System and method for magnetic-resonance-guided electrophysiologic and ablation procedures
First Claim
1. A method for performing an electrophysiological procedure, comprising the steps of:
- placing a subject in a main magnetic field;
introducing an MR-compatible electrode catheter;
acquiring a magnetic resonance signal;
using magnetic resonance imaging to determine the location of said MR-compatible electrode catheter; and
, using said MR-compatible electrode catheter to acquire electrical signals indicative of an electrophysiological state.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for using magnetic resonance imaging to increase the accuracy of electrophysiologic procedures is disclosed. The system in its preferred embodiment provides an invasive combined electrophysiology and imaging antenna catheter which includes an RF antenna for receiving magnetic resonance signals and diagnostic electrodes for receiving electrical potentials. The combined electrophysiology and imaging antenna catheter is used in combination with a magnetic resonance imaging scanner to guide and provide visualization during electrophysiologic diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. The invention is particularly applicable to catheter ablation, e.g., ablation of atrial fibrillation. In embodiments which are useful for catheter ablation, the combined electrophysiology and imaging antenna catheter may further include an ablation tip, and such embodiment may be used as an intracardiac device to both deliver energy to selected areas of tissue and visualize the resulting ablation lesions, thereby greatly simplifying production of continuous linear lesions. The invention further includes embodiments useful for guiding electrophysiologic diagnostic and therapeutic procedures other than ablation. Imaging of ablation lesions may be further enhanced by use of MR contrast agents. The antenna utilized in the combined electrophysiology and imaging catheter for receiving MR signals is preferably of the coaxial or “loopless” type. High-resolution images from the antenna may be combined with low-resolution images from surface coils of the MR scanner to produce a composite image. The invention further provides a system for eliminating the pickup of RE energy in which intracardiac wires are detuned by filtering so that they become very inefficient antennas. An RF filtering system is provided for suppressing the MR imaging signal while not attenuating the RF ablative current. Steering means may be provided for steering the invasive catheter under MR guidance. Other ablative methods can be used such as laser, ultrasound, and low temperatures.
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Citations
49 Claims
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1. A method for performing an electrophysiological procedure, comprising the steps of:
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placing a subject in a main magnetic field;
introducing an MR-compatible electrode catheter;
acquiring a magnetic resonance signal;
using magnetic resonance imaging to determine the location of said MR-compatible electrode catheter; and
,using said MR-compatible electrode catheter to acquire electrical signals indicative of an electrophysiological state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for treating cardiac arrhythmias, comprising the steps of:
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placing a subject in a main magnetic field;
introducing an ablation catheter; and
,using magnetic resonance imaging to visualize ablation lesions created using said ablation catheter. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for performing ablation therapy, comprising:
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ablation tip means for applying ablative energy to create ablation lesions;
catheter means for inserting said diagnostic electrodes into a region to be treated;
magnetic resonance antenna means, integral with said catheter means, for receiving magnetic resonance signals; and
,means for analyzing said received magnetic resonance signals and for displaying an image of said region to be treated, whereby said means for inserting can be guided to said region to be treated. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 46)
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17. A system for magnetic resonance imaging-guided catheter ablation, comprising:
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means for generating RF ablation current;
means for generating an RF magnetic resonance imaging signal in a first frequency range;
filter means for filtering said first frequency range from said RF ablation current. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 47)
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26. A method for performing an electrophysiological procedure, comprising the steps of:
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placing a subject in a main magnetic field;
introducing an invasive imaging antenna or coil;
acquiring a first magnetic resonance image from said invasive imaging antenna or coil;
acquiring a second magnetic resonance image from a surface coil;
combining said first and second magnetic resonance images to produce a composite image; and
,using said composite image to guide said electrophysiological procedure. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A system for magnetic resonance imaging-guided catheter ablation, comprising:
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electrode means for receiving electrical signals indicative of an electrophysiological state, said electrical signals being within a first frequency range;
means for generating an RF magnetic-resonance-inducing signal;
magnetic resonance antenna means for receiving magnetic resonance signals from a region to be treated;
filter means for filtering said first frequency range from said RF magnetic-resonance-inducing signal.
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32. A combined electrophysiology and imaging catheter, comprising:
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at least one diagnostic electrode;
catheter for inserting said diagnostic electrode into a region to be studied; and
,an invasive magnetic resonance antenna, integral with said catheter, for receiving magnetic resonance signals. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 48, 49)
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Specification