Ablation catheter with transducer for providing one or more of pressure, temperature and fluid flow data for use in controlling ablation therapy
First Claim
1. A catheter for use during treatment of biological tissue within a biological organ having fluid flowing therethrough, said catheter comprising:
- a shaft having a distal segment adapted to be positioned in the biological organ, the distal segment having a tissue-contacting area intended to contact the biological tissue; and
at least one pressure sensor associated with the distal segment and positioned within the tissue-contacting area, the pressure sensor adapted to provide pressure data indicative of the pressure exerted on the distal segment at or near the pressure sensor.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A distal segment of a catheter shaft is adapted to be positioned against tissue in a biological organ. The distal segment has a tissue-contacting area intended to contact the tissue. One or more pressure sensors positioned within the tissue-contacting area provide pressure data indicative of the pressure exerted on the distal segment. The distal segment carries one or more electrodes and the pressure sensors are located either on an electrode or on the catheter shaft near an electrode. The pressure sensors provide pressure data to a processor that analyzes the data to determine if the tissue-contacting area of the distal segment is contacting the tissue. The pressure sensors may also provide temperature data indicative of the temperature at the sensor. A flow sensor, located opposite the pressure sensor on the shaft, provides data related to the flow rate of fluid through the organ.
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Citations
44 Claims
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1. A catheter for use during treatment of biological tissue within a biological organ having fluid flowing therethrough, said catheter comprising:
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a shaft having a distal segment adapted to be positioned in the biological organ, the distal segment having a tissue-contacting area intended to contact the biological tissue; and
at least one pressure sensor associated with the distal segment and positioned within the tissue-contacting area, the pressure sensor adapted to provide pressure data indicative of the pressure exerted on the distal segment at or near the pressure sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system for applying energy to biological tissue within a biological organ having fluid flowing therethrough, said system comprising:
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a generator for providing energy;
a catheter carrying an electrode system at its distal segment, the distal segment having a tissue-contacting area adapted to be positioned in the biological organ and intended to contact the biological tissue, and the electrode system adapted to receive energy from the generator;
at least one pressure sensor associated with the distal segment, located within the tissue-contacting area and adapted to provide pressure data indicative of the pressure exerted on the distal segment at or near the pressure sensor; and
a processor responsive to the pressure data and configured to analyze the pressure data and provide an indication of contact between the distal segment at or near the pressure sensor and the tissue. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A system for assessing the adequacy of contact between an electrode and biological tissue within a biological organ having biological fluid therein, said system comprising:
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a pressure sensor configured to provide a reference pressure indicative of the pressure at the electrode when the electrode is positioned in the biological fluid and configured to provide an assessment pressure indicative of the pressure at the electrode when the electrode is positioned proximal the biological tissue; and
a processor responsive to the reference and assessment pressure signals and configured to analyze the pressure signals and indicate the state of electrode/tissue contact. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 41)
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34. A method of assessing the adequacy of contact between an electrode and biological tissue within a biological organ having biological fluid therein, said method comprising:
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positioning the electrode in the biological fluid;
obtaining a reference pressure value indicative of the pressure exerted on a region on or near the electrode;
moving the electrode to a position proximal the biological tissue;
obtaining an assessment pressure value by measuring the pressure exerted on the region on or near the electrode;
analyzing the assessment pressure and the reference pressure; and
indicating the state of electrode/tissue contact.
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38. A system for assessing the adequacy of contact between an electrode and biological tissue within a biological organ having biological fluid therein, said system comprising:
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an pressure sensor configured to provide assessment pressure values indicative of the pressure at the electrode; and
a processor adapted to;
sample a sequence of pressure values for a given time period; and
monitor the sequence of pressure values for variations indicative of electrode/tissue contact.
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42. A method of assessing the adequacy of contact between an electrode and biological tissue within a moving biological organ having biological fluid therein, said method comprising:
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positioning the electrode proximal the biological tissue;
obtaining a sequence of pressure values by periodically measuring the pressure at the electrode during the time period; and
monitoring the sequence of pressure values for variations indicative of electrode/tissue contact. - View Dependent Claims (43)
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44. A method of assessing the adequacy of contact between a plurality of electrodes and biological tissue within a biological organ having biological fluid therein, said method comprising:
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obtaining a reference pressure value for each electrode by;
positioning the plurality of electrodes in the biological fluid;
measuring the pressure exerted at each electrode by the biological fluid;
moving the plurality of electrodes to a position proximal the biological tissue; and
for each electrode;
obtaining an assessment pressure value by measuring the pressure exerted at each electrode;
analyzing the assessment impedance and the reference impedance; and
indicating the state of electrode/tissue contact.
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Specification