Method and apparatus for selecting operating parameter values in electrophysiology procedures
AssigneeC.R. Bard, Inc.
InventorDebbie Stevens-Wright
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Abstract
Methods of selecting operating parameter values for tissue ablation procedures are disclosed. Energy supply parameters may be selected based on inputs such as fluid flow rate, impedance, and the distance from an ablation electrode surface to a target tissue surface. The distance to place an ablation electrode surface from a target tissue surface may be selected based on various operating parameter values and/or operating condition values. Operating curves, lookup tables, or processors may be used to select operating parameter values.
Claims20
A method of selecting an operating parameter value for supplying energy to an ablation electrode, comprising:
- (a) receiving a first signal representing a value of a fluid flow rate;
- (b) receiving a second signal representing a value of an impedance;
- (c) receiving a third signal representing a value of a positive distance from an ablation electrode surface to a target tissue surface;
- and
- (d) selecting a value for an operating parameter for supplying energy to the ablation electrode as a function of the first, second and third signals;
- wherein:
- (d) comprises selecting the operating parameter value based on relationships established between (1) values of the operating parameter and (2) fluid flow rate values, impedance values and distance values;
- the relationships are established with analyses of a numerical model of transmission of energy to biological tissue by an ablation electrode;
- the numerical model comprises a finite element model;
- and
- to model a tissue temperature distribution, the numerical model comprises equations for modeling an electric field created by the ablation electrode, heat generated by the electric field, and a velocity field of the fluid flow.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.