Granted Patent B1

US 6,973,347 · App. 09/979,937 · Granted Dec 6, 2005

Abstract

Claims (81)

1. Apparatus for use during performance of a surgical procedure on a segment of a beating heart, comprising a surgical tool, which comprises:

a mechanical stabilization element, a surface of which is adapted to be applied, during the surgical procedure, to the segment of the heart to reduce motion of the segment; and

one or more electrodes, fixed to the surface of the stabilization element, so as to contact the segment when the stabilization element is applied to the segment.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more electrodes is adapted to apply electrical signals to the segment so as to further reduce the motion thereof, while the heart continues to pump blood.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the one or more electrodes comprise one or more local sense electrodes, wherein the apparatus comprises a control unit, coupled to the local sense electrodes, wherein the local sense electrodes are adapted to convey to the control unit a current responsive to electrical activity of the heart, and wherein the control unit is adapted to modify the electrical signals responsive to the conveyed current.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the at least one of the one or more electrodes is adapted to apply the signals so as to modify contraction of muscle tissue of the heart.

5. Apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the at least one of the one or more electrodes is adapted to apply the signals at a rate greater than about 5 Hz.

6. Apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the at least one of the one or more electrodes includes two electrodes, which are adapted to concurrently apply to the segment respective first and second electric fields at respective first and second frequencies, so as to generate a field in the heart at a beat frequency of the first and second frequencies which reduces the motion of the segment.

7. Apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the at least one of the one or more electrodes is adapted to apply to the segment an electric field having a carrier frequency in excess of about 500 Hz, an amplitude of which electric field is modulated at a modulation frequency, so as to reduce the motion of the segment.

8. Apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the at least one of the one or more electrodes is adapted to apply the electrical signals to the segment so as to substantially stop the motion of the segment, while the heart continues to pump blood.

9. Apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the one or more electrodes comprise one or more fencing electrodes, which are adapted to apply a fencing signal to the heart so as to block propagation of an activation wave into the segment.

10. Apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the one or more electrodes comprise one or more fencing electrodes, which are adapted to apply a fencing signal to the heart so as to reduce a contraction force thereof.

11. Apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the one or more electrodes comprise one or more pacing electrodes, which are adapted to apply a pacing signal to the heart.

12. Apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the one or more electrodes comprise one or more enhancement electrodes, which are adapted to apply an enhancement signal to the heart.

13. Apparatus according to claim 2 , and comprising a transport element, fixed to the stabilization element, which transport element is adapted to convey a fluid between the segment of the heart and the stabilization element, when the stabilization element is applied to the segment.

14. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more electrodes comprise one or more fencing electrodes, which are adapted to apply a fencing signal to the heart so as to block propagation of an activation wave into the segment.

15. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more electrodes comprise one or more fencing electrodes, which are adapted to apply a fencing signal to the heart so as to reduce a contraction force thereof.

16. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more electrodes comprise one or more pacing electrodes, which are adapted to apply a pacing signal to the heart.

17. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more electrodes comprise one or more enhancement electrodes, which are adapted to apply an enhancement signal to the heart.

18. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more electrodes comprise one or more local sense electrodes, which are adapted to sense electrical activity of the heart.

19. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more electrodes comprise at least one carbon electrode.

20. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more electrodes comprise at least one stitch electrode.

21. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more electrodes comprise at least one wire electrode.

22. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more electrodes comprise at least one needle electrode.

23. Apparatus according to claim 1 , and comprising a transport element, fixed to the stabilization element, which transport element is adapted to convey a fluid between the segment of the heart and the stabilization element, when the stabilization element is applied to the segment.

24. A method for use during performance of a surgical procedure on a segment of a beating heart, comprising:

during the surgical procedure, applying a mechanical motion-restraining force to the segment of the heart, using a mechanical stabilization element so as to reduce motion of the segment;

conveying electrical signals between the segment and the element during the surgical procedure; and

terminating the applying of the mechanical motion-restraining force and the conveying of the electrical signals, so as to allow the segment to resume substantially normal motion.

25. A method according to claim 24 , wherein conveying the electrical signals comprises receiving the electrical signals responsive to electrical activity of the heart.

26. A method according to claim 24 , and comprising conveying a fluid between the stabilization element and the segment of the heart.

27. A method according to claim 24 , wherein conveying the electrical signals comprises applying the electrical signals to the segment through the stabilization element.

28. A method according to claim 27 , wherein applying the signals comprises applying bipolar signals.

29. A method according to claim 27 , wherein applying the signals comprises applying unipolar signals.

30. A method according to claim 27 , wherein applying the signals comprises calibrating the signals intermittently during the surgical procedure.

31. A method according to claim 27 , wherein applying the signals comprises:

sensing electrical activity of the heart to detect arrhythmia thereof; and

applying electrical energy to the heart to treat the arrhythmia.

32. A method according to claim 27 , wherein applying the signals comprises:

sensing electrical activity of the heart; and

modifying the application of the electrical signals responsive to the sensed electrical activity.

