TISSUE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT USING MINI-ELECTRODES

• US 20160100884A1
• Filed: 10/12/2015
• Published: 04/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Hultz, Paul, Harlev, Doron, Fay, Leon
• Granted Patent: US 10,524,684 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00351 Heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00357 Endocardium
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00642 with feedback, i.e. closed loop control
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00827 Current
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00839 Bioelectrical parameters, e.g. ECG, EEG
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00875 Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00892 Voltage
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1407 Loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1467 using more than two electrodes on a single probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1497 Electrodes covering only part of the probe circumference
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/065 for measuring contact or contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0257 Proximity sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0538 invasively, e.g. using a catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/287 Holders for multiple electrodes, e.g. electrode catheters for electrophysiological study [EPS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6852 Catheters

Abstract

Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example electrophysiology medical device may include a catheter shaft including a distal end portion and a sensing assembly having three or more terminals. The sensing assembly includes one or more current-carrying electrodes and one or more sensing electrodes. The one or more current-carrying electrodes, the one or more sensing electrodes, or both includes a mini-electrode. The mini-electrode is disposed on one of the other electrodes. The medical device may also include a controller coupled to the sensing assembly.

Claims

1. An electrophysiology medical device, comprising:

a catheter shaft including a distal end portion;

a sensing assembly having three or more terminals;

wherein the sensing assembly includes one or more current-carrying electrodes and one or more sensing electrodes;

wherein the one or more current-carrying electrodes, the one or more sensing electrodes, or both includes a mini-electrode;

wherein the mini-electrode is disposed on one of the other electrodes; and

a controller coupled to the sensing assembly.

2. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the sensing assembly includes four terminals.

3. The medical device of claim 1, wherein one or more of the three or more terminals are disposed along the distal end portion of the catheter shaft.

4. The medical device of claim 1, wherein one or more of the three or more terminals are disposed along a device separate from the catheter shaft.

5. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the one or more current-carrying electrodes includes at least one mini-electrode.

6. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensing electrodes includes one mini-electrode.

7. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the one or more current-carrying electrodes includes a mini-electrode and the one or more sensing electrodes includes two mini-electrodes.

8. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the one or more current-carrying electrodes includes two mini-electrodes and the one or more sensing electrodes includes a mini-electrode.

9. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the one or more current-carrying electrodes includes two mini-electrodes and the one or more sensing electrodes includes two mini-electrodes.

10. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the one or more current-carrying electrodes or the one or more sensing electrodes includes an ablation electrode.

11. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the one or more current-carrying electrodes includes an ablation electrode and wherein the one or more sensing electrodes includes an electrode disposed on the ablation electrode.

12. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensing electrodes includes an ablation electrode and wherein the one or more current-carrying electrodes includes an electrode disposed on the ablation electrode.

13. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the one or more current-carrying electrodes or the one or more sensing electrodes includes a ring electrode.

14. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the one or more current-carrying electrodes includes an ablation electrode and a ring electrode, and wherein the one or more sensing electrodes includes at least one mini-electrode.

15. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the one or more current-carrying electrodes includes at least one mini-electrode, and wherein the one or more sensing electrodes includes an ablation electrode and a ring electrode.

16. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the one or more current-carrying electrodes includes an ablation electrode and a mini-electrode and wherein the one or more sensing electrodes includes a ring electrode and a mini-electrode.

17. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the one or more current-injecting electrodes includes a ring electrode and a mini-electrode and wherein the one or more sensing electrodes includes an ablation electrode and a mini-electrode.

18. An electrophysiology medical device, comprising:

a catheter shaft including a distal end portion, wherein the distal end portion includes a plurality of electrodes;

wherein the plurality of electrodes includes at least one current-carrying electrode, a first sensing electrode and a second sensing electrode;

wherein at least one of the electrodes is a mini-electrode disposed on another one of the other electrodes;

wherein the first sensing electrode is spaced from the current-carrying electrode a first distance;

wherein the second sensing electrode is spaced from the current-carrying electrode a second distance; and

wherein the first distance is different from the second distance.

19. The medical device of claim 18, further comprising:

a controller coupled to the plurality of electrodes;

wherein the at least one current-carrying electrode and the first and second sensing electrodes are arranged in at least one four-terminal sensing configuration; and

wherein the controller is capable of calculating a parameter capable of indicating the proximity of the medical device to tissue.

20. A method for diagnosing and/or treating a condition of the heart, the method comprising:

advancing an electrophysiology catheter through a blood vessel to a position adjacent a target site;

utilizing the catheter to determine the proximity of the catheter to the target site, wherein the catheter includes;

a distal end portion;

a four-terminal sensing assembly disposed on the distal end portion;

wherein the four-terminal sensing assembly includes one or more current-carrying electrodes and one or more sensing electrodes;

wherein the one or more current-carrying electrodes and/or the one or more sensing electrodes includes a mini-electrode; and

a controller coupled to the four-terminal sensing assembly.