Systems and methods for conducting electrophysiological testing using high-voltage energy pulses to stun tissue
AssigneeSciMed Life Systems, Inc.
InventorDavid K. Swanson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods for diagnosing and treating tissue transmit an electrical energy pulse that temporarily stuns a zone of tissue, temporarily rendering it electrically unresponsive. The systems and methods sense an electrophysiological effect due to the transmitted pulse. The systems and methods alter an electrophysiological property of tissue in or near the zone based, at least in part, upon the sensed electrophysiological effect. The alteration of the electrophysiological property can be accomplished, for example, by tissue ablation or by the administration of medication. In a preferred implementation, radio frequency energy is used to both temporarily stun tissue and to ablate tissue through a common electrode.
Claims28
An electrophysiological method, comprising the steps of:
- transmitting an electrical energy pulse that temporarily renders a zone of tissue electrically unresponsive for at least one second;
- and
- sensing an electrophysiological effect due to the transmitted pulse.
An electrophysiological method, comprising the steps of;
- sensing at least one electrical event in a region of tissue;
- transmitting into an area of the region an electrical energy pulse that temporarily renders tissue in the area electrically unresponsive for at least one second;
- and
- sensing a change in the electrical event while the tissue in the area is electrically unresponsive.
An electrophysiological system, comprising
- an energy transmission device;
- and
- an energy source, coupled to the energy transmission device, adapted to transmit an energy pulse through the energy transmission device that temporarily renders a zone of tissue electrically unresponsive for at least one second.
A system as claimed in claim 26, wherein the relatively short shaft is malleable.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.