Systems and methods for guiding movable electrode elements within multiple-electrode structure

• US 5,876,336 A
• Filed: 10/21/1997
• Issued: 03/02/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: EP Technology (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: EP Technology (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Panescu, Dorin, Swanson, David K., Whayne, James G.
• Primary Examiner(s): COHEN, LEE S
• Application Number:
  US08/954,276
• Time in Patent Office: 497 Days
• Field of Search: 600/374, 600/509, 128/899, 607/122, 607/126, 606/41, 606/45, 606/49, 606/34
• US Class Current: 600/374
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1815 using microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 Steerable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0016 Energy applicators arranged in a two- or three dimensional array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00214 Expandable means emitting energy, e.g. by elements carried thereon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00351 Heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0075 Phase
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00755 Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00839 Bioelectrical parameters, e.g. ECG, EEG
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00875 Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3782 transmitter or receiver in catheter or minimal invasive instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/043 in a linear array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6858 with a distal basket, e.g. expandable basket
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7217 of noise originating from a therapeutic or surgical apparatus, e.g. from a pacemaker
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/06 for high-frequency therapy

Abstract

Systems and related methods guide a movable electrode within an array of multiple electrodes located within the body. The systems and methods employ the movable electrode or at least one of the multiple electrodes on the array to generate and then sense electrical or sonic energy in a predetermined fashion to generates an output that locates the movable electrode within the array.

Claims

1. A system for guiding a movable electrode relative to an array of multiple electrodes located within a human or other animal body, the system comprising

an array of multiple electrodes,

a movable electrode movable relative to the array, an emitting electrode which comprises either the movable electrode or at least one electrode in the array,

an electrical energy generating element coupled to the emitting electrode, the electrical energy generating element conditioning the emitting electrode to emit electrical energy,

a sensing electrode which comprises either the movable electrode or at least one electrode in the array,

a sensing element coupled to the sensing electrode, the sensing element conditioning the sensing electrode to sense electrical energy emitted by the emitting electrode, and

a processing element coupled to the sensing element to analyze electrical energy sensed by the sensing electrode and generate, based upon the analysis, an output that locates the movable electrode relative to the array.

3. A system according to claim 1 or 2

wherein the electrical energy generating element conditions the emitting electrode to generate an electric field,

wherein the sensing element senses with the sensing electrode electric potentials in the electric field, and

wherein the processing element generates the output by analyzing spatial variations in the electrical potentials in the electric field.

4. A system according to claim 3

wherein the sensing element senses with the sensing electrode phases of the electrical potentials in the electric field, and

wherein the processing element generates the output by analyzing spacial variations of the phases sensed in the electric field relative to the phase of the electrical energy generated by the electrical energy generating element.

5. A system according to claim 3

wherein the sensing element senses with the sensing electrode amplitudes of the electrical potentials in the electric field, and

wherein the processing element generates the output by analyzing spatial variation in the amplitudes in the electric field.

6. A system according to claim 5

wherein the sensing element senses with the sensing electrode phases of the electrical potentials in the electric field, and

wherein the processing element generates the output by analyzing spacial variations of the phases sensed in the electric field relative to the phase of the electrical energy generated by the electrical energy generating element.

7. A system according to claim 1 or 2

wherein the electrical energy generating element emits pulses of electrical energy through the emitting electrode.

8. A system according to claim 1 or 2

wherein the electrical energy generating element emits electrical energy in a prescribed wave form through the emitting electrode.

9. A system according to claim 1 or 2

and further including a display element coupled to the processing element to present the output in a real time format that continuously locates the moveable electrode relative to the array.

2. A system for ablating tissue within a heart comprising

an array of multiple electrodes for contacting tissue within the heart to sense electrical activity in heart tissue and adapted for attachment to an external processing system for analyzing the sensed electrical activity to locate foci appropriate for ablation,

an electrode movable relative to the array and adapted for attachment to an external source of ablating energy to emit the ablating energy into tissue,

an electrical energy generating element coupled to an emitting electrode, which comprises either the movable electrode or at least one electrode in the array, the electrical energy generating element conditioning the emitting electrode to emit electrical energy,

a sensing element coupled to a sensing electrode, which comprises the movable electrode or at least one electrode in the array, the sensing element conditioning the sensing electrode to sense electrical energy emitted by the emitting electrode, and

a processing element coupled to the sensing element to analyze electrical energy sensed by the sensing electrode and generate, based upon the analysis, an output that locates the movable electrode relative to the array.

10. A method for ablating tissue within a heart comprising the steps of

locating an array of multiple electrodes in contact with tissue within the heart to sense electrical activity in heart tissue to locate foci appropriate for ablation,

locating movable ablation electrode relative to the array,

conditioning an emitting electrode comprising either the ablation electrode or at least one of the electrodes an the array to emit electrical energy,

sensing the emitted electrical energy with a sensing electrode comprising either the ablation electrode or at least one of the electrodes in the array, and

processing the sensed electrical energy to generate an output locating the ablation electrode relative to the array.

