Electrode Protection Switching for High-Voltage Ablation Noise Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical devices such as cardiac stimulators and mapping systems are disrupted by large, unbalanced currents and common mode voltages induced during pulsed electric field ablation procedures, leading to system failures and arrhythmia risks.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a protection device with high-speed switches, such as MOSFETs, to actively isolate sensitive electronic components from high voltage exposure during ablation procedures, and using passive filtering to suppress induced currents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high voltage pulses are applied to tissue for pulsed electric field ablation, then ablation effectiveness is improved, but large unbalanced currents and common mode voltages are induced in electrodes and leads, disrupting the operation of cardiac stimulators and other electronic devices
Solution Approach 1:
A protection device is introduced as an intermediary component between the ablation system and electronic devices such as cardiac stimulators. This protection device includes switching circuitry that actively disconnects the electronic devices from the electrode leads during high voltage pulse delivery, thereby preventing induced currents and voltages from disrupting the electronic devices while allowing the ablation procedure to proceed effectively
2Adaptability or versatility
If cardiac stimulators and monitoring devices are used during pulsed electric field ablation, then pacing and monitoring functions are provided, but these devices become exposed to high voltages causing hardware response or safety monitoring disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The protection device operates periodically by synchronizing its switching actions with the ablation pulse delivery. It disconnects electronic devices from leads during the high voltage pulse intervals and reconnects them during intervals between pulses, thereby allowing pacing and monitoring functions to operate normally during safe intervals while protecting against high voltage exposure during ablation pulses
3Reliability
If protection devices with high-speed switches are implemented to isolate electronic components, then disruption of medical equipment is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protection function is extracted as a separate, dedicated device that can be independently controlled and optimized. This modular approach allows the protection device to focus solely on isolation functionality using high-speed switches and switching circuitry, rather than attempting to integrate protection functions into existing ablation or pacing devices, thereby reducing overall system complexity while improving protection effectiveness
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems, devices, and methods for electroporation ablation therapy are disclosed, with a protection device for isolating electronic circuitry, devices, and/or other components from a set of electrodes during a cardiac ablation procedure. A system can include a first set of electrodes disposable near cardiac tissue of a heart and a second set of electrodes disposable in contact with patient anatomy. The system can further include a signal generator configured to generate a pulse waveform, where the signal generator coupled to the first set of electrodes and configured to repeatedly deliver the pulse waveform to the first set of electrodes. The system can further include a protection device configured to selectively couple and decouple an electronic device to the second set of electrodes.