33. A method according to claim 27 , and comprising sensing motion of the heart, wherein applying the signals comprises modifying a characteristic of at least some of the signals applied to the heart responsive to the sensed motion.

34. A method according to claim 27 , wherein applying the signals comprises applying a fencing signal to the heart to block propagation of an activation wave into the segment of the heart.

35. A method according to claim 27 , wherein applying the signals comprises applying a fencing signal in a vicinity of the segment to reduce a contraction force thereof.

36. A method according to claim 27 , wherein applying the signals comprises applying pulses at a rate greater than about 5 Hz.

37. A method according to claim 27 , wherein applying the electrical signals comprises applying to the segment first and second electric fields at respective first and second frequencies, so as to generate a field in the heart at a beat frequency of the first and second frequencies which reduces the motion of the segment.

38. A method according to claim 27 , wherein applying the electrical signals comprises applying to the segment an electric field having a carrier frequency in excess of about 500 Hz, an amplitude of which electric field is modulated at a modulation frequency, so as to reduce the motion of the segment.

39. A method according to claim 27 , wherein applying the signals comprises applying pulses to the segment.

40. A method according to claim 27 , wherein applying the signals comprises applying an enhancement signal to the segment.

41. A method according to claim 27 , wherein applying the signals comprises applying the signals so as to modify contraction of muscle tissue of the heart.

42. A method according to claim 41 , wherein modifying the contraction comprises inducing contraction of the muscle tissue.

43. A method according to claim 41 , wherein applying the signals comprises:

determining an aspect of the motion of the segment due generally to contraction of muscle tissue outside the segment; and

adjusting the signals responsive to the determined aspect of the segment's motion, so as to reduce the aspect of the segment's motion.

44. A method according to claim 27 , wherein applying the signals comprises applying signals through the stabilization element to a plurality of sites on the segment of the heart.

45. A method according to claim 44 , wherein applying the signals comprises applying a first waveform at a first one of the sites and applying a second waveform, which differs from the first waveform, at a second one of the sites.

46. A method according to claim 45 , wherein applying the first and second waveforms comprises controlling a timing relationship of the waveforms so as to reduce the motion of the segment.

47. A method according to claim 27 , and comprising:

during a preconditioning period, preconditioning a response of the heart by applying a first signal,

wherein applying the signals comprises applying a subsequent signal after the preconditioning period.

48. A method according to claim 27 , wherein applying the signals comprises applying the signals so as to further reduce the motion of the segment, while the heart continues to pump blood.

49. A method according to claim 48 , wherein applying the signals comprises applying the signals so as to substantially stop the motion of the segment, while the heart continues to pump blood.

50. A method according to claim 48 , wherein applying the mechanical motion-restraining force comprises applying the mechanical motion-restraining force after the segment has been at least partially stabilized by applying the signals.

51. A method according to claim 48 , and comprising conveying a fluid between the stabilization element and the segment of the heart.

52. A method according to claim 48 , wherein applying the signals comprises applying a fencing signal to the heart to block propagation of an activation wave into the segment of the heart.

53. A method according to claim 48 , wherein applying the signals comprises applying a fencing signal in a vicinity of the segment to reduce a contraction force thereof.

54. A method according to claim 48 , wherein applying the electrical signals comprises applying to the segment first and second electric fields at respective first and second frequencies, so as to generate a field in the heart at a beat frequency of the first and second frequencies which reduces the motion of the segment.

55. A method according to claim 48 , wherein applying the electrical signals comprises applying to the segment an electric field having a carrier frequency in excess of about 500 Hz, an amplitude of which electric field is modulated at a modulation frequency, so as to reduce the motion of the segment.

56. A method according to claim 48 , wherein applying the signals comprises applying an enhancement signal to the segment.

57. Apparatus for performing a medical procedure on a beating heart, comprising:

a stabilization element, a surface of which is adapted to be applied to a segment of the heart to reduce motion of the segment; and

one or more transport elements, fixed to the stabilization element, which are adapted to convey a fluid between the segment of the heart and the stabilization element, when the stabilization element is applied to the segment.

58. Apparatus according to claim 57 , wherein one of the one or more transport elements is adapted to apply a liquid to the segment of the heart.

59. Apparatus according to claim 57 , wherein one of the one or more transport elements is adapted to apply a gas to the segment of the heart.

60. Apparatus according to claim 57 , wherein one of the one or more transport elements is adapted to apply suction, so as to remove liquid from the surface of the heart.

61. A method for performing a medical procedure on a beating heart, comprising:

applying a stabilization element to a segment of the heart, so as to reduce motion of the segment; and

conveying a fluid between the segment and the element, when the stabilization element is applied to the segment.

62. A method according to claim 61 , wherein conveying the fluid comprises applying a gas to the segment of the heart.

63. A method according to claim 61 , wherein conveying the fluid comprises applying a liquid to the segment of the heart.

64. A method according to claim 61 , wherein conveying the fluid comprises applying suction, so as to remove liquid from the surface of the heart.

Assignments (8)