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.
Claims14
An electrophysiological method, comprising the steps of:
- transmitting an electrical energy pulse that temporarily renders a zone of tissue having a first predetermined depth electrically unresponsive for at least one second;
- and
- sensing an electrophysiological effect due to the transmitted pulse.
An electrophysiological method, comprising the steps of:
- forming an area of modified tissue;
- sensing an electrophysiological effect caused by the formation of the area of modified tissue;
- transmitting an electrical energy pulse that temporarily renders a zone of tissue electrically unresponsive;
- and
- sensing an electrophysiological effect caused by the formation of the area of modified tissue and the zone of temporarily electrically unresponsive tissue.
A method of forming an elongate area of modified tissue, comprising the steps of:
- attempting to modify a continuous area of tissue between a first predetermined point and a second predetermined point;
- determining whether there are any areas of unmodified tissue between the first predetermined point and the second predetermined point;
- transmitting an electrical energy pulse that temporarily renders a suspected zone of unmodified tissue electrically unresponsive;
- and
- sensing an electrophysiological effect due to the transmitted pulse.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.