Apparatus and method for creating, maintaining, and controlling a virtual electrode used for the ablation of tissue Number:7,169,144 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) owispatent

Title: Apparatus and method for creating, maintaining, and controlling a virtual electrode used for the ablation of tissue

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for producing a virtual electrode within or upon a tissue to be treated with radio frequency alternating electric current, such tissues including but not limited to liver, lung, cardiac, prostate, breast, and vascular tissues and neoplasms. An apparatus in accord with the present invention includes a supply of a conductive or electrolytic fluid to be provided to the patient, an alternating current generator, and a processor for creating, maintaining, and controlling the ablation process by the interstitial or surficial delivery of the fluid to a tissue and the delivery of electric power to the tissue via the virtual electrode. A method in accord with the present invention includes delivering a conductive fluid to a predetermined tissue ablation site for a predetermined time period, applying a predetermined power level of radio frequency current to the tissue, monitoring at least one of several parameters, and adjusting either the applied power and/or the fluid flow in response to the measured parameters.

Patent Number: 7,169,144 Issued on 01/30/2007 to Hoey,   et al.

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Inventors:	Hoey; Michael F. (Shoreview, MN), Christopherson; Mark A. (Shoreview, MN), Goetz; Steven M. (Brooklyn Center, MN)
Assignee:	Medtronic, Inc. (Minneapolis, MN)
Appl. No.:	10/699,548
Filed:	October 31, 2003

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Related U.S. Patent Documents

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	Application Number	Filing Date	Patent Number	Issue Date
	09903296	May., 2004	6736810
	09347635	Jun., 2002	6409722
	60091959	Jul., 1998

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Current U.S. Class:	606/34 ; 606/41
Current International Class:	A61B 18/18 (20060101)
Field of Search:	606/1,32-34,41,45-50 607/101,102 600/424

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References Cited [Referenced By]

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