Methods for procedures related to the electrophysiology of the heart
First Claim
1. A method for evaluating the electrophysiological activity within the interior of a heart comprising:
- introducing an apparatus into the interior of the heart, said apparatus having elements of different electromotive potential conductively connected at a junction;
contacting heart tissue within the interior of the heart at a selected location with said junction;
passing an electrical current through said elements to reduce the temperature of said junction in accordance with the Peltier effect and thereby cool the contacted heart tissue without damaging the heart tissue;
monitoring for the effect of the cooling on the heart;
returning the heart tissue at said selected location to a normal temperature.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for use in procedures related to the electrophysiology of the heart, such as identifying or evaluating the electrical activity of the heart, diagnosing and/or treating conditions associated with the electrophysiology of the heart. An apparatus having thermocouple elements of different electromotive potential conductively connected at a junction is introduced into the interior of the heart and a section of heart tissue is contacted with the junction. An electrical current is passed through the thermocouple elements to reduce the temperature of the junction in accordance with the Peltier effect and thereby cool the contacted heart tissue. The effect of the cooling may be monitored and, if desired, the section of heart tissue may be treated.
289 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method for evaluating the electrophysiological activity within the interior of a heart comprising:
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introducing an apparatus into the interior of the heart, said apparatus having elements of different electromotive potential conductively connected at a junction; contacting heart tissue within the interior of the heart at a selected location with said junction; passing an electrical current through said elements to reduce the temperature of said junction in accordance with the Peltier effect and thereby cool the contacted heart tissue without damaging the heart tissue; monitoring for the effect of the cooling on the heart; returning the heart tissue at said selected location to a normal temperature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for treating a source of arrhythmia in a heart comprising:
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introducing an apparatus into the interior of the heart said apparatus having elements of different electromotive potential, said elements being conductively connected at a junction; contacting heart tissue within the interior of the heart at a selected location with the junction; passing an electrical current through said elements to reduce the temperature of the junction in accordance with the Peltier effect and thereby cool the contacted heart tissue without damaging the heart tissue; monitoring for the effect of the cooling on the heart to determine whether the source of the arrhythmia has been located; treating the heart tissue to substantially permanently interrupt said source of arrhythmia. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification