Thin layer ablation apparatus
US5575788A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 6, 1994 |
| Grant date | Nov 19, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 6, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2025/1086
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An ablation apparatus for ablating an inner layer in an organ or lumen of a body, or any desired thin layer, includes an expandable member made of a material with a porous exterior surface. An electrolytic solution, housed in an interior of the expandable member, releases electrolytic solution through the porous exterior surface. A conforming member, which can be an open cell foam material, has an RF conductive surface, and a back side in a surrounding relationship to an exterior surface of the expandable member. Further, the conforming member includes non-zone areas that have a first porosity rate for delivering electrolytic solution to the inner layer. The conforming member also includes a zone for housing each RF electrode and electrolytic solution. Zones have a second porosity rate that is less than the first porosity rate, thus permitting electrolytic solution to pass through the non-zone areas at a faster rate than in the zones. The zones provide an area where electrolytic solution is heated to a higher temperature, due to the differences in porosity with the non-zones. With the combination of the electrode and the heated electrolytic solution in each zone, a larger electrode…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.