Detecting coagulum formation
US7008417B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 22, 2002 |
| Grant date | Mar 7, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 5, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2018/00791
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Techniques for detecting coagulum formation on an ablation electrode make use of an ablation electrode that is connected to a radio-frequency (RF) generator capable of applying a small amount of RF energy that is not cell destructive. The temperature at the ablation electrode can be precisely measured using a thermosensor incorporated within the ablation electrode. Before and after actual ablation, a low, non-cell destructing (non-ablating) amount of RF energy is generated at the ablation electrode. If no coagulum has formed during actual ablation, the temperature increase during this test application will be similar before and after the ablation attempt. If coagulum has formed during the actual ablation, however, the temperature increase during the test application after ablation will be significantly higher.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.