Systems and methods for electrosurgical removal of calcified deposits
First Claim
1. A method for removing material from cardiac tissue comprising:
- positioning an electrode terminal in contact with or in close proximity to material attached to cardiac tissue; and
applying high frequency voltage to the electrode terminal, the high frequency voltage being sufficient to remove at least a portion of the material from the cardiac tissue.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides systems and methods for selectively applying electrical energy to a target location within a patient'"'"'s heart to remove calcified deposits and fibroid material from valve leaflets. The method of the present invention comprises positioning an electrosurgical probe or catheter adjacent the target site so that one or more electrode terminal(s) are brought into at least partial contact or close proximity with the target heart valve. High frequency voltage is then applied between the electrode terminal(s) and one or more return electrode(s) to volumetrically remove or ablate at least a portion of the calcified material while minimizing damage to the heart valve and substantially preserving the elastic fiber layer of the valve leaflets.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for removing material from cardiac tissue comprising:
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positioning an electrode terminal in contact with or in close proximity to material attached to cardiac tissue; and applying high frequency voltage to the electrode terminal, the high frequency voltage being sufficient to remove at least a portion of the material from the cardiac tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for removing calcified deposits from a heart valve comprising applying sufficient high frequency electrical energy to calcified deposits on a heart valve to remove said calcified deposits without removing adjacent portions of the heart valve.
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25. A method for removing calcified deposits from a heart valve comprising applying sufficient high frequency electrical energy to calcified deposits on a heart valve to remove said calcified deposits while substantially maintaining the elasticity and structure of the heart valve.
Specification