Robotic Fenestration Device Having Impedance Measurement
First Claim
1. An intravascular system that facilitates fenestration of an endoluminal graft in situ, the system comprising:
- a tubular shaft defining at least one lumen;
at least one lead extending through the at least one lumen of the tubular shaft;
an electrode attached to a distal end of the at least one lead, wherein the electrode is capable of creating a fenestration in a wall of the endoluminal graft;
a power source electrically connected via the at least one lead to the electrode, wherein the power source generates an AC current; and
an impedance analyzer electrically connected to the electrode and to a common reference electrode, wherein the impedance analyzer measures the electrical impedance between the electrode and the common reference electrode at positions relative to a reference location to identify an optimal location for creating a fenestration in a wall of the endoluminal graft.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for real-time continuous impedance monitoring along the surface of a graft implanted within a main vessel to aid in optimally positioning an electrode at a branch vessel ostium. Due to the conductivity differences among various kinds of solid tissue and blood, a fenestration catheter system uses impedance monitoring as a tool to detect the location of branch ostia through graft cloth. Such information enables the fenestration electrode to be properly positioned for creation of a fenestration in the graft cloth in situ. In addition, the fenestration catheter system may utilize impedance information to avoid contact between the electrode and metal stent structures used to anchor the graft during an in situ fenestration procedure. The fenestration catheter system includes a catheter shaft, an electrode, one or more reference or indifferent electrodes, an impedance analyzer, a power source and an electrode position reference to record impedance measurements in relation to position.
80 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An intravascular system that facilitates fenestration of an endoluminal graft in situ, the system comprising:
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a tubular shaft defining at least one lumen; at least one lead extending through the at least one lumen of the tubular shaft; an electrode attached to a distal end of the at least one lead, wherein the electrode is capable of creating a fenestration in a wall of the endoluminal graft; a power source electrically connected via the at least one lead to the electrode, wherein the power source generates an AC current; and an impedance analyzer electrically connected to the electrode and to a common reference electrode, wherein the impedance analyzer measures the electrical impedance between the electrode and the common reference electrode at positions relative to a reference location to identify an optimal location for creating a fenestration in a wall of the endoluminal graft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An intravascular system that facilitates fenestration of an endoluminal graft in situ, the system comprising:
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a tubular shaft defining at least one lumen; a radiofrequency (RF) electrode slidably disposed within the tubular shaft, wherein the RF electrode is capable of creating a fenestration in a wall of the endoluminal graft; a power source electrically connected to the RF electrode for generating an AC current; an impedance analyzer electrically connected to the RF electrode and to a common reference electrode, wherein the impedance analyzer measures the electrical impedance between the RF electrode and the common reference skin-patch electrode to provide an optimal location for creating a fenestration in a wall of the endoluminal graft; a robotic steering interface for deflecting and rotating the system within the vasculature; and a display for producing a virtual 3D real time representation of the position and orientation of the system within the vasculature and for producing a virtual impedance map of impedance measurements, wherein the display overlays the virtual impedance map onto the virtual 3D real time representation of the position and orientation of the system within the vasculature. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A method of forming a fenestration in a wall of an endoluminal graft in situ, the method comprising the steps of:
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advancing a fenestration catheter system within an endoluminal graft in a first passageway in a human body, wherein the graft obscures an ostium of a second passageway that branches from the first passageway, wherein the fenestration catheter system includes a tubular shaft defining at least one lumen, a radiofrequency (RF) electrode disposed within the tubular shaft, a power source for generating an AC current electrically connected to the RF electrode, and an impedance analyzer electrically connected to the RF electrode and to a common reference electrode, continuously measuring the electrical impedance between the RF electrode and the common reference electrode via the impedance analyzer as the location of the electrode is changed on the surface of the graft material to determine an optimal location for creating a fenestration in a wall of the endoluminal graft; and creating a fenestration in the wall of the endoluminal graft at the optimal location via the RF electrode, wherein the fenestration allows for blood flow through the ostium of the second passageway. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification