# US 10,499,983 B2 · Ablation systems and methods using heat shunt networks > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,499,983 B2 - Document ID: US10499983B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/336,648 - Filed: 2016-10-27 - Published: 2017-02-16 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2014-11-19 - Assignees: Epix Therapeutics, Inc. - Applicants: Epix Therapeutics, Inc. - Inventors: Eric Andrew Schultheis; Josef Vincent Koblish; Dorin Panescu - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10499983B2 ## CPC - A61B 18/1492: {having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation (A61B18/1477 takes precedence)} - A61B 5/01: Measuring temperature of body parts {; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue} (clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20) - A61B 5/068: {using impedance sensors} - A61B 5/150954: {Means for the detection of operative contact with patient, e.g. by temperature sensitive sensor} - A61B 5/287: Holders for multiple electrodes, e.g. electrode catheters for electrophysiological study [EPS] - A61B 5/6852: {Catheters} - A61B 18/1206: {Generators therefor} - A61B 2018/00023: {closed, i.e. without wound contact by the fluid} - A61B 2018/00029: {open} - A61B 2018/00083: {low, i.e. electrically insulating} - A61B 2018/00101: {low, i.e. thermally insulating} - A61B 2018/0016: {Energy applicators arranged in a two- or three dimensional array} - A61B 2018/00351: {Heart} - A61B 2018/00357: {Endocardium} - A61B 2018/00577: {Ablation} - A61B 2018/00642: {with feedback, i.e. closed loop control} - A61B 2018/00672: {lower} - A61B 2018/00678: {upper} - A61B 2018/00702: {Power or energy} - A61B 2018/00714: {Temperature} - A61B 2018/00761: {Duration} - A61B 2018/00797: {measured by multiple temperature sensors} - A61B 2018/00815: {measured by a thermistor} - A61B 2018/00821: {measured by a thermocouple} - A61B 2018/00839: {Bioelectrical parameters, e.g. ECG, EEG} - A61B 2018/00875: {Resistance or impedance} - A61B 2018/128: {generating two or more frequencies} - A61B 2018/1467: {using more than two electrodes on a single probe} - A61B 2217/007: with irrigation system - A61B 2218/002: Irrigation - A61B 2562/046: in a matrix array - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract According to some embodiments, a medical instrument (for example, an ablation device) comprises an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end, an energy delivery member positioned at the distal end of the elongate body, a first plurality of temperature-measurement devices carried by or positioned within the energy delivery member, the first plurality of temperature-measurement devices being thermally insulated from the energy delivery member, and a second plurality of temperature-measurement devices positioned proximal to a proximal end of the energy delivery member, the second plurality of temperature-measurement devices being thermally insulated from the energy delivery member. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An ablation device comprising: an elongate body comprising a distal end; an electrode positioned at the distal end of the elongate body, the electrode defining an outer surface and an inner surface; a plurality of thermal shunt members in thermal communication with the electrode to selectively remove heat from at least one of the electrode and tissue being treated by the electrode when the electrode is activated; a first one of the plurality of thermal shunt members extends at least partially through an interior of the electrode to dissipate and remove heat from the electrode during use; a second one of the plurality of thermal shunt members being disposed proximal to the electrode and a third one of the plurality of thermal shunt members being disposed distal to the electrode, an outer surface of the third one of the plurality of thermal shunt members being substantially flush with the outer surface of the electrode, the second one and the third one of the plurality of thermal shunt members being differently sized; at least one fluid conduit extending at least partially through an interior of the elongate body and at least partially through an interior of the first one of the plurality of thermal shunt members, the first one of the plurality of thermal shunt members is in thermal communication with the at least one fluid conduit, the at least one fluid conduit being configured to place the electrode in fluid communication with a fluid source to selectively remove heat from the electrode or tissue. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the electrode comprises a first electrode portion and at least a second electrode portion, wherein an electrically insulating gap is located between the first electrode portion and the at least a second electrode portion to facilitate high-resolution mapping along a targeted anatomical area. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the first one of the plurality of thermal shunt members comprises a thermal diffusivity greater than 1.5 cm2/sec. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one fluid conduit comprises at least one opening. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the first one of the plurality of thermal shunt members comprises a diamond. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the first one of the plurality of thermal shunt members comprises Graphene or another carbon-based material. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one fluid conduit is in direct thermal communication with the first one of the plurality of thermal shunt members. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one fluid conduit is in indirect thermal communication with the first one of the plurality of thermal shunt members. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one fluid conduit comprises at least one opening, wherein the at least one opening places irrigation fluid passing through the at least one fluid conduit in direct physical contact with at least a portion of the first one of the plurality of thermal shunt members. ### Claim 10 An ablation device comprising: an elongate body comprising a distal end; an ablation member positioned at the distal end of the elongate body, the ablation member defining an outer surface and an inner surface; a plurality of thermal shunt members placing a heat shunting element in thermal communication with the ablation member to selectively remove heat from at least a portion of the ablation member or tissue being treated by the ablation member when the ablation member is activated the heat shunting element of the at least a first one of the plurality of thermal shunt members extends at least partially through an interior of the ablation member to dissipate heat generated by the ablation member during use; a second one of the plurality of thermal shunt members being disposed proximal to the ablation member and a third one of the plurality of thermal shunt members being disposed distal to the ablation member, an outer surface of the third one of the plurality of thermal shunt members being substantially flush with the outer surface of the ablation member, the second one and the third one of the plurality of thermal shunt members being differently sized; and at least one fluid conduit extending at least partially through an interior of the elongate body, the first one of the plurality of thermal shunt members is in thermal communication with the at least one fluid conduit. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein the first one of the plurality of thermal shunt members comprises a thermal diffusivity greater than 1.5 cm2/sec; wherein the at least one fluid conduit extends at least partially through an interior of the at least one thermal shunt member; and wherein the at least one fluid conduit comprises at least one opening. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein the first one of the plurality of thermal shunt members comprises a thermal diffusivity greater than 1.5 cm2/sec. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein the at least one fluid conduit extends at least partially through an interior of the first one of the plurality of thermal shunt members, the at least one fluid conduit comprising at least one opening. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein the ablation member comprises a first electrode portion and at least a second electrode portion, wherein an electrically insulating gap is located between the first electrode portion and the at least a second electrode portion to facilitate high-resolution mapping along a targeted anatomical area. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein the first one of the plurality of thermal shunt members comprises a diamond. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein the first one of the plurality of thermal shunt members comprises a carbon-based material. ### Claim 17 An ablation device comprising: an elongate body; an ablation member positioned at or proximate to a distal end of the elongate body, the ablation member defining an outer surface and an inner surface; a plurality of thermal shunt members in thermal communication with the ablation member, the plurality of thermal shunt members being configured to remove heat from at least a portion of the ablation member or tissue being treated by the ablation member when the ablation member is activated; a first one of the plurality of thermal shunt members at least partially through an interior of the ablation member to dissipate heat generated by the ablation member during use; a second one of the plurality of thermal shunt members being disposed proximal to the ablation member and a third one of the plurality of thermal shunt members being disposed distal to the ablation member, an outer surface of the third one of the plurality of thermal shunt members being substantially flush with the outer surface of the ablation member, the second one and the third one of the plurality of thermal shunt members being differently sized; and at least one fluid conduit extending at least partially through an interior of the elongate body, wherein the first one of the plurality of thermal shunt members is in thermal communication with the at least one fluid conduit. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17, wherein the first one of the plurality of thermal shunt members comprises a thermal diffusivity greater than 1.5 cm2/sec. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17, wherein the at least one fluid conduit extends at least partially through an interior of the first one of the plurality of thermal shunt members. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17, wherein the ablation member comprises a first electrode portion and at least a second electrode portion, wherein an electrically insulating gap is located between the first electrode portion and the at least a second electrode portion to facilitate high-resolution mapping along a targeted anatomical area.