US6068653A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electrophysiology catheter device
Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed Inc
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Filing: 1996-11-20
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Granted: 2000-05-30
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Expires: 2016-11-20
Abstract
Abstract An ablation and mapping catheter is disclosed which incorporates a fluid electrode for contacting tissue. The fluid emerges along the length of the catheter to generate a linear lesion in the cardiac tissue.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel Marc LaFontaine
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:44
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; 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: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 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 electrolyte fluid, and a lumen for delivering fluid from the proximal portion to the distal portion; a plurality of electrodes disposed proximate the distal portion of the catheter and in communication with electrolyte fluid directed through the lumen, the plurality of electrodes being adapted for coupling to a source of RF energy; and a porous sheath having a length disposed on the distal portion of the catheter and enclosing the plurality of electrodes, said porous sheath being porous along its length whereby RF energy may be transferred from the plurality of electrodes to selected tissue areas in a patient's body via electrolyte fluid delivered through the lumen and passing through the sheath.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 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 electrolyte fluid, and a lumen for delivering fluid from the proximal portion to the distal portion; a plurality of electrodes disposed proximate the distal portion of the catheter and in communication with electrolyte fluid directed through the lumen, the plurality of electrodes being adapted for coupling to a source of RF energy; and a porous sheath having a length disposed on the distal portion of the catheter and enclosing the plurality of electrodes, said porous sheath being porous along its length whereby RF energy may be transferred from the plurality of electrodes to selected tissue areas in a patient's body via electrolyte fluid delivered through the lumen and passing through the sheath.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The catheter assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of electrodes are axially spaced along the distal portion of the catheter so as to generate a linear lesion along a selected body tissue area upon the application of RF energy to the electrodes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The catheter assembly of claim 2, wherein the catheter includes a plurality of openings communicating with the lumen, each opening having an outlet disposed adjacent to at least one of the electrodes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The catheter assembly of claim 1, wherein the proximal portion of the catheter is connectable to a source of RF energy, and wherein the catheter further comprises one or more conductors extending from the proximal portion to each of the plurality of electrodes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the proximal portion of the catheter is connectable to a source of RF energy, and wherein the catheter further comprises a conductor extending from the proximal portion to the distal portion, the conductor being connected to each of the plurality of electrodes such that each electrode may be individually accessed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
169 words
An electrophysiology device 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 electrolyte fluid, and a lumen for delivering fluid from the proximal portion to the distal portion; a plurality of electrodes axially spaced along the distal portion of the catheter; one or more conductors extending from the proximal portion to the distal portion of the catheter and adapted for electrically coupling the plurality of electrodes to a source of RF energy; and a porous sheath having a length disposed on the distal portion of the catheter and enclosing the plurality of electrodes, the porous sheath being porous along its length and defining an interior region in communication with the lumen, whereby RF energy may be transferred from the plurality of electrodes to selected tissue areas in a patient's body via electrolyte fluid delivered through the lumen and passing through the sheath.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
169 words
An electrophysiology device 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 electrolyte fluid, and a lumen for delivering fluid from the proximal portion to the distal portion; a plurality of electrodes axially spaced along the distal portion of the catheter; one or more conductors extending from the proximal portion to the distal portion of the catheter and adapted for electrically coupling the plurality of electrodes to a source of RF energy; and a porous sheath having a length disposed on the distal portion of the catheter and enclosing the plurality of electrodes, the porous sheath being porous along its length and defining an interior region in communication with the lumen, whereby RF energy may be transferred from the plurality of electrodes to selected tissue areas in a patient's body via electrolyte fluid delivered through the lumen and passing through the sheath.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The electrophysiology device of claim 6, wherein at least one of the plurality of electrodes has an associated independent electrical connection at the proximal portion of the catheter for individually electrically coupling a source of RF energy to the respective electrode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 6, wherein one or more of the plurality of electrodes are disposed within the lumen.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
180 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 electrolyte fluid, and a lumen for delivering fluid from the proximal portion to the distal portion, a plurality of electrodes disposed proximate the distal portion of the catheter and in communication with the lumen, the plurality of electrodes being adapted for coupling to a source of RF energy, and a porous sheath having a length disposed on the distal portion of the catheter and enclosing the plurality of electrodes wherein the porous sheath is porous along its length, the method comprising: positioning the distal portion of the catheter adjacent a selected body tissue area to be ablated; energizing the plurality of electrodes with RF energy; and directing electrolyte fluid through the catheter lumen and said porous sheath, respectively, whereby RF energy is transferred from the plurality of electrodes to the selected tissue area via the electrolyte fluid.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
180 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 electrolyte fluid, and a lumen for delivering fluid from the proximal portion to the distal portion, a plurality of electrodes disposed proximate the distal portion of the catheter and in communication with the lumen, the plurality of electrodes being adapted for coupling to a source of RF energy, and a porous sheath having a length disposed on the distal portion of the catheter and enclosing the plurality of electrodes wherein the porous sheath is porous along its length, the method comprising: positioning the distal portion of the catheter adjacent a selected body tissue area to be ablated; energizing the plurality of electrodes with RF energy; and directing electrolyte fluid through the catheter lumen and said porous sheath, respectively, whereby RF energy is transferred from the plurality of electrodes to the selected tissue area via the electrolyte fluid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the plurality of electrodes are axially spaced along the distal portion of the catheter so as to generate a linear lesion in the selected tissues area.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 10, wherein the catheter includes a plurality of connectors adapted for individually coupling the plurality of electrodes to a source of RF energy, and wherein the method further comprises energizing an individual electrode to focus energy in a linear fashion along the selected tissue area.
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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) | 2003-05-30 | 2003-11-29 | 2004-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-05-30 | 2007-11-29 | 2008-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-05-30 | 2011-11-29 | 2012-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |