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US6421556B2
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Systems and methods for conducting electrophysiological testing using high-voltage energy pulses to stun tissue
Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed Inc
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Filing: 2001-02-28
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Granted: 2002-07-16
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Expires: 2021-02-28
Abstract
Abstract Systems and methods for diagnosing and treating tissue transmit an electrical energy pulse that temporarily stuns a zone of tissue, temporarily rendering it electrically unresponsive. The systems and methods sense an electrophysiological effect due to the transmitted pulse. The systems and methods alter an electrophysiological property of tissue in or near the zone based, at least in part, upon the sensed electrophysiological effect. The alteration of the electrophysiological property can be accomplished, for example, by tissue ablation or by the administration of medication. In a preferred implementation, radio frequency energy is used to both temporarily stun tissue and to ablate tissue through a common electrode.
Inventors
- 👤 David K. Swanson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 09:23
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/68; A61B5/6846; A61B5/6847; A61B5/6852; A61B5/6856; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1492; A61B5/24; A61B5/25; A61B5/279; A61B5/28; A61B5/283; A61B5/287; A61B5/6853; A61B5/6855; A61B5/6858; A61B5/6859; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/3605; A61N1/36128; A61N1/36146; A61N1/36182; A61N1/36185; A61N1/362; A61N1/3621; A61N1/3622; A61N1/365; A61N1/368; A61N1/3686; A61N1/37; A61N1/3702; A61B18/1485; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022; A61B2017/00084; A61B2017/00101; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00292; A61B2017/003; A61B2018/00005; A61B2018/00041; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00059; A61B2018/00065; A61B2018/00107; A61B2018/00136; A61B2018/00148; A61B2018/0016; A61B2018/00214; A61B2018/0022; A61B2018/00267; A61B2018/00571; A61B2018/00577; A61B18/1206; A61B2018/1286; A61B2018/1465; A61B2018/1472; A61B90/00; A61B90/06; A61B2090/064; A61B2090/065; A61B2562/00; A61B2562/02; A61B2562/0209; A61B2562/0215; A61B2562/04; A61B2562/043; A61B2562/046
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
37 words
An electrophysiological method, comprising the steps of: sensing a cardiac event; and transmitting an electrical energy to a zone of cardiac tissue that temporarily renders the zone of cardiac tissue electrically unresponsive for at least one second.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
37 words
An electrophysiological method, comprising the steps of: sensing a cardiac event; and transmitting an electrical energy to a zone of cardiac tissue that temporarily renders the zone of cardiac tissue electrically unresponsive for at least one second.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the step of sensing a cardiac event comprises sensing an arrhythmia.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the step of sensing a cardiac event comprises sensing at least one of a ventricular tachycardia, atrial tachycardia and atrial fibrillation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the step of sensing a cardiac event comprises placing an electrode in contact with cardiac tissue.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the step of sensing a cardiac event comprises sensing a cardiac event with a catheter-mounted electrode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising the step of: identifying a target zone of cardiac tissue that, if rendered electrically unresponsive, would interrrupt the cardiac event; and wherein the step of transmitting electrical energy comprises transmitting electrical energy to the target zone of cardiac tissue that temporarily renders the target zone of cardiac tissue electrically unresponsive for at least one second.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the step of transmitting electrical energy comprises transmitting an electrical energy pulse to a zone of cardiac tissue that temporarily renders the zone of cardiac tissue electrically unresponsive for at least one second.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the step of transmitting electrical energy comprises transmitting electrical energy pulses to a zone of cardiac tissue that temporarily render the zone of cardiac tissue electrically unresponsive for at at least one second.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the pulses comprise DC pulses.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the pulses comprise AC pulses.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the pulses comprise RF pulses.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the step of transmitting electrical energy comprises transmitting energy with a catheter-mounted electrode to a zone of cardiac tissue that temporarily renders the zone of cardiac tissue electrically unresponsive for at least one second.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the zone of cardiac tissue comprises a zone of cardiac tissue that, when rendered electrically unresponsive, interrupts the cardiac event.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the zone of cardiac tissue comprises a slow conduction zone of cardiac tissue.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising the step of: sensing whether the cardiac event has been interrupted while the zone of cardiac tissue is temporarily electrically unresponsive.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising the step of: altering an electrophysiological property of the tissue in or near the zone of cardiac tissue.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
40 words
A method of suppressing a cardiac event, comprising the steps of: sensing the cardiac event; and transmitting electrical energy to target cardiac tissue that temporarily creates an electrical conduction block in the target cardiac tissue for at least one second.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
40 words
A method of suppressing a cardiac event, comprising the steps of: sensing the cardiac event; and transmitting electrical energy to target cardiac tissue that temporarily creates an electrical conduction block in the target cardiac tissue for at least one second.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the step of sensing a cardiac event comprises sensing an arrhythmia.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the step of sensing a cardiac event comprises sensing at least one of a ventricular tachycardia, atrial tachycardia and atrial fibrillation.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the step of sensing a cardiac event comprises placing an electrode in contact with cardiac tissue.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the step of sensing a cardiac event comprises sensing a cardiac event with a catheter-mounted electrode.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the step of transmitting electrical energy comprises transmitting an electrical energy pulse to target cardiac tissue that temporarily creates an electrical conduction block in the target cardiac tissue for at least one second.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the step of transmitting electrical energy comprises tramsmitting electrical energy pulses to target cardiac tissue that that temporarily create an electrical conduction block in the target cardiac tissue for at least one second.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 23 , wherein the pulses comprise DC pulses.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 23 , wherein the energy pulse comprise AC pulses.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 23 , wherein the pulses comprise RF pulses.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the step of transmitting electrical energy comprises transmitting electrical energy with a catheter-mounted electrode to target cardiac tissue that temporarily creates an electrical conduction block in the target cardiac tissue for at least one second.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the target cardiac tissue comprises a slow conduction zone of cardiac tissue.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 17 , further comprising the step of: sensing whether the cardiac event has been interrupted while the temporary electrical conduction block exists.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 17 , further comprising the step of: altering an electrophysiological property of the tissue in or near the target cardiac tissue.
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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) | 2005-07-15 | 2006-01-14 | 2006-07-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-07-15 | 2010-01-14 | 2010-07-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-07-15 | 2014-01-14 | 2014-07-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |