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RF ablation apparatus and method having electrode/tissue contact assessment scheme and electrocardiogram filtering

  • US 6,391,024 B1
  • Filed: 06/17/1999
  • Issued: 05/21/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of assessing the adequacy of contact between an ablation electrode carried by an electrode device and biological tissue within a moving biological organ having biological fluid therein, said method comprising the steps of:

  • positioning the ablation electrode in the biological fluid;

    positioning a reference electrode a distance from a first electrode and the biological tissue;

    obtaining a reference impedance value by measuring the impedance between the ablation electrode and the reference electrode, wherein the reference impedance value is the average of a plurality of reference impedance values obtained during a given time period sufficient to include a plurality of organ movements;

    moving the ablation electrode to a position proximal the biological tissue;

    obtaining an assessment impedance value by measuring the impedance between the ablation electrode and the reference electrode, wherein the assessment impedance value is the average of a plurality of assessment impedance values obtained during a given time period sufficient to include a plurality of organ movements;

    analyzing the assessment impedance and the reference impedance; and

    indicating the state of electrode/tissue contact.

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