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:
Jan. 17, 2012
Filed:
Dec. 22, 2005
Henry R Halperin, Baltimore, MD (US);
Ronald D. Berger, Baltimore, MD (US);
Ergin Atalar, Columbia, MD (US);
Elliot R Mcveigh, Potomac, MD (US);
Albert Lardo, Baldwin, MD (US);
Hugh Calkins, Baltimore, MD (US);
Joao Lima, Timonium, MD (US);
Henry R Halperin, Baltimore, MD (US);
Ronald D. Berger, Baltimore, MD (US);
Ergin Atalar, Columbia, MD (US);
Elliot R McVeigh, Potomac, MD (US);
Albert Lardo, Baldwin, MD (US);
Hugh Calkins, Baltimore, MD (US);
Joao Lima, Timonium, MD (US);
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD (US);
Abstract
A system and method for using magnetic resonance imaging to increase the accuracy of electrophysiologic procedures includes an invasive combined electrophysiology and imaging antenna catheter which includes an RF antenna for receiving magnetic resonance signals and diagnostic electrodes for receiving electrical potentials. The combined electrophysiology and imaging antenna catheter is used in combination with a magnetic resonance imaging scanner to guide and provide visualization during electrophysiologic diagnostic or therapeutic procedures, such as ablation of cardiac arrhythmias. The combined electrophysiology and imaging antenna catheter may further include an ablation tip, and be used as an intracardiac device to deliver energy to selected areas of tissue and visualize the resulting ablation lesions. The antenna utilized in the combined electrophysiology and imaging catheter for receiving MR signals is preferably of the coaxial or 'loopless' type. High-resolution images from the antenna may be combined with low-resolution images from surface coils of the MR scanner to produce a composite image. A system for eliminating the pickup of RF energy in which intracardiac wires are detuned by filtering so that they become very inefficient antennas. An RF filtering system is provided for suppressing the MR imaging signal while not attenuating the RF ablative current. Steering means may be provided for steering the invasive catheter under MR guidance. Other ablative methods can be used such as laser, ultrasound, and low temperatures.