Protection Device for Isolating Electronics from High Voltage Pulses

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Solution Overview

Problem

High voltage pulses during pulsed electric field ablation procedures induce large, unbalanced currents and common mode voltages in cardiac stimulators and other electronic devices, disrupting their operation and posing a risk of system failure.

Innovation Solution

Implementing actively driven rapid switching of signal paths using protection devices, such as high-speed switches and MOSFETs, to electrically isolate sensitive electronics from high voltage exposure during ablation procedures, and re-establish connections during safe intervals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high voltage pulses are delivered to ablate cardiac tissue, then ablation effectiveness is improved, but electronic devices experience induced currents and voltages causing disruption and potential failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveablation effectivenessVSAvoidinduced currents and voltages in electronic devices

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an isolation component as an intermediary element positioned between the high voltage ablation circuit and the electronic device. This isolation component acts as a mediator that blocks the transmission of harmful induced currents and voltages from the ablation circuit to the electronic device, while allowing the electronic device to continue functioning. The isolation component effectively decouples the two systems during ablation pulses, preventing the harmful electrical interference that would otherwise disrupt the electronic device operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If electronic devices remain connected during ablation, then continuous monitoring and pacing functions are maintained, but device disruption occurs due to high voltage exposure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous monitoring and pacing functionsVSAvoiddevice operation stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The isolation component is configured to periodically switch between connected and isolated states in synchronization with the ablation pulse delivery. During non-ablation intervals, the isolation component maintains electrical connection to allow continuous monitoring and pacing functions. During ablation pulse delivery, the isolation component switches to isolated state to protect against high voltage exposure. This periodic switching enables the system to alternate between operational connectivity and protective disconnection, maintaining overall system reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If isolation components are added to protect electronic devices, then device protection is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectronic device protectionVSAvoidsystem configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the protection function from the main electronic device and implements it as a separate, dedicated isolation component. This isolation component is specifically designed to handle the high voltage isolation requirements, allowing the main electronic device to remain relatively simple while gaining enhanced protection capabilities. By separating the isolation function into its own component, the system achieves better protection without significantly complicating the core electronic device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Effectively suppresses induced currents and voltages, protecting cardiac stimulators and other electronic components from disruption and failure, ensuring reliable operation during pulsed electric field ablation.

Implementation Method 1

A protection device may be configured to selectively couple and decouple an electronic device to the second set of the electrodes. A control element (e.g., processor, switch, control signal) may be coupled to the protection device and configured to control the protection device to decouple the electronic device from the second set of electrodes during intervals of time beginning before and ending after each delivery of the pulse waveform

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical isolation:

Data Source

PatentEP4717301A2Systems and apparatuses for protecting electronic components from high power noise induced by high voltage pulses

Publication Date: 2026.04.01 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC

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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.