| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080275442 | Systems and Methods for Electrode Contact Assessment - Systems and methods are disclosed for assessing electrode-tissue contact for tissue ablation. An exemplary electrode contact sensing system comprises an electrode | 11-06-2008 |
| 20080275465 | Design of Handle Set for Ablation Catheter with Indicators of Catheter and Tissue Parameters - An electrode coupling output system provides indication to the physician, via electrode guidance instrumentation, concerning the electrical coupling of an electrode, such as an ablative or mapping electrode, with a patient. The output can be provided to the physician via an output device incorporated into the handle set of the electrode catheter. For example, a visual, audio or mechanical output can be provided via the handle set. Additionally or alternatively, the output can be provided to the physician via a navigation system. The indication may be provided by changing the color or other display characteristics of the electrode on the navigation system display or by way of providing a waveform indicating the electrode coupling. In this manner, electrode coupling information is provided to a physician in a manner that minimizes physician distraction. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20080281319 | Assessment of Electrode Coupling For Tissue Ablation - An electrode catheter and a method for assessing electrode-tissue contact and coupling are disclosed. An exemplary electrode catheter comprises an electrode adapted to apply electrical energy. A measurement circuit is adapted to measure impedance between the electrode and ground as the electrode approaches a target tissue. A processor determines a contact and coupling condition for the target tissue based at least in part on reactance of the impedance measured by the measurement circuit. In another exemplary embodiment, the electrode catheter determines the contact and coupling condition based at least in part on a phase angle of the impedance. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20090158852 | Contact Sensing Flexible Conductive Polymer Electrode - A contact sensing catheter system includes a catheter shaft having a distal end; a flexible conductive polymer electrode located at the distal end of the shaft; and an electromechanical contact sensor positioned at least partially within the electrode. The sensor outputs an electrical signal in response to a mechanical force acting thereon. The sensor may be a piezoelectric sensor, a strain gauge, a fiber optic sensor, or another suitable electromechanical contact sensor. The electrical signal output by the sensor typically varies in response to variations in the mechanical force acting on the sensor. An output device may receive the signal output by the contact sensor and present to a user of the system an indicator of contact between the electrode and a tissue by assessing, for example, the amplitude or periodicity of the signal. | 06-25-2009 |
| 20090171188 | FLEXIBLE POLYMER ELECTRODE FOR MRI-GUIDED POSITIONING AND RADIO FREQUENCY ABLATION - An electrode for use on a medical device is disclosed. The electrode may have a main body of electrically conductive material extending along an axis and may have a proximal end and a distal end. The electrode may also include a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tracking coil disposed in the body. The MRI tracking coil may comprise electrically insulated wire. A catheter including an electrode, as well as a method for determining the location of an electrode, are also disclosed. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090171304 | COATED HYPODERMIC NEEDLE - A needle for a medical procedure includes a shaft with an inner surface, an outer surface, a proximal section, and a distal section. The distal section has a conductive tip configured to be a first electrode for voltage measurement. The needle further includes a first electrically insulative outer layer over a portion of the outer surface of the shaft. The conductive tip is adapted for insertion through tissue into, for example, a pericardial space of a patient. A system for determining the location of a needle during a medical procedure includes the needle and an anatomical mapping and localization system electrically coupled to the needle and adapted to measure voltage at the conductive tip. A system for determining tissue thickness during a medical procedure includes the needle, an anatomical mapping and localization system electrically coupled to the needle, and an electrocardiograph operatively coupled to the needle and adapted to monitor electrical activity at the conductive tip and at the second electrode. The needle may include a second electrode. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090171343 | PRESSURE-SENSITIVE FLEXIBLE POLYMER BIPOLAR ELECTRODE - The present invention is directed to bipolar ablation systems. A bipolar electrode system for ablation therapy is disclosed, including a pressure-sensitive conducting composite layer and a pair of electrodes in electrical conductive contact or communication with the pressure-sensitive conducting composite layer. Energy (e.g., ablation energy) is delivered via the pressure-sensitive conductive composition when sufficient pressure is applied to transform the pressure-sensitive conductive composite to an electrical conductor. An electrically insulative flexible layer, which may include a passageway for a fill material is also disclosed. In some embodiments, the systems can also be used for targeted delivery of compounds, such as drugs, using a bipolar electrode. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20100228247 | Assessment of electrode coupling of tissue ablation - An electrode catheter and a method for assessing electrode-tissue contact and coupling are disclosed. An exemplary electrode catheter comprises an electrode adapted to apply electrical energy. A measurement circuit is adapted to measure impedance between the electrode and ground as the electrode approaches a target tissue. A processor determines a contact and coupling condition for the target tissue based at least in part on reactance of the impedance measured by the measurement circuit. In another exemplary embodiment, the electrode catheter determines the contact and coupling condition based at least in part on a phase angle of the impedance. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100241117 | Assessment of Electrode Coupling for Tissue Ablation - An electrode catheter and a method for assessing electrode-tissue contact and coupling are disclosed. An exemplary electrode catheter comprises an electrode adapted to apply electrical energy. A measurement circuit is adapted to measure impedance between the electrode and ground as the electrode approaches a target tissue. A processor determines a contact and coupling condition for the target tissue based at least in part on reactance of the impedance measured by the measurement circuit. In another exemplary embodiment, the electrode catheter determines the contact and coupling condition based at least in part on a phase angle of the impedance. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100286690 | Assessment of electrode coupling for tissue ablation - An electrode catheter and a method for assessing electrode-tissue contact and coupling are disclosed. An exemplary electrode catheter comprises an electrode adapted to apply electrical energy. A measurement circuit is adapted to measure impedance between the electrode and ground as the electrode approaches a target tissue. A processor determines a contact and coupling condition for the target tissue based at least in part on reactance of the impedance measured by the measurement circuit. In another exemplary embodiment, the electrode catheter determines the contact and coupling condition based at least in part on a phase angle of the impedance. | 11-11-2010 |
