US6228076B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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System and method for controlling tissue ablation
Assignee: Spectranetics LLC
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Filing: 1999-01-09
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Granted: 2001-05-08
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Expires: 2019-01-09
Abstract
Abstract A control system and method for controlling tissue ablation uses optical time domain reflectometry data to differentiate abnormal tissue from normal tissue, and to control ablation of abnormal tissue by controlling a tissue ablative apparatus. Using data provided by an interferometric apparatus, the control system provides control signals to the tissue ablative apparatus, controlling activation of the tissue ablation apparatus so that normal tissue is left untreated while abnormal tissue is ablated.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas R. Winston
- 👤 John M. Neet
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 21:04
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/1206; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022; A61B2017/00057; A61B2017/00061
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for controlling tissue ablation using a tissue ablation system, the tissue ablation system including a control system coupled to tissue ablative apparatus and to interferometric apparatus, the control system configured to use interferomtric data from the interferomtric apparatus to detect interfaces between normal and abnormal tissue, said method comprising the steps of: generating interferometric data from a tissue with the interferometeric apparatus; providing the interferometric data to the control system to detect whether an interface between an abnormal tissue and a normal tissue is present; and if an interface is present, generating control signals with the control system to alter the operation of the tissue ablative apparatus.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for controlling tissue ablation using a tissue ablation system, the tissue ablation system including a control system coupled to tissue ablative apparatus and to interferometric apparatus, the control system configured to use interferomtric data from the interferomtric apparatus to detect interfaces between normal and abnormal tissue, said method comprising the steps of: generating interferometric data from a tissue with the interferometeric apparatus; providing the interferometric data to the control system to detect whether an interface between an abnormal tissue and a normal tissue is present; and if an interface is present, generating control signals with the control system to alter the operation of the tissue ablative apparatus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein detecting whether an interface between an abnormal tissue and a normal tissue is present comprises the step of detecting whether abnormal tissue is present.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein altering the operation of the tissue ablative apparatus comprises the step of enabling the tissue ablative apparatus so that the abnormal tissue is ablated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein detecting whether an interface between an abnormal tissue and a normal tissue is present further comprises the step of advancing the tissue ablative apparatus into an area having abnormal tissue until normal tissue is detected.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method in accordance with claim 4 wherein altering the operation of the tissue ablative apparatus further comprises the step of, if normal tissue is detected, then disenabling the tissue ablative apparatus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein detecting whether an interface between an abnormal tissue and a normal tissue is present comprises the step of detecting whether normal tissue is present.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method in accordance with claim 6 wherein detecting whether an interface between an abnormal tissue and a normal tissue is present further comprises the step of, if normal tissue is present, altering the position of the tissue ablative apparatus until abnormal tissue is detected.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method in accordance with claim 7 wherein the tissue ablative apparatus includes a stepping motor, and wherein altering the position of the tissue ablative apparatus comprises the step of altering control signals supplied to the stepping motor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method in accordance with claim 7 wherein altering the operation of the tissue ablative apparatus comprises the steps of: if abnormal tissue is detected, then advancing the tissue ablative apparatus into the abnormal tissue; and enabling the tissue ablative apparatus.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the control system is coupled to an interferometric apparatus, and wherein detecting whether an interface is present comprises the steps of: generating interference data; and using the interference data to identify the interface between an abnormal tissue and a normal tissue.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
70 words
A method in accordance with claim 10 wherein the interferometric apparatus includes a sampling optical fiber having a distal sampling end, and wherein detecting whether an interface between normal tissue and abnormal tissue is present comprises the steps of: generating a function from the interference data for reflected light intensity versus distance from the sampling end of the sampling optical fiber; and examining the rate of decay of the function.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method in accordance with claim 11 wherein examining the rate of decay of the function comprises the step of identifying actual inflection points of the function.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method in accordance with claim 10 further comprising the step of using the interference data to generate a psuedoimage of a tissue.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the control system is coupled to a spectroscopic apparatus, and wherein detecting whether an interface is present comprises the steps of: generating spectroscopic data; and using the spectroscopic data to identify an interface between abnormal tissue and normal tissue.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the tissue ablative apparatus includes a tissue ablative element coupled to an energy source, the energy source coupled to the control system, and wherein altering the operation of the tissue ablative apparatus comprises the step of altering control signals supplied to the energy source.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
83 words
