Patent ID: 6666863
Filing Date: 2003-12-23
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A system for performing percutaneous myocardial revascularization on a patient's heart, comprising:a first electrode that is to be positioned adjacent to a heart wall; a second electrode that collects an ablation current transmitted from the first electrode; an ablation current source for providing an ablation current; the ablation current source having a first output coupled to the first electrode and a second output coupled to the second electrode; the ablation current source having an enabled state in which an ablation current is passed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a disabled state in which the passage of an ablation current is prevented from passing between the first electrode and the second electrode; sensing means coupled to the first electrode and the second electrode for sensing a physiological signal induced between the first electrode and the second electrode; and an ablation controller coupled to the ablation current source for providing an enable signal to the ablation current source, such that the ablation current source is only enabled during a less vulnerable portion of the heart's cardiac cycle.