System and method for assessing electrode-tissue contact and lesion quality during RF ablation by measurement of conduction time
US6761716B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 18, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jul 13, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 23, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2018/0066
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The efficacy of a lesion produced between a pair of ablation electrodes is assessed by analyzing the time it takes for a pulse of energy to travel from one electrode to the other. During a first time period, a first pulse of energy is applied to a first electrode. The time it takes for the pulse to conduct through the tissue to a second electrode is determined. During a time period subsequent to the first time, a subsequent pulse of energy is applied to the first electrode and the time it takes for the subsequent pulse to conduct through the tissue to the second electrode is determined. Changes in the conduction times are monitored by calculating the difference between consecutive conduction times and comparing the difference to a preset value. If the difference is below the preset value the lesion is considered adequate.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.