A control system for controlling tissue ablative apparatus, said control system comprising: a microprocessor and an energy controller, said control system configured for coupling to the tissue ablative apparatus and to interferometric apparatus, said control system configured to use interferometric data from the interferometric apparatus to detect whether an interface between an abnormal tissue and a normal tissue is present and if an interface is present, to generate control signals to the energy controller to alter the operation of the tissue ablative apparatus.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
83 words
A control system for controlling tissue ablative apparatus, said control system comprising: a microprocessor and an energy controller, said control system configured for coupling to the tissue ablative apparatus and to interferometric apparatus, said control system configured to use interferometric data from the interferometric apparatus to detect whether an interface between an abnormal tissue and a normal tissue is present and if an interface is present, to generate control signals to the energy controller to alter the operation of the tissue ablative apparatus.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
72 words
A system in accordance with claim 16 wherein the interferometric apparatus includes a sampling optical fiber having a distal sampling end, and wherein to detect whether an interface between normal tissue and abnormal tissue is present, said system is configured to: generate a function for reflected light intensity against distance from the sampling end of the sampling optical fiber utilizing the interference data; and determine a rate of decay of the function.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system in accordance with claim 17 wherein to determine the rate of decay of the function, said system is configured to identify actual inflection points of the function.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system in accordance with claim 16 further configured to generate a psuedoimage of a tissue utilizing the interference data.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
49 words
A system in accordance with claim 16 wherein a spectroscopic apparatus configured to generate spectroscopic data is coupled to said control system, and wherein to detect whether an interface is present, said system is configured to: identify an interface between abnormal tissue and normal tissue using the spectroscopic data.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system in accordance with claim 20 wherein the spectroscopic apparatus comprises Raman spectroscopic apparatus.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system in accordance with claim 20 wherein the spectroscopic apparatus comprises Rayleigh spectroscopic apparatus.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system in accordance with claim 16 wherein to alter the operation of the tissue ablative apparatus, said system is configured to enable the tissue ablative apparatus to ablate the abnormal tissue, if an interface between normal and abnormal tissue is detected.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system in accordance with claim 16 wherein to alter the operation of the tissue ablative apparatus, said system is configured to disenable the tissue ablative apparatus so that the normal tissue is unharmed, if an interface between abnormal and normal tissue is detected.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
54 words
A system in accordance with claim 16 wherein the tissue ablative apparatus includes a tissue ablative element coupled to an energy source, the energy source coupled to said control system, and wherein to alter the operation of the tissue ablative apparatus, said system is configured to alter control signals supplied to the energy source.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system in accordance with claim 16 wherein the tissue ablative apparatus includes a stepping motor, and wherein to alter the operation of the tissue ablative apparatus, said system configured to alter control signals supplied to the stepping motor.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
109 words
A tissue ablation system for ablating tissue, said system comprising: tissue ablative apparatus comprising a tissue ablative element and an ablation energy source; interferometric apparatus comprising a low coherent light source, for providing interference data; and a control system coupled to said interferometric apparatus, said control system comprising a microprocessor and an energy controller coupled to said ablation energy source for altering an energy signal supplied to said tissue ablative apparatus, said control system configured to use the interference data to detect whether an interface between normal tissue and abnormal tissue is present and if the interface is present, alter the energy signal supplied to the tissue ablative apparatus.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
109 words
A tissue ablation system for ablating tissue, said system comprising: tissue ablative apparatus comprising a tissue ablative element and an ablation energy source; interferometric apparatus comprising a low coherent light source, for providing interference data; and a control system coupled to said interferometric apparatus, said control system comprising a microprocessor and an energy controller coupled to said ablation energy source for altering an energy signal supplied to said tissue ablative apparatus, said control system configured to use the interference data to detect whether an interface between normal tissue and abnormal tissue is present and if the interface is present, alter the energy signal supplied to the tissue ablative apparatus.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system in accordance with claim 27 wherein said tissue ablative element comprises a laser catheter.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system in accordance with claim 27 wherein said tissue ablative element comprises a radio frequency device.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system in accordance with claim 27 wherein said tissue ablative element comprises a mechanical atherectomy device.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system in accordance with claim 27 wherein said tissue ablative element comprises an ultrasound device.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system in accordance with claim 27 wherein said tissue ablative element comprises a microwave device.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system in accordance with claim 27 further comprising an output display device coupled to said microprocessor.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system in accordance with claim 33 wherein said output display device comprises a computer monitor.
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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) | 2004-05-07 | 2004-11-06 | 2005-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-05-07 | 2008-11-06 | 2009-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-05-07 | 2012-11-06 | 2013-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |