APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR FLUID COOLED ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY PROCEDURES
First Claim
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1. An electrophysiology device, comprising:
- an elongate body defining a distal region;
an electrode associated with the distal region of the elongate body and defining an inner surface;
a relatively thin fluid heating space associated with the inner surface of the electrode;
an inlet and an outlet associated with the relatively thin fluid heating space; and
first and second temperature sensors respectively in thermal communication with the inlet and the outlet.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus associated with irrigated tissue ablation procedures.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An electrophysiology device, comprising:
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an elongate body defining a distal region; an electrode associated with the distal region of the elongate body and defining an inner surface; a relatively thin fluid heating space associated with the inner surface of the electrode; an inlet and an outlet associated with the relatively thin fluid heating space; and first and second temperature sensors respectively in thermal communication with the inlet and the outlet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An electrophysiology device configured to heat tissue, comprising:
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an elongate body defining a distal region; an irrigated electrode assembly, through which irrigation fluid passes, associated with the distal region of the elongate body and including an electrically and thermally conductive tissue contact surface that receives heat from tissue as it supplies electrical energy to tissue; means for transferring substantially all of the heat received from the tissue by the tissue contact surface to the irrigation fluid that passes through the electrode assembly; a first temperature sensor that senses the temperature of the irrigation fluid as it enters the electrode assembly; and a second temperature sensor that senses the temperature of the irrigation fluid as it exits the electrode assembly. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A tissue coagulation method, comprising the steps of:
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transferring power to tissue with an electrode; receiving heat from the tissue with the electrode; cooling the electrode with irrigation fluid; transferring substantially all of the heat to the irrigation fluid cooling the electrode; and measuring the change in temperature of the irrigation fluid as it cools the electrode. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification