Electrophysiological treatment methods and apparatus employing high voltage pulse to render tissue temporarily unresponsive
First Claim
1. An electrophysiological system, comprising:
- an apparatus that modifies tissue; and
an apparatus that generates and transmits an electrical energy pulse that temporarily renders a zone of tissue electrically unresponsive.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for diagnosing and treating tissue transmit an electrical energy pulse that temporarily stuns a zone of tissue, temporarily rendering it electrically unresponsive. The systems and methods sense an electrophysiological effect due to the transmitted pulse. The systems and methods alter an electrophysiological property of tissue in or near the zone based, at least in part, upon the sensed electrophysiological effect. The alteration of the electrophysiological property can be accomplished, for example, by tissue ablation or by the administration of medication. In a preferred implementation, radio frequency energy is used to both temporarily stun tissue and to ablate tissue through a common electrode.
-
Citations
19 Claims
-
1. An electrophysiological system, comprising:
-
an apparatus that modifies tissue; and
an apparatus that generates and transmits an electrical energy pulse that temporarily renders a zone of tissue electrically unresponsive. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. An electrophysiological system, comprising:
-
an apparatus that generates and transmits an electrical energy pulse that temporarily renders a zone of tissue having a first predetermined depth electrically unresponsive for at least one second; and
an apparatus adapted to sense an electrophysiological effect due to the transmitted pulse. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A system for modifying tissue, comprising:
-
a support body;
at least one electrode on the support body; and
an energy generator that supplies pulses of energy to the at least one electrode with a voltage high enough to kill tissue by dielectric breakdown and for a period sufficient to kill the tissue and insufficient to vaporize the tissue. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
-
Specification