US 7,270,662 B2Granted

Surgical perforation device with electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring ability and method of using ECG to position a surgical perforation device

OwnerNaheed Visram, Krishan Shahinventors

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A device with a functional tip containing at least one active electrode capable of creating a controlled perforation in body tissue through the application of energy (e.g. Radio Frequency (RF)) is described. The position of the tip of the device can be determined in response to ECG measured at the tip and determined by a monitor coupled to the device. The device is useful to remove or perforate unwanted tissue in a controlled manner in any location in the body, particularly in the atrial septum for controlled transseptal puncture. In this application, the device is introduced into the right atrium, and the functional tip is then positioned against the atrial septum. ECG is used to locate the region of the fossa ovalis on the atrial septum. Energy is applied to create the perforation and ECG is monitored to determine if the perforation was created in a desired location.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A method for creating a channel through a cardiac septal material located in a body of a patient, said body having a body vasculature, said method using a surgical device comprising a substantially elongated member, said elongated member defining a proximal region and a longitudinally opposed distal region, said surgical device also comprising an active electrode for delivering a radio-frequency electrical current into said cardiac septal material, said active electrode being operatively coupled to said elongated member substantially adjacent said distal region, said method further using a grounding pad attachable to said patient for providing a return path for said radio-frequency electrical current, said method comprising:

introducing said surgical device into said body of said patient;
attaching said grounding pad to said patient;
positioning said active electrode at a first desired location in said body of said patient, said first desired location being substantially adjacent said cardiac septal material;
obtaining data about an electrical parameter of said cardiac septal material using said active electrode so as to substantially assess the position of said surgical device;
and
creating said channel through said cardiac septal material by delivering said radio-frequency electrical current from said active electrode to said grounding pad, said radio-frequency electrical current being delivered through said cardiac septal material;
wherein said active electrode has a diameter of 0.04 cm or less.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.