Radio frequency dilator sheath
US6419674B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 26, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jul 16, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 26, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N2001/058
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A medical device (10) such as a radio frequency dilator sheath for separating an encapsulated elongated structure (11) such as an electrical cardiac lead implanted in biological tissue (12) such as a vessel leading to or from a patient's heart. The radio frequency dilator sheath includes inner and outer coaxial dilator sheaths (13 and 28) with respective beveled distal ends (18 and 36) for mechanically loosening and separating encapsulating tissue from an implanted electric cardiac lead. The beveled distal end of the inner sheath is truncated to form a transverse face or surface (89) that is approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sheath. Electrical conductors (16 and 17) are positioned about the distal end (14) and passage (15) of the inner dilator sheath. When energized, the electrical conductor emits an electrical arc which electrically separates encapsulating biological tissue from the elongated electrical structure implanted therein and placed in the passage of the inner elongated dilator sheath.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.