Contact sensitive probes with indicators
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A probe, comprising:
- a probe shaft defining a longitudinal axis, a distal end and a proximal end;
an electrode defining a longitudinal axis;
a joint, secured to the probe shaft and to the electrode, that mounts the electrode distal of the distal end of the probe shaft such that the electrode is located in a first position when the joint is unstressed and the electrode is movable in the axial direction relative to the distal end of the probe shaft;
a handle secured to the proximal end of the probe shaft;
an indicator carried by the handle and having an off state and an on state; and
means for maintaining the indicator in an off state unless the electrode moves a predetermined non-zero distance in the axial direction from the first position and switching the indicator from the off state to the on state in response to the application of a suitable level of force on the electrode for an endocardial lesion formation procedure electrode moving the predetermined non-zero distance in the axial direction from the first position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Probes that are sensitive to electrode/tissue contact and that are configured to connect an electrode to a power supply and/or provide an indication when the desired level of electrode/tissue contact has been achieved.
31 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A probe, comprising:
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a probe shaft defining a longitudinal axis, a distal end and a proximal end; an electrode defining a longitudinal axis; a joint, secured to the probe shaft and to the electrode, that mounts the electrode distal of the distal end of the probe shaft such that the electrode is located in a first position when the joint is unstressed and the electrode is movable in the axial direction relative to the distal end of the probe shaft; a handle secured to the proximal end of the probe shaft; an indicator carried by the handle and having an off state and an on state; and means for maintaining the indicator in an off state unless the electrode moves a predetermined non-zero distance in the axial direction from the first position and switching the indicator from the off state to the on state in response to the application of a suitable level of force on the electrode for an endocardial lesion formation procedure electrode moving the predetermined non-zero distance in the axial direction from the first position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A probe, comprising:
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a catheter shaft defining a distal end and a proximal end; a power wire and a return wire extending though the catheter shaft; and an electrode structure, associated with the distal end of the catheter shaft, including an electrically conductive base mounted directly onto the distal end of the catheter shaft and secured to the return wire, an electrode secured to the power wire, and a joint, which is not integrally formed with any portion of the catheter shaft, that secures the electrode relative to the electrically conductive base such that the electrode is movable between a first position where the electrically conductive base and electrode are electrically disconnected from one another and a second position where the electrically conductive base and electrode are electrically connected to one another. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A probe, comprising:
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a catheter shaft defining a distal end; a power wire and a return wire extending though the catheter shaft; and an electrode structure, associated with the distal end of the catheter shaft, including an electrically conductive base mounted directly onto the distal end of the catheter shaft and secured to the return wire, an electrode secured to the power wire, and a flexible tube that defines an inner diameter and that secures the electrode relative to the electrically conductive base such that the electrode is movable between a first position where the electrically conductive base and electrode are electrically disconnected from one another and a second position where the electrically conductive base and electrode are electrically connected to one another wherein the catheter shaft defines an inner diameter that is less than inner diameter of the flexible tube.
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22. A probe, comprising:
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a probe shaft defining a distal end and a proximal end; a power wire and a return wire extending though the probe shaft; and an electrode structure, associated with the distal end of the probe shaft, including an electrically conductive base mounted on the distal end of the probe shaft, secured to the return wire, formed from a base material, and defining a stiffness and a base configuration, an electrode secured to the power wire, formed from an electrode material, and defining an electrode configuration, and a joint that defines a flexibility and secures the electrode relative to the electrically conductive base wherein the stiffness of the electrically conductive base and the flexibility of the joint are such that the electrode structure is movable, without bending of the electrically conductive base, between a first state where the electrically conductive base and electrode are electrically disconnected from one another and a second state where the electrically conductive base and electrode are electrically connected to one another, and wherein the respective configurations and materials of the electrode and the electrically conductive base are such that the electrically conductive base will not deflect when the electrode applies force to the electrically conductive base. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification