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:
Dec. 08, 1998
Filed:
Apr. 08, 1996
Jerome Jackson, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
James G Whayne, Saratoga, CA (US);
Patrick M Owens, Cupertino, CA (US);
Thomas F Kordis, San Jose, CA (US);
Russell B Thompson, Los Altos, CA (US);
Dorin Panescu, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
David K Swanson, Mountain View, CA (US);
EP Technologies, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Abstract
Collapsible electrode assemblies and associated methods employing a structure having an axis and a distal end. The structure comprises a wall peripherally enclosing an interior. The structure is adapted to selectively assume an expanded geometry having a first maximum diameter about the axis and a collapsed geometry having a second maximum diameter about the axis less than the first maximum diameter. An electrically conductive material is carried by the wall, forming an electrode region adapted to conform to both the normally expanded geometry and the collapsed geometry of the structure. In one implementation, a flexing element in the interior of the structure bends within the interior along the axis of the structure to displace the distal end relative to the axis. In another implementation, a stilette element within the interior of the structure imparts axial force upon the distal end along the axis of the structure, thereby axially elongating or shortening the structure.