Patents Assigned to Ep Technologies
  • Patent number: 6022346
    Abstract: Systems and methods using an electrode able to transmit heating or ablation energy into tissue include first and second sensing elements associated with the electrode for measuring first and second temperatures. The electrode also includes a heating element in thermal conductive contact with the electrode for heating the electrode. The systems and methods sequentially activate the heating element and sense temperatures without transmitting tissue heating or ablation energy, and then transmit heating or ablation energy and sense temperatures without activating the heating element, to derive from the sensed temperatures a prediction of maximum tissue temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Ep Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dorin Panescu, Sidney D. Fleischman, David K. Swanson
  • Patent number: 6014590
    Abstract: Structures having asymmetric mechanical properties provide enhanced ability to support therapeutic or diagnostic elements in contact with tissue in an interior body region. The support structure includes a first region, which exhibits a first mechanical property affecting tissue contact, and a second region spaced from the first region about the axis, which exhibits a second mechanical property, different than the first mechanical property, affecting tissue contact. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second mechanical properties correlate with stiffness of the respective first and second regions, with the first region being more flexible (i.e., less stiff) than the second region. The first region, due to its greater flexibility, is more conformal to tissue than the second region. The less flexible (i.e., more stiff) second region imparts greater force against the tissue to urge the more flexible first region toward intimate tissue contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James G. Whayne, Sidney D. Fleischman, Dorin Panescu, Thomas F. Kordis, David K. Swanson
  • Patent number: 6014581
    Abstract: An interface for performing a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure on heart tissue with an electrode structure includes a controller which operates to establish an operating condition for the electrode structure, a processing unit coupled to the controller, a memory storage device including process software adapted to be executed by the processing unit and a graphical user interface including a display screen coupled to the processing unit. The process software performs a first control application and a second control application, each control application prescribing procedures for carrying out a given task using the electrode structure, at least one of the control applications prescribing a clinical procedure affecting heart tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James G. Whayne, Dorin Panescu, David McGee, Daniel A. Dupree, David K. Swanson, Tuan Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6013052
    Abstract: A catheter handle including a handle body defining a longitudinally extending handle aperture, a connector adapted to connect a steering wire to the handle body, a piston located at least partially within the handle aperture and slidable relative to the handle aperture, the piston being adapted to be operably connected to a catheter body, and a biasing element, operably connected to the piston, to bias the piston in the distal direction. As an alternative to the biasing element, or in addition, the catheter handle may also include a steering wire anchor associated with the handle body and including a movable portion operably connected to the proximal portion of the steering wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernie Durman, Chris Kunis, Robert Woodard, Fiona Sander
  • Patent number: 6001093
    Abstract: A device for creating the lesions in body tissue includes a support element having an electromagnetic energy emitting region. When caused to emit electromagnetic energy, the region creates a single continuous lesion that is long and thin, having a length that is substantially greater than its width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Swanson, Sidney D. Fleischman
  • Patent number: 5991650
    Abstract: A catheter including a distal end assembly having an external surface coating. Where the distal end assembly includes electrodes or other electrical components, the coating is preferably electrically conductive. Such an electrically conductive coating is formed from a material comprising regenerated cellulose, although other materials such as a hydrogel or a plastic having an electrically conductive component are utilizable. Where the distal end assembly includes optical or ultrasonic components, the regenerated cellulose coating is suitable. The robustness of the surface coating permits the manufacture and utilization of electrode configurations that are formed on a non-conductive base member by processes such as pad printing, vapor deposition, ion beam assisted deposition, electroplating and other printed circuit manufacturing processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Swanson, Yi Yang, James G. Whayne, Josef V. Koblish
  • Patent number: 5984917
    Abstract: A catheter device for inserting a tightened lasso of material into a body by remote control includes a removable end component which provides ratchet-like tightening but prevents loosening of the lasso.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sidney D. Fleischman, James G. Whayne, David K. Swanson
