Assessment of electrode coupling for tissue ablation
US9283026B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 6, 2006 |
| Grant date | Mar 15, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 14, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2090/065
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An electrode catheter (14) and a method for assessing electrode-tissue contact and coupling are disclosed. An exemplary electrode catheter (14) comprises an electrode (20) adapted to apply electrical energy. A measurement circuit (42) is adapted to measure impedance between the electrode (20) and ground as the electrode approaches a target tissue (24). A processor (50) determines a contact and coupling condition for the target tissue (24) based at least in part on reactance of the impedance measured by the measurement circuit (42). In another exemplary embodiment, the electrode catheter (14) determines the contact and coupling condition based at least in part on a phase angle of the impedance.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.