Multi-function electrode structures for electrically analyzing and heating body tissue
US5836874A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 8, 1996 |
| Grant date | Nov 17, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 8, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2018/00214
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Systems and methods for heating body tissue place a multi-function structure having an exterior wall in contact with body tissue. The structure includes an array of electrically conducting electrode segments carried by the exterior wall. An electrically conductive network is coupled to the electrode segments, including at least one electrically conductive path individually coupled to each electrode segment. The systems and methods operate in a first mode during which the network is electrically conditioned to individually sense at each electrode segment local electrical events in tissue, such as electrical potentials, resistivity, or impedance. The systems and methods operate in a second mode during which the network is electrically conditioned, based at least in part upon local electrical events sensed by the electrode segments, to couple at least two electrode segments together to simultaneously transmit electrical energy to heat or ablate a region of body tissue.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.