  • Patent number: 5984907
    Abstract: A sleeve assembly for use in the transition region of a catheter between a relatively stiff catheter body and a less stiff distal catheter region mediates the difference in stiffness between these two catheter regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David McGee, Jamil Ahmad, Thomas M. Bourne, Michael Idaomi, Simplicio Velilla, David K. Swanson
  • Patent number: 5968040
    Abstract: Systems and methods support arrays of multiple electrodes in asymmetric pattern, either radially, or axially, or both. Radial asymmetry makes it possible provide localized density of electrodes. Axial asymmetry makes it possible to locate electrodes in a pattern that closely conforms to the irregular contours of an interior body cavity, like the heart. In a preferred embodiment, the systems and methods operate the multiple electrode arrays to form continuous lesion patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Ep Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Swanson, Sidney D. Fleischman, Dorin Panescu, James G. Whayne, Thomas F. Kordis
  • Patent number: 5964753
    Abstract: A probe for cardiac diagnosis and/or treatment has a catheter tube. The distal end of the catheter tube carries first and second electrode elements. The probe includes a mechanism for steering the first electrode element relative to the second electrode element so that the user can move the first electrode element into and out of contact with endocardial tissue without disturbing the contact of the second electrode element with endocardial tissue, even through the two electrode elements are carried on a common catheter tube. The distal end can carry a three dimensional structure having an open interior area. One of electrode elements can be steered through the open interior area of the structure. Electrode elements on the exterior of the structure can be used for surface mapping, while the electrode element inside the structure is steered to ablate tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Stuart D. Edwards
  • Patent number: 5961513
    Abstract: Porous electrode assemblies for tissue heating and ablation systems and methods enable ionic transport of electrical energy to occur substantially free of liquid perfusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Swanson, Dorin Panescu, James G. Whayne, Patrick M. Owens, Russell B. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5954662
    Abstract: Systems and methods acquire electrocardiograms using a first electrode associated with a region of heart tissue and a second body surface electrode. An analog or digital processing element is coupled to the first and second electrodes for conditioning the first electrode to emit a pacing signal and for conditioning the second electrode to sense paced electrocardiograms occurring as a result of the pacing signal. The systems and methods also employ a template of an electrocardiogram of a cardiac event of known diagnosis; for example an arrhythmia that the physician seeks to treat. The systems and methods compare this event-specific template to a sample of a paced electrocardiogram. The comparison yields a matching coefficient indicating how alike the input sample is to the input template. The matching coefficient can be used by the physician, for example, to aid in the location of sites that are potentially appropriate for ablation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Swanson, James G. Whayne, Dorin Panescu
  • Patent number: 5941251
    Abstract: Systems and methods for locating an operative element within an interior body space use a locating probe, which includes at least one transmitting element to transmit an electric waveform output within at least a portion of the space. The systems and methods also use a sensing element, which is adapted to be carried by the operative element to sense a local electric waveform within the space. A processing element coupled to the sensing element generates a processed output that locates the sensing element relative to the locating probe based, at least in part, upon a differential comparison of the waveform output and the sensed local waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dorin Panescu, James G Whayne, David K Swanson, David McGee, David F. Dueiri
  • Patent number: 5935079
    Abstract: Systems and methods evaluate electrical contact between the myocardium and one or more electrodes inside the heart. The systems and methods electrically sense electrical contact between the myocardium and electrodes and generate unitary contact-indicating outputs indicating the presence or absence of electrical contact between the myocardium and each particular electrode. The systems and methods also correlate the electrode-specific unitary outputs to generate a compound contact-indicating output. The compound output represents the aggregate of the electrical contact between the myocardium and multiple electrodes on a multiple electrode array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Swanson, Dorin Panescu
  • Patent number: 5928228
