has a predetermined shape for facilitating contact between fluid discharged through the porous member and the selected tissue areas.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The catheter assembly of claim 6, wherein the porous member includes one or more openings at predetermined locations for directing fluid delivered from the lumen to the selected tissue areas.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The catheter assembly of claim 6, the porous member defining an interior region in communication with the lumen, wherein the electrode is disposed in the interior region.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for the controlled radio frequency (RF) ablation of body tissues using a catheter assembly, the catheter assembly comprising an elongate catheter having a distal portion adapted to be inserted into a patient's body, a proximal portion attachable to a source of electrolytic fluid and a lumen for delivering fluid from the proximal portion to the distal portion, a porous member disposed on the distal portion and defining an interior region in communication with the lumen, and an electrode disposed in the interior region and configured for coupling to a source of RF energy, the method comprising: positioning the distal portion of a catheter proximate selected tissues to be ablated; energizing the electrode with RF energy; and directing electrolytic fluid through the catheter lumen and porous member, respectively, whereby RF energy is transferred from the electrode to the selected body tissues via the electrolytic fluid to ablate the selected body tissues.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for the controlled radio frequency (RF) ablation of body tissues using a catheter assembly, the catheter assembly comprising an elongate catheter having a distal portion adapted to be inserted into a patient's body, a proximal portion attachable to a source of electrolytic fluid and a lumen for delivering fluid from the proximal portion to the distal portion, a porous member disposed on the distal portion and defining an interior region in communication with the lumen, and an electrode disposed in the interior region and configured for coupling to a source of RF energy, the method comprising: positioning the distal portion of a catheter proximate selected tissues to be ablated; energizing the electrode with RF energy; and directing electrolytic fluid through the catheter lumen and porous member, respectively, whereby RF energy is transferred from the electrode to the selected body tissues via the electrolytic fluid to ablate the selected body tissues.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 12, the porous member comprising one or more openings, the method further comprising: orienting the distal portion of the catheter to positively direct the electrolytic fluid into the selected body tissues.
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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) | 2002-05-10 | 2002-11-09 | 2003-05-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-05-10 | 2006-11-09 | 2007-05-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-05-10 | 2010-11-09 | 2011-05-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |