Apparatus and method for ablating tissue
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of ablating cardiac tissue, comprising the steps of:
- providing an ablating device having an ultrasonic transducer, the device emitting focused ultrasound which is focused in at least one dimension;
positioning the ablating device in contact with cardiac tissue; and
activating the ultrasonic transducer to direct the focused ultrasound into the cardiac tissue.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A control system alters one or more characteristics of an ablating element to ablate tissue. In one aspect, the control system delivers energy nearer to the surface of the tissue by changing the frequency or power. In another aspect, the ablating element delivers focused ultrasound which is focused in at least one dimension. The ablating device may also have a number of ablating elements with different characteristics such as focal length.
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Citations
73 Claims
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1. A method of ablating cardiac tissue, comprising the steps of:
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providing an ablating device having an ultrasonic transducer, the device emitting focused ultrasound which is focused in at least one dimension;
positioning the ablating device in contact with cardiac tissue; and
activating the ultrasonic transducer to direct the focused ultrasound into the cardiac tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26-62. -62. (canceled)
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63. A method of ablating cardiac tissue, comprising the steps of:
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providing an ablating device having an ultrasonic transducer;
positioning the ablating device in contact with a tissue structure to be ablated; and
activating the ultrasonic transducer for a first period of time at a first power to produce ultrasonic energy which is directed at the tissue structure, the activating step also being carried out with the ultrasonic transducer being activated for a second period of time at a second power which is different than the first power. - View Dependent Claims (64, 65, 66)
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67. A device for ablating tissue, comprising:
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a body having a longitudinal axis and a contact surface configured to be positioned adjacent tissue to be ablated;
a first transducer coupled to the body;
a second transducer coupled to the body and spaced apart from the first transducer by a space; and
wherein at least one of the first and second transducers directs ultrasound energy to tissue lying beneath the space between the first and second transducers. - View Dependent Claims (68, 69, 70)
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71. A device for ablating cardiac tissue, comprising:
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a body having a longitudinal axis and a contact surface configured to be positioned adjacent tissue to be ablated;
a first transducer coupled to the body;
a second transducer coupled to the body and spaced apart from the first transducer by a space, wherein the first and second transducers each emit ultrasound energy to the tissue to be ablated; and
means for changing the direction of the ultrasound energy from the first transducer toward tissue beneath the gap between the first and second transducers. - View Dependent Claims (72)
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73-114. -114. (canceled)
Specification