Tissue diagnosis and treatment using mini-electrodes
AssigneeBoston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
InventorsLeon Fay, Paul Hultz, Doron Harlev
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example electrophysiology medical device may include a catheter shaft including a distal end portion and a sensing assembly having three or more terminals. The sensing assembly includes one or more current-carrying electrodes and one or more sensing electrodes. The one or more current-carrying electrodes, the one or more sensing electrodes, or both includes a mini-electrode. The mini-electrode is disposed on one of the other electrodes. The medical device may also include a controller coupled to the sensing assembly.
Claims20
An electrophysiology medical device, comprising:
- a catheter shaft including a distal end portion;
- a sensing assembly having three or more terminals;
- wherein the sensing assembly includes one or more current-carrying electrodes and one or more sensing electrodes;
- wherein the one or more current-carrying electrodes, the one or more sensing electrodes, or both includes a mini-electrode;
- wherein the mini-electrode is disposed on one of the other electrodes;
- and
- a controller coupled to the sensing assembly.
An electrophysiology medical device, comprising:
- a catheter shaft including a distal end portion, wherein the distal end portion includes a plurality of electrodes;
- wherein the plurality of electrodes includes at least one current-carrying electrode, a first sensing electrode and a second sensing electrode;
- wherein at least one of the electrodes is a mini-electrode disposed on another one of the other electrodes;
- wherein the first sensing electrode is spaced from the current-carrying electrode a first distance;
- wherein the second sensing electrode is spaced from the current-carrying electrode a second distance;
- and
- wherein the first distance is different from the second distance.
A method for diagnosing and/or treating a condition of the heart, the method comprising:
- advancing an electrophysiology catheter through a blood vessel to a position adjacent a target site;
- utilizing the catheter to determine the proximity of the catheter to the target site, wherein the catheter includes:
- a distal end portion;
- a four-terminal sensing assembly disposed on the distal end portion;
- wherein the four-terminal sensing assembly includes one or more current-carrying electrodes and one or more sensing electrodes;
- wherein the one or more current-carrying electrodes and/or the one or more sensing electrodes includes a mini-electrode;
- and
- a controller coupled to the four-terminal sensing assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.