Pressure-sensitive conductive composite electrode and method for ablation
First Claim
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1. An electrode for ablation therapy, the electrode comprising:
- a conductive element for conducting electrical energy;
a pressure sensitive conductive composite member that is in electrically conductive contact with the conductive element; and
a catheter base coupled to at least one of the conductive element and the pressure sensitive conductive composite.
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to ablation devices and methods utilizing pressure sensitive conductive composites, such as quantum tunneling composites, or other contact-sensitive, conductive polymers. The materials provide for electrodes and methods capable of differentiating between a soft and a hard push. The present invention thus provides an electrode for delivering selective electrical energy for ablation that may be varied based upon the pressure exerted on the surface area of the targeted tissue.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. An electrode for ablation therapy, the electrode comprising:
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a conductive element for conducting electrical energy; a pressure sensitive conductive composite member that is in electrically conductive contact with the conductive element; and a catheter base coupled to at least one of the conductive element and the pressure sensitive conductive composite. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An ablation electrode for ablation therapy, the ablation electrode comprising:
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an electrically insulative member, said member also being thermally conductive; a passageway for a coolant fluid flow through the electrically insulative member to cool the electrode during use; a flexible, conductive element for conducting RF energy, said conductive element at least partially covering the electrically insulative member; and a layer of pressure sensitive conductive composite that covers at least part of the flexible, conductive element. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. An electrode for ablation therapy, the electrode comprising:
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a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end; an electrical conductor for conducting RF energy; and a layer of quantum tunneling composite that is in electrical communication with the electrical conductor, said layer being located at least in part at the distal end of the catheter. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29)
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30. An electrode assembly for conducting ablative energy, said assembly comprising:
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an electrode for conducting ablative energy; a quantum tunneling composite member; and an RF energy source coupled to the quantum tunneling composite member; wherein the electrode is disposed relative to the quantum tunneling composite member such that pressure that is applied to the electrode is transferred to the quantum tunneling composite member and causes the quantum tunneling composite member to become electrically conductive such that it conducts electrical energy to the electrode. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification