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Inducing desirable temperature effects on body tissue

  • US 10,213,252 B2
  • Filed: 02/24/2012
  • Issued: 02/26/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2006
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A system for remodeling tissue disposed about a blood vessel, the system comprising:

  • an endovascular catheter having an energy delivery portion adapted to be coupled with a target tissue, wherein the catheter includes a balloon, wherein the energy delivery portion comprises a plurality of electrodes disposed about the balloon of the catheter so as to define a plurality of remodeling zones in the target tissue when the balloon is in contact with a blood vessel wall disposed adjacent to the target tissue; and

    an energy source coupleable with the catheter, the energy source being configured to deliver a controlled quantity of energy to each of the plurality of electrodes in response to an input such that the controlled quantity of energy heats at least some of the plurality of remodeling zones of the target tissue so as to remodel the target tissue and inhibit thermal damage of collateral healthy tissues;

    wherein the plurality of remodeling zones includes a first remodeling zone and a second remodeling zone disposed adjacent to the first remodeling zone and wherein the plurality of electrodes comprise a plurality of bipolar electrode pairs spaced around an axis of the balloon so that the plurality of remodeling zones defined by the bipolar electrode pairs are laterally separated from each other so as to form gaps between the first remodeling zone and the second remodeling zone;

    wherein the energy source includes a processor, wherein the processor is designed to determine a frequency or range of frequencies at which a first impedance of the target tissue is equal to or greater than a second impedance of the collateral healthy tissue; and

    wherein the processor is configured to deliver the controlled quantity of energy delivered to the plurality of electrodes at the frequency or range of frequencies.

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