US6428537B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrophysiological treatment methods and apparatus employing high voltage pulse to render tissue temporarily unresponsive
Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed Inc
•
Filing: 1998-05-22
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Granted: 2002-08-06
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Expires: 2018-05-22
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
- 👤 James G. Whayne
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:58
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1492; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00059; A61B2018/00071; A61B2018/00083; A61B2018/00089; A61B2018/00095; A61B2018/00214; A61B2018/00571; A61B2018/00577; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00839; A61B90/00; A61B90/06; A61B2090/064; A61B2090/065; A61B5/00; A61B5/24; A61B5/25; A61B5/279; A61B5/28; A61B5/283; A61B5/287
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
29 words
An electrophysiological system, comprising: an apparatus that modifies tissue; and an apparatus that generates and transmits an electrical energy pulse that temporarily renders a zone of tissue electrically unresponsive.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
29 words
An electrophysiological system, comprising: an apparatus that modifies tissue; and an apparatus that generates and transmits an electrical energy pulse that temporarily renders a zone of tissue electrically unresponsive.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the apparatus that modifies tissue comprises an ablation device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the apparatus that generates and transmits an electrical energy pulse comprises a three-dimensional support structure and a plurality of electrodes on the support structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the apparatus that modifies tissue and the apparatus that generates and transmits an electrical energy pulse together comprise at least one electrode, a source of ablation energy connected to the at least one electrode, and a source of energy that renders tissue temporarily unresponsive.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the electrical energy pulse renders the zone of tissue electrically unresponsive for at least one second.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the apparatus that generates and transmits an electrical energy pulse comprises an electrode and a source of energy that renders tissue temporarily unresponsive.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the source of energy that renders tissue temporarily unresponsive comprises a source of energy that renders tissue temporarily unresponsive for at least one second.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the apparatus that generates and transmits an electrical energy pulse further comprises a support body and the electrode is supported on the support body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the support body comprises a catheter body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the support body comprises a relatively short shaft.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
An electrophysiological system, comprising: an apparatus that generates and transmits an electrical energy pulse that temporarily renders a zone of tissue having a first predetermined depth electrically unresponsive for at least one second; and an apparatus adapted to sense an electrophysiological effect due to the transmitted pulse.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
An electrophysiological system, comprising: an apparatus that generates and transmits an electrical energy pulse that temporarily renders a zone of tissue having a first predetermined depth electrically unresponsive for at least one second; and an apparatus adapted to sense an electrophysiological effect due to the transmitted pulse.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
53 words
A system as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the apparatus that generates and transmits an electrical energy pulse is adapted to transmit a second electrical energy pulse that temporarily renders a zone of tissue having a second predetermined depth electrically unresponsive, the second predetermined depth being greater than the first predetermined depth.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the apparatus that generates and transmits an electrical energy pulse comprises an electrode and a source of energy that renders tissue temporarily unresponsive for at least one second.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the apparatus that generates and transmits an electrical energy pulse further comprises a support body and the electrode is supported on the support body.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the support body comprises a catheter body.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the support body comprises a relatively short shaft.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
58 words
A system for modifying tissue, comprising: a support body; at least one electrode on the support body; and an energy generator that supplies pulses of energy to the at least one electrode with a voltage high enough to kill tissue by dielectric breakdown and for a period sufficient to kill the tissue and insufficient to vaporize the tissue.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
58 words
A system for modifying tissue, comprising: a support body; at least one electrode on the support body; and an energy generator that supplies pulses of energy to the at least one electrode with a voltage high enough to kill tissue by dielectric breakdown and for a period sufficient to kill the tissue and insufficient to vaporize the tissue.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the voltage of the pulses is about 4000 volts.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system as claimed in claim 17 , wherein period is between about 0.1 milliseconds and about 1000 milliseconds.
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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) | 2005-08-05 | 2006-02-04 | 2006-08-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-08-05 | 2010-02-04 | 2010-08-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-08-05 | 2014-02-04 | 2014-08-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |