Method and apparatus for measuring catheter contact force during a medical procedure
US8206380B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 12, 2009 |
| Grant date | Jun 26, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 26, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2090/065
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method for measuring the contact force exerted on tissue by a probe for heating the tissue and containing an antenna which is connected to a radiometer whose output reading indicates the temperature at depth of the tissue contacted by the probe comprises displaying the output reading of the radiometer, applying sufficient power to the probe to heat the tissue to a selected first temperature that is not lethal to the tissue, moving the probe into contact with the tissue, observing the increase in the displayed temperature reading that occurs when the probe contacts the tissue, and advancing the probe toward the tissue until the displayed temperature reading reaches a value corresponding to a selected tissue contact force. After the probe position in the tissue has stabilized, the applied power to the probe may be increased to heat the tissue to a selected second temperature that is lethal to tissue for a sufficient time to ablate the tissue followed by lowering the tissue heating to a sub-lethal temperature. Apparatus for practicing the method is also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.