Patents Assigned to Philadelphia Heart Institute
  • Method of using endocardial impedance for assessing tissue heating during ablation
    Patent number: 5562721
    Abstract: A method of locating infarcted myocardial tissue in a beating heart includes the step of inserting an impedance measuring tip of a catheter into the chamber of the beating heart, particularly the left or right ventricle, and measuring the impedance of the endocardium at various locations within the chamber of the beating heart. The values measured are compared to impedance values with a predetermined range of values to identify an infarcted area of myocardium and distinguish such area from normal myocardium. The measurements are also compared to a range of values for an infarction border zone. In accordance with the invention, the infarction border zone may be located. The infarction border zone is a significant source of arrhythmia, and particularly of ventricular tachycardia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignees: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Heart Institute, Catholic University of America
    Inventors: Francis E. Marchlinski, David S Schwartzman, Mark S. Mirotznik, Kenneth R. Foster, Charles D. Gottlieb, Isaac Chang
  • Method of using endocardial impedance for determining electrode-tissue contact, appropriate sites for arrhythmia ablation and tissue heating during ablation
    Patent number: 5447529
    Abstract: A method of locating infarcted myocardial tissue in a beating heart includes the step of inserting an impedance measuring tip of a catheter into the chamber of the beating heart, particularly the left or right ventricle, and measuring the impedance of the endocardium at various locations within the chamber of the beating heart. The values measured are compared to impedance values with a predetermined range of values to identify an infarcted area of myocardium and distinguish such area from normal myocardium. The measurements are also compared to a range of values for an infarction border zone. In accordance with the invention, the infarction border zone may be located. The infarction border zone is a significant source of arrhythmia, and particularly of ventricular tachycardia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignees: Philadelphia Heart Institute, The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, Catholic University of America
    Inventors: Francis E. Marchlinski, David S. Schwartzman, Mark S. Mirotznik, Kenneth R. Foster, Charles D. Gottleb, Isaac Chang