US6179835B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Expandable-collapsible electrode structures made of electrically conductive material
Assignee: EP Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1999-04-27
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Granted: 2001-01-30
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Expires: 2019-04-27
Abstract
Abstract Electrode assemblies and associated systems employ a nonporous wall having an exterior for contacting tissue. The exterior peripherally surrounds an interior area. The wall is essentially free of electrically conductive material. The wall is adapted to 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 assemblies and systems include a lumen that conveys a medium containing ions into the interior area. An element free of physical contact with the wall couples the medium within the interior area to a source of electrical energy to enable ionic transport of electrical energy from the source through the medium to the wall for capacitive coupling to tissue contacting the exterior of the wall.
Inventors
- 👤 Dorin Panescu
- 👤 David K. Swanson
- 👤 James G. Whayne
- 👤 Thomas F. Kordis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:29
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/06; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1492; A61L; A61L29/00; A61L29/08; A61L29/085; A61L29/14; A61L29/145; A61L31/00; A61L31/08; A61L31/10; A61L31/14; A61L31/145; A61N1/05; A61N1/056; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022; A61B2017/00039; A61B2017/00044; A61B2017/00048; A61B2017/00053; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00243; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22051; A61B2017/22061; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00059; A61B2018/00065; A61B2018/00071; A61B2018/00083; A61B2018/00089; A61B2018/00095; A61B2018/00107; A61B2018/00113; A61B2018/00148; A61B2018/00214; A61B2018/0022; A61B2018/00267; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00839; A61B18/1206; A61B2018/1246; A61B2018/1253; A61B2018/1472; A61B2218/00; A61B2218/001; A61B2218/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
A family of collapsible electrode assemblies having different resistivities for creating different lesion characteristics in body tissue, each collapsible electrode assembly comprising an electrically conductive polymer body of a predetermined different resistivity adapted to transmit electrically energy to tissue and 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 2
Dependent Claim
67 words
A family of collapsible electrode assemblies having different resistivities for creating different lesion characteristics in body tissue, each collapsible electrode assembly comprising an electrically conductive polymer body of a predetermined different resistivity adapted to transmit electrically energy to tissue and 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 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The family of collapsible electrode assemblies of claim 1 , wherein each electrically conductive polymer body includes a wall and an electrically conductive material is located within the wall.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The family of collapsible electrode assemblies of claim 2 , wherein all or at least a portion of the wall is coextruded with said electrically conductive material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The family of collapsible electrode assemblies of claim 3 , wherein the resistivity of each electrically conductive polymer body is varied by varying the amount of conductive material coextruded into the walls of respective bodies.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The family of collapsible electrode assemblies of claim 2 , wherein said electrically conductive material is a member from the group consisting of carbon black and chopped carbon fiber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The family of collapsible electrode assemblies of claim 1 , further including an electrically conductive shell carried by each electrically conductive polymer body and electrically coupled thereto.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The family of collapsible electrode assemblies of claim 1 , wherein each electrically conductive polymer body has a resistivity close to the resistivity of body tissue.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-01-30 | 2004-07-31 | 2005-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-01-30 | 2008-07-31 | 2009-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-01-30 | 2012-07-31 | 2013-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |