Gregory A Kampa

US Patent:

7776034, Aug 17, 2010

Filed:

Jun 15, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/154098

Inventors:

Gregory J. Kampa - Blaine MN, US

Assignee:

St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc. - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

A61B 18/14

US Classification:

606 41

Abstract:

An ablation catheter has a virtual electrode tip including a fluid manifold structure for operably varying the active area of the virtual electrode. An array of apertures in the distal end of the catheter form the virtual electrode structure. A movable plug slides within the fluid manifold and seals against the interior walls of the fluid manifold. Conductive fluid cannot flow past the plug to fill the fluid manifold on the side of the plug opposite a fluid inlet channel into the fluid manifold. An electrode is positioned within the fluid manifold between the plug and the end wall of the fluid manifold adjacent the channel. By moving the plug within fluid manifold, only those portholes between the plug and the inlet channel will emit energized fluid. The effective length of an active ablation section of the virtual electrode is changed by repositioning the plug within the fluid manifold.

US Patent:

8012152, Sep 6, 2011

Filed:

Jul 27, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/180547

Inventors:

Gregory J. Kampa - Blaine MN, US

Assignee:

St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc. - St.Paul MN

International Classification:

A61B 18/14
A61B 5/04

US Classification:

606 41, 600374

Abstract:

Straight and curved catheters for treatment or diagnoses of tissue, including cardiac tissue, using hydrogel virtual electrodes and hydrogel sensing electrodes are disclosed. Each catheter comprises at least one conductive hydrogel electrode, whether a virtual electrode or a sensing electrode. Hydrogel virtual electrodes may be used to deliver ablative energy or chemotherapeutic agents to tissue. Hydrogel sensing electrodes may be used to map various electrical activity of tissue. The ablation catheters include a variety of hydrogel delivery features to deliver the conductive hydrogel electrodes against or adjacent to tissue to be treated. Each hydrogel delivery feature comprises at least one opening in the distal portion of the catheter and may also include a permeable or semi-permeable membrane. The mapping catheters include conductive hydrogel disks (i. e. , conductive hydrogel sensing electrodes) and nonconductive hydrogel disks.

US Patent:

8043288, Oct 25, 2011

Filed:

Dec 28, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/617524

Inventors:

Jeremy D. Dando - Plymouth MN, US
Gregory J. Kampa - Castaic CA, US

Assignee:

St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc. - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

A61B 18/18

US Classification:

606 41

Abstract:

A cardiac ablation catheter system incorporates several different, but complementary features. The catheter includes a virtual electrode section for transferring ablation energy to form a linear lesion in cardiac tissue. The distal tip of the catheter shaft is provided with a tip electrode to perform spot ablations. The distal end of the catheter, generally including the virtual electrode section, may be operably formed into a curve with a variable radius of curvature.

US Patent:

20070005052, Jan 4, 2007

Filed:

Jun 15, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/154104

Inventors:

Gregory Kampa - Blaine MN, US

International Classification:

A61B 18/18

US Classification:

606041000, 604022000, 600374000

Abstract:

Straight and curved catheters for treatment or diagnoses of tissue, including cardiac tissue, using hydrogel virtual electrodes and hydrogel sensing electrodes are disclosed. Each catheter comprises at least one conductive hydrogel electrode, whether a virtual electrode or a sensing electrode. Hydrogel virtual electrodes may be used to deliver ablative energy or chemotherapeutic agents to tissue. Hydrogel sensing electrodes may be used to map various electrical activity of tissue. The ablation catheters include a variety of hydrogel delivery features to deliver the conductive hydrogel electrodes against or adjacent to tissue to be treated. Each hydrogel delivery feature comprises at least one opening in the distal portion of the catheter and may also include a permeable or semi-permeable membrane. The mapping catheters include conductive hydrogel disks (i.e., conductive hydrogel sensing electrodes) and nonconductive hydrogel disks. Methods of treating and diagnosing tissue using hydrogel virtual electrodes and hydrogel sensing electrodes are also disclosed.