US7156845B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for creating a bi-polar virtual electrode used for the ablation of tissue
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
•
Filing: 2005-09-16
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Granted: 2007-01-02
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Expires: 2025-09-16
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for creating a virtual electrode to ablate bodily tissue. The apparatus includes an outer tube, a first electrode, an inner tube and a second electrode. The outer tube is fluidly connected to a source of conductive fluid and defines a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end includes an opening for delivering conductive fluid from the outer tube. The first electrode is disposed at the distal end of the outer tube for applying a current to conductive fluid delivered from the outer tube. The inner tube is coaxially received within the outer tube and is connected to a source of conductive fluid. The inner tube defines a proximal end and a distal end, with the distal end forming an opening for delivering conductive fluid from the inner tube. Finally, the second electrode is disposed at the distal end of the inner tube for applying a current to conductive fluid delivered from the inner tube. With this configuration, upon final assembly, the distal end of the outer tube is axially spaced from the distal end of the inner tube such that the first electrode is spaced from the second electrode. As a result, a bi-polar virtual electrode can be established.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter M. J. Mulier
- 👤 Michael F. Hoey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:04
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1482; A61B2018/00005; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00273; A61B2018/00291; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00642; A61B2018/00696; A61B2018/00702; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00791; A61B2018/00875; A61B18/1206; A61B2018/1246; A61B2018/126; A61B2018/1472; A61B2218/00; A61B2218/001; A61B2218/002; A61B2218/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for ablating tissue comprising: providing a suction ablation device having a distal portion, the distal portion comprising: a first electrode having a first lumen; a second electrode spaced from the first electrode and having a second lumen; and a suction member, wherein at least a portion of the suction member is positioned between the first and second electrodes; positioning the first and second electrodes adjacent tissue; providing suction to the suction member to draw tissue into contact with the suction ablation device; flowing a fluid through the first and second lumens; and providing an electric current to the first and second electrodes for ablating tissue.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for ablating tissue comprising: providing a suction ablation device having a distal portion, the distal portion comprising: a first electrode having a first lumen; a second electrode spaced from the first electrode and having a second lumen; and a suction member, wherein at least a portion of the suction member is positioned between the first and second electrodes; positioning the first and second electrodes adjacent tissue; providing suction to the suction member to draw tissue into contact with the suction ablation device; flowing a fluid through the first and second lumens; and providing an electric current to the first and second electrodes for ablating tissue.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the fluid is provided from a fluid source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the fluid is an electrically conductive fluid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein the electrically conductive fluid comprises saline.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the electric current comprises radiofrequency alternating current provided from a radiofrequency generator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein suction is provided from a vacuum source.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for ablating tissue comprising: providing a suction ablation device having a distal portion, the distal portion comprising: a first electrode; a second electrode spaced from the first electrode; and a suction member, wherein at least a portion of the suction member is positioned between the first and second electrodes; positioning the first and second electrodes adjacent tissue; providing suction to the suction member to draw tissue into contact with the suction ablation device; providing a fluid to the first and second electrodes; and providing an electric current to the first and second electrodes for ablating tissue.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for ablating tissue comprising: providing a suction ablation device having a distal portion, the distal portion comprising: a first electrode; a second electrode spaced from the first electrode; and a suction member, wherein at least a portion of the suction member is positioned between the first and second electrodes; positioning the first and second electrodes adjacent tissue; providing suction to the suction member to draw tissue into contact with the suction ablation device; providing a fluid to the first and second electrodes; and providing an electric current to the first and second electrodes for ablating tissue.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein the fluid is provided from a fluid source.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein the fluid is an electrically conductive fluid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein the electrically conductive fluid comprises saline.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein the electric current comprises radiofrequency alternating current provided from a radiofrequency generator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein suction is provided from a vacuum source.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for ablating tissue comprising: providing a suction ablation device having a distal portion, the distal portion comprising: a first electrode; a second electrode spaced from the first electrode; a suction member, wherein at least a portion of the suction member is positioned between the first and second electrodes; and a temperature sensor; positioning the first and second electrodes adjacent tissue; providing suction to the suction member to draw tissue into contact with the suction ablation device; providing a fluid to the first and second electrodes; providing an electric current to the first and second electrodes for ablating tissue; and measuring a temperature.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for ablating tissue comprising: providing a suction ablation device having a distal portion, the distal portion comprising: a first electrode; a second electrode spaced from the first electrode; a suction member, wherein at least a portion of the suction member is positioned between the first and second electrodes; and a temperature sensor; positioning the first and second electrodes adjacent tissue; providing suction to the suction member to draw tissue into contact with the suction ablation device; providing a fluid to the first and second electrodes; providing an electric current to the first and second electrodes for ablating tissue; and measuring a temperature.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the fluid is provided from a fluid source.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the fluid is an electrically conductive fluid.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the electrically conductive fluid comprises saline.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the electric current comprises radiofrequency alternating current provided from a radiofrequency generator.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein suction is provided from a vacuum source.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for ablating tissue comprising: providing a suction ablation device having a distal portion, the distal portion comprising: a first ablating member, a second ablating member spaced from the first ablating member; and a suction member, wherein at least a portion of the suction member is positioned between the first and second ablating members; positioning at least a portion of the suction member between the first and second ablating members; positioning the first and second ablating members adjacent tissue; providing suction to the suction member to draw tissue into contact with the suction ablation device; providing a fluid to the first and second ablating members; and providing a radiofrequency energy to the first and second ablating members for ablating tissue.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for ablating tissue comprising: providing a suction ablation device having a distal portion, the distal portion comprising: a first ablating member, a second ablating member spaced from the first ablating member; and a suction member, wherein at least a portion of the suction member is positioned between the first and second ablating members; positioning at least a portion of the suction member between the first and second ablating members; positioning the first and second ablating members adjacent tissue; providing suction to the suction member to draw tissue into contact with the suction ablation device; providing a fluid to the first and second ablating members; and providing a radiofrequency energy to the first and second ablating members for ablating tissue.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 19 , wherein the radiofrequency energy is provided from a radiofrequency generator.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 19 , wherein suction is provided from a vacuum source.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 19 , wherein the fluid is provided from a fluid source.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 22 , wherein the fluid is an electrically conductive fluid.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein the electrically conductive fluid comprises saline.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 19 , wherein the first ablating member comprises an electrode.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 19 , wherein the second ablating member comprises an electrode.
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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) | 2010-01-01 | 2010-07-03 | 2011-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2014-01-01 | 2014-07-03 | 2015-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2018-01-01 | 2018-07-03 | 2019-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |