Electrophysiology Therapy Catheter

• US 20070244479A1
• Filed: 04/11/2007
• Published: 10/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/1992
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: St. Jude Medical (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: St. Jude Medical (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hauck, John, Budd, Jeffrey, Beatty, Graydon
• Application Number:
  US11/734,191
• Publication Number:
  US 20070244479A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/053 Measuring electrical impedance or conductance of a portion of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0538 invasively, e.g. using a catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1076 for measuring dimensions inside body cavities, e.g. using catheters A61B3/1005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/287 Holders for multiple electrodes, e.g. electrode catheters for electrophysiological study [EPS]

Abstract

A mapping catheter is positioned in a heart chamber, and active electrode sites are activated to impose an electric field within the chamber. The blood volume and wall motion modulates the electric field, which is detected by passive electrode sites on the preferred catheter. Electrophysiology measurements, as well as geometry measurements, are taken from the passive electrodes and used to display a map of intrinsic heart activity.

Claims

1. A therapy catheter comprising:

a) a lead body having a distal end and having a proximal end;

b) a locator electrode proximate said distal end;

c) a set of therapy electrodes located hear said distal end.

2. A therapy catheter comprising:

a) a lead body having a distal end and having a proximal end;

b) a locator electrode proximate said distal end;

c) a drug delivery lumen located proximate said distal end.

3. A therapy catheter comprising:

a) a lead body having a distal end and having a proximal end;

b) a locator electrode proximate said distal end;

c) a fiber optic cable coupled to said distal end for directing laser energy to an ablation site.