    Abstract: An electrode circuit has a distal region for carrying at least one electrode, a proximal region for connection to external apparatus, and an intermediate region electrically coupling the distal region with the proximal region. At least one, and preferably all, of the regions comprises flexible ribbon cable having two or more adjacent tracks of electrical conduction material and adjoining electrical insulating material. Use of ribbon cable make possible highly dense, extremely reliable electrical connections. Its reliability and density obviate the need for complicated multiplexing schemes at the distal region. Instead, less complicated, proximal multiplexing schemes can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Kordis, Dorin Panescu, David K. Swanson
  • Patent number: 5925038
    Abstract: Electrode assemblies and associated systems employ a nonporous wall having an exterior for contacting tissue. The exterior peripherally surrounds an interior area. The wall is essentially free of electrically conductive material. The wall is adapted to assume an expanded geometry having a first maximum diameter and a collapsed geometry having a second maximum diameter less than the first maximum diameter. The assemblies and systems include a lumen that conveys a medium containing ions into the interior area. An element free of physical contact with the wall couples the medium within the interior area to a source of electrical energy to enable ionic transport of electrical energy from the source through the medium to the wall for capacitive coupling to tissue contacting the exterior of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dorin Panescu, David K. Swanson, James G. Whayne, Thomas F. Kordis
  • Patent number: 5921978
    Abstract: A catheter including fluoroscopic marker components disposed in the catheter distal end portion to provide enhanced fluoroscopic visibility of the catheter end portion. Various embodiments of the marker include a cylindrical plug disposed within the catheter tip, a half section catheter tip, a longitudinal stripe along a sidewall of the catheter end portion, and multiple combinations of marker plugs and marker stripes to provide enhanced in vivo fluoroscopically visible catheter disposition information to the physician. An enhanced embodiment of the present invention includes an orientation marker that is disposed on the steering handle, particularly on the control knob, to provide visual and tactile information to the catheter user regarding the direction to manipulate the control knob in order to maneuver the catheter distal end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell B. Thompson, Sidney D. Fleischman, Bruce H. Wand
  • Patent number: 5921923
    Abstract: A multiple electrode array senses electrical events in heart tissue at different orientations in a localized region. First, second, and third electrode elements are spaced apart along different axes. The electrodes are electrically isolated from each other. The spaced apart and electrically isolated electrodes sense multiple bipolar signals measured along the different axes. The electrode array can, without changing position, continuously record multiple electrical events at different relative orientations within a localized area. The spacing and orientation of electrodes on the array permit the physician to detect a small volume signal (like one associated with an accessory pathway) and to differentiate it from nearby large volume signals (like those associated with atrial and ventricular potentials).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl Heinz Kuck, Russell B. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5916163
    Abstract: A graphical user interface (GUI) is provided for assisting medical personnel in interpreting data collected by a multiple electrode catheter deployed within the body. The GUI generates and displays an image of the multiple electrode catheter. By manipulating appropriate controls, the medical personnel are able to change the orientation of the displayed image until it matches the orientation of the actual multiple electrode catheter as seen on a fluoroscope. Afterwards, the medical personnel can determine the relative position and orientation of the catheter by reference to the GUI generated image. To aid in interpreting data recovered by the catheter, the individual electrodes and splines are highlighted and labeled. Electrodes recovering particular types of physiological waveforms can be automatically identified and highlighted. Comments and anatomic landmarks can be inserted where desired to further assist in interpreting data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dorin Panescu, David McGee, Daniel A. Dupree, David F. Dueiri, David K Swanson, James G Whayne, Robert R. Burnside, Tuan Nguyen
  • Patent number: 5911739
    Abstract: Elongated spline members are threaded through a hub to form depending spline legs. In one embodiment, the spline members are threaded through a puncturable material on the hub. In another embodiment, the spline members are threaded through a slotted hub, which is then encapsulated by a sealing, elastomeric material. In another embodiment, multiple spline members are looped and woven together beyond a distal end of the hub, and the distal end of the hub serves to exert a force that maintains the woven relationship of the spline members. The spline legs, which radiate from the hub, preferable carry one or more diagnostic or therapeutic elements, such as electrodes. Preferably, a base constrains the terminal ends of the spline legs in a normally expanded geometry between the hub and base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: EP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Kordis, James G. Whayne, Dorin Panescu, David K. Swanson, Sidney D. Fleischman