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 |
20090143779 | Irrigated ablation catheter having parallel external flow and proximally tapered electrode - Embodiments of the present invention provide an irrigated catheter having irrigation fluid directed at a taper angle generally in parallel with a proximally tapered portion of the tip electrode to provide improved electrode surface cooling. In one embodiment, an irrigated ablation electrode assembly for use with an irrigated catheter device comprises a proximal member having at least one passageway for a fluid with an outlet disposed at an external surface of the proximal member; and a distal member connected with the proximal member and having an external surface, the distal member including an electrode. The external surface of the distal member has a tapered proximal portion narrowing toward the proximal member at a taper angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the distal member. The at least one passageway of the proximal member is configured to direct a fluid flow through the outlet in a distal direction at an angle substantially equal to the taper angle to produce an external flow that is generally parallel to the tapered proximal portion of the external surface of the distal member. | 06-04-2009 |
20090171187 | CATHETER ELECTRODE THAT CAN SIMULTANEOUSLY EMIT ELECTRICAL ENERGY AND FACILITATE VISUALIZATION BY MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - 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 having a proximal end and a distal end. The body may be configured to emit electrical energy in accordance with a predefined diagnostic or therapeutic function. The body may have a groove disposed over an outermost surface of the body. The electrode may also include a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tracking coil disposed in said groove. The MRI tracking coil may comprise electrically insulated wire, for example. A catheter including an electrode, as well as a method for determining the location of an electrode, are also disclosed. | 07-02-2009 |
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 |
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 |
20120150175 | Irrigated ablation electrode assembly and method for control of temperature - Embodiments of the present invention provide an irrigated catheter having irrigation fluid directed at target areas where coagulation is more likely to occur so as to minimize blood coagulation and the associated problems. In one embodiment, an irrigated ablation electrode assembly for use with an irrigated catheter device comprises a proximal member having at least one passageway for a fluid with an outlet disposed at an external surface of the proximal member; and a distal member connected with the proximal member and having an external surface. The distal member includes an electrode. The external surface of the proximal member and the external surface of the distal member meet at an intersection. The at least one passageway of the proximal member is configured to direct a fluid flow through the outlet toward a region adjacent the intersection. | 06-14-2012 |
20120226143 | CATHETER ELECTRODE THAT CAN SIMULTANEOUSLY EMIT ELECTRICAL ENERGY AND FACILITATE VISUALIZATION BY MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A catheter comprises an elongate body extending along a first longitudinal axis and having an outermost radial surface; a coil wound in a substantially cylindrical shape and extending along a second longitudinal axis that is coincident with the first longitudinal axis. At least a portion of the coil is proximate to the outermost radial surface of the elongate body. | 09-06-2012 |
20130072929 | Irrigated ablation catheter assembly having a flow member to create parallel external flow - Irrigated ablation catheter assemblies and methods of facilitating parallel irrigation fluid flow along irrigated assemblies includes a catheter, an irrigated ablation electrode assembly, a flow member, and a catheter shaft having a fluid lumen. The electrode assembly includes at least one irrigation passageway and a distal portion. The proximal portion can include a proximal member and the distal portion can include a distal member which is connected to the proximal member. The proximal end of the flow member couples to the catheter shaft and the distal end of the flow member is disposed about the proximal portion of the assembly. Fluid flow is guided at least in part by the member and traverses the outer surface of the proximal portion along the outer surface of the distal portion substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the electrode assembly. | 03-21-2013 |