The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 04, 1998
Filed:
Jun. 30, 1995
Thomas H Campbell, San Carlos, CA (US);
Peter Sturzu, Cupertino, CA (US);
Fred R Seddiqui, Los Altos, CA (US);
R Hardwin Mead, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Fidus Medical Technology Corporation, Fremont, CA (US);
Abstract
A variety of improved ablation catheters and methods for using such catheters are described. In one embodiment, the catheter includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced split electrode bands that are provided near the distal end of the catheter to monitor electrophysiological signals in the patient. The electrode bands each include a plurality of electrically isolated electrode segments. The number of electrode segments in each band may be widely varied, as may the number of electrode bands. In another embodiment, the catheter has a transducer that is movable longitudinally relative to the flexible tubular member. In one embodiment, the transducer is carried at the distal end of the transmission line and the transmission line is slideably received within the flexible tubular member such that the transducer can be positioned longitudinally relative to the electrode bands. In still another embodiment, the electrodes are ion implanted on the flexible tubular member. The described catheter is introduced into a patient's body such that a distal portion of the catheter is positioned in a vessel or chamber of an organ such as the heart. The electrodes are used to monitor electrophysiological signals and an appropriate ablation position is identified based at least in part on the monitored electrophysiological signals. The transducer is then positioned at the identified ablation position and electromagnetic energy is applied to a transducer through a transmission line to cause ablation of tissue in a region adjacent the identified ablation position.