11. A method for ablating tissue within a heart comprising the steps of

(a) locating an array of multiple electrodes in contact with tissue within the heart to sense electrical activity in heart tissue to locate foci appropriate for ablation,

(b) locating a movable ablation electrode relative to the array,

(c) conditioning an emitting electrode comprising either the ablation electrode or at least one of the electrodes in the array to emit electrical energy,

(d) sensing the emitted electrical energy with a sensing electrode comprising either the ablation electrode or at least one of the electrodes in the array, and

(e) processing the sensed electrical energy to generate an output locating the ablation electrode relative to the array, and

(f) moving the ablation electrode relative to the array while repeating steps (c), (d), and (e).

12. A system for guiding a movable catheter body within an array of multiple electrode located within a human or other animal body, the system comprising

an array of multiple electrodes,

a movable catheter body movable relative to the array, the movable catheter body carrying at least one electrode,

an emitting electrode which comprises either an electrode on the movable catheter body or at least one electrode in the array,

an electrical energy generating element coupled to the emitting electrode, the electrical energy generating element conditioning the emitting electrode to emit electrical energy,

a sensing electrode which comprises either an electrode on the movable catheter body or at least one electrode in the array,

a sensing element coupled to the sensing electrode, the sensing element conditioning the sensing electrode to sense electrical energy emitted by the emitting electrode, and

a processing element coupled to the sensing element to analyze electrical energy sensed by the sensing electrode and generate, based upon the analysis, an output that locates the movable catheter body relative to the array.

14. A system according to claim 12 or 13

wherein the electrical energy generating element conditions the emitting electrode to generate an electric field,

wherein the sensing element senses with the sensing electrode electric potentials in the electric field, and

wherein the processing element generates the output by analyzing spatial variations in the electrical potentials in the electric field.

15. A system according to claim 14

wherein the sensing element senses with the sensing electrode phases of the electrical potentials in the electric field, and

wherein the processing element generates the output by analyzing spacial variations of the phases sensed in the electric field relative to the phase of the electrical energy generated by the electrical energy generating element.

16. A system according to claim 14

wherein the sensing element senses with the sensing electrode amplitudes of the electrical potentials in the electric field, and

wherein the processing element generates the output by analyzing spacial variations in the amplitudes in the electric field.

17. A system according to claim 16

wherein the sensing element senses with the sensing electrode phases of the electrical potentials in the electric field, and

wherein the processing element generates the output by analyzing spacial variations of the phases sensed in the electric field relative to the phase of the electrical energy generated by the electrical energy generating element.

18. A system according to claim 12 or 13

wherein the electrical energy generating element emits pulses of electrical energy through the emitting electrode.

19. A system according to claim 12 or 13

where in the electrical energy generating element emits electrical energy in a prescribed wave form through the emitting electrode.

20. A system according to claim 12 or 13

and further including a display element coupled to the processing element to present the output in a real time format that continuously locates the moveable catheter body relative to the array.

13. A system for ablating tissue within a heart comprising

an array of multiple electrodes for contacting tissue within the heart to sense electrical activity in heart tissue and adapted for attachment to an external processing system for analyzing the sensed electrical activity to locate foci appropriate for ablation,

a movable catheter body movable relative to the array, the movable catheter body carrying at least one electrode adapted for attachment to an external source of ablating energy to emit the ablating energy into tissue,

an electrical energy generating element coupled to an emitting electrode, which comprises either an electrode on the movable catheter body or at least one electrode in the array, the electrical energy generating element conditioning the emitting electrode to emit electrical energy,

a sensing element coupled to a sensing electrode, which comprises an electrode on the movable catheter body or at least one electrode in the array, the sensing element conditioning the sensing electrode to sense electrical energy emitted by the emitting electrode, and

a processing element coupled to the sensing element to analyze electrical energy sensed by the sensing electrode and generate, based upon the analysis, an output that locates the movable catheter body relative to the array.

21. A method for ablating tissue within a heart comprising the steps of

locating an array of multiple electrodes in contact with tissue within the heart to sense electrical activity in heart tissue to locate foci appropriate for ablation,

locating a movable catheter body carrying at least one ablation electrode relative to the array,

conditioning an emitting electrode comprising either an ablation electrode on the movable catheter body or at least one of the electrodes in the array to emit electrical energy,

sensing the emitted electrical energy with a sensing electrode comprising either an ablation electrode on the movable catheter body or at least one of the electrodes in the array, and

processing the sensed electrical energy to generate an output locating the movable catheter body relative to the array.

22. A method for ablating tissue within a heart comprising the steps of

(a) locating an array of multiple electrodes in contact with tissue within the heart to sense electrical activity in heart tissue to locate foci appropriate for ablation,

(b) locating a movable catheter body carrying at least one ablation electrode relative to the array,

(c) conditioning an emitting electrode comprising either an ablation electrode on the movable catheter body or at least one of the electrodes in the array to emit electrical energy,

(d) sensing the emitted electrical energy with a sensing electrode comprising either an ablation electrode on the movable catheter body or at least one of the electrodes in the array, and

(e) processing the sensed electrical energy to generate an output locating the movable catheter body relative to the array, and

(f) moving the movable catheter body relative to the array while repeating steps (c), (d), and (e).