US 11,937,821 B1
Systems and methods for catheter feedback and control for AV fistula creation
Gene B. Reu, San Clemente, CA (US); Brad M. Kellerman, Escondido, CA (US); Mark A. Ritchart, Dana Point, CA (US); David K. Wrolstad, Fallbrook, CA (US); David T. Aldridge, Laguna Hills, CA (US); and Justin K. Mann, Lake Elsinore, CA (US)
Assigned to AVENU MEDICAL, INC., San Juan Capistrano, CA (US)
Filed by Avenu Medical, Inc., San Juan Capistrano, CA (US)
Filed on May 16, 2018, as Appl. No. 15/981,823.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/507,629, filed on May 17, 2017.
Int. Cl. A61B 17/11 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 17/34 (2006.01); A61B 18/14 (2006.01); A61M 1/36 (2006.01); A61M 25/01 (2006.01); A61M 25/04 (2006.01); A61M 25/06 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/11 (2013.01) [A61B 17/3403 (2013.01); A61B 18/1492 (2013.01); A61M 1/3623 (2022.05); A61M 1/3655 (2013.01); A61M 25/0194 (2013.01); A61M 25/065 (2013.01); A61B 17/00234 (2013.01); A61B 2017/1107 (2013.01); A61B 2017/1139 (2013.01); A61B 2017/3454 (2013.01); A61B 2018/1425 (2013.01); A61M 2025/0197 (2013.01); A61M 25/04 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of producing a fistula, comprising:
receiving a calibration parameter associated with at least one of a catheter assembly or a heating element coupled to a first tissue contact surface of the catheter assembly, the catheter assembly including a second tissue contact surface;
selecting, within a control module implemented in at least one of a memory or a processing device and based on the calibration parameter, a control setting associated with the heating element;
sending, from the control module, a first signal to the heating element, the first signal associated with a first temperature set point;
changing, within the control module and based on the control setting and a temperature feedback signal, the first signal;
receiving a gap feedback signal associated with a distance between the first tissue contact surface and the second tissue contact surface; and
sending, from the control module and in response to the gap feedback signal, a second signal to the heating element, the second signal associated with a second temperature set point;
wherein the second signal is a removal pulse that is configured to be initiated when the gap feedback signal indicates that the fistula has been created, the removal pulse comprising a pulse application that is sent in response to a gap distance check if the gap distance is less than a predetermined amount.