MRI-GUIDED CATHETERS
First Claim
1. An MRI-compatible catheter, comprising:
- an elongated flexible shaft having a distal end portion, and an opposite proximal end portion;
an electrical connector interface configured to be in electrical communication with an MRI scanner; and
at least one RF tracking coil positioned adjacent the distal end portion of the flexible shaft, wherein the at least one tracking coil includes a conductive lead extending between the at least one RF tracking coil and the electrical connector interface and configured to electrically connect the at least one tracking coil to the MRI scanner, and wherein the conductive lead includes a series of pre-formed back and forth segments along its length.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An MRI-compatible catheter that reduces localized heating due to MR scanner-induced currents includes an elongated flexible shaft having a distal end portion and an opposite proximal end portion. A handle is attached to the proximal end portion and includes an electrical connector interface configured to be in electrical communication with an MRI scanner. One or more RF tracking coils are positioned adjacent the distal end portion of the shaft. Each RF tracking coil includes a conductive lead, such as a coaxial cable, that extends between the RF tracking coil and the electrical connector interface and electrically connects the RF tracking coil to an MRI scanner. In some embodiments of the present invention, the conductive lead has a length sufficient to define an odd harmonic/multiple of a quarter wavelength of the operational frequency of the MRI Scanner, and/or includes a series of pre-formed back and forth segments along its length.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. An MRI-compatible catheter, comprising:
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an elongated flexible shaft having a distal end portion, and an opposite proximal end portion; an electrical connector interface configured to be in electrical communication with an MRI scanner; and at least one RF tracking coil positioned adjacent the distal end portion of the flexible shaft, wherein the at least one tracking coil includes a conductive lead extending between the at least one RF tracking coil and the electrical connector interface and configured to electrically connect the at least one tracking coil to the MRI scanner, and wherein the conductive lead includes a series of pre-formed back and forth segments along its length. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25)
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21. An MRI-compatible catheter, comprising:
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an elongated flexible shaft having a distal end portion, and an opposite proximal end portion; an electrical connector interface configured to be in electrical communication with an MRI scanner; an ablation tip at the flexible shaft distal end portion, wherein an RF conductor extends longitudinally within the flexible shaft to the electrical connector interface and connects the ablation tip to an RF generator, wherein the RF conductor includes a series of back and forth segments along its length; at least one RF tracking coil positioned adjacent the distal end portion of the flexible shaft, wherein the at least one tracking coil includes a conductive lead extending between the at least one RF tracking coil and the electrical connector interface and configured to electrically connect the at least one tracking coil to the MRI scanner; at least one self-resonant cable trap in communication with the at least one RF tracking coil; at least one sensing electrode at the shaft distal end portion; and at least one high impedance resistor in communication with the at least one sensing electrode. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification