Selective Electrode Catheter Pulsing for Rapid Tissue Ablation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electroporation methods lack specificity in electrode selection for selective and rapid tissue ablation, necessitating improved energy delivery and pulse control for various tissue types, particularly in cardiac arrhythmia treatment.
Innovation Solution
A catheter system with a voltage pulse generator and electrode controller that selectively applies DC voltage to a subset of electrodes, using a selection module to identify anode and cathode pairs, and delivers pulsed voltage waveforms for irreversible electroporation, with features like biphasic waveforms and sequential electrode updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If pulsed DC voltages are applied to tissue to generate electroporation, then cell membrane disruption and tissue ablation are achieved, but specificity in electrode selection and control for selective ablation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode array is divided into multiple independently controllable segments or groups. The controller can selectively activate specific electrode pairs (anode-cathode combinations) to deliver pulsed DC voltages to targeted tissue regions only, while leaving other areas unaffected. This segmentation enables precise spatial control over where electroporation occurs, solving the selectivity problem without requiring complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic control of electrode polarity assignment and pulse delivery timing. The controller can dynamically switch which electrodes serve as anodes or cathodes and adjust pulse parameters (amplitude, duration, frequency) based on real-time feedback or pre-programmed protocols. This dynamic adaptability allows optimization of ablation patterns for different tissue types and clinical scenarios, enhancing selectivity while maintaining manageable system complexity through software-based control.
2Productivity
If high voltage pulses are delivered to achieve rapid electroporation, then treatment time is reduced, but control precision and energy delivery accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system delivers electroporation therapy through periodic pulsed DC voltages rather than continuous high voltage. Multiple short-duration pulses are delivered in sequences with controlled intervals, allowing cumulative electroporation effect to build up rapidly while maintaining precise control over each individual pulse. The periodic nature enables synchronization with cardiac cycles or other physiological rhythms, ensuring accurate timing and energy delivery even at high treatment speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor delivered pulse parameters, tissue impedance changes, and electroporation progression in real-time. This feedback allows dynamic adjustment of subsequent pulse characteristics (amplitude, duration, inter-pulse intervals) to maintain optimal electroporation conditions. The closed-loop control ensures that even when delivering high-voltage pulses for rapid ablation, the system maintains precise control over energy deposition and can adapt to varying tissue properties, preventing loss of control precision.
Data Source
AI summary
Catheter systems and methods for the selective and rapid application of DC voltage to drive irreversible electroporation are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a voltage pulse generator and an electrode controller. The voltage pulse generator is configured to produce a pulsed voltage waveform. The electrode controller is configured to be operably coupled to the voltage pulse generator and a medical device including a series of electrodes. The electrode controller includes a selection module and a pulse delivery module. The selection module is configured to select a subset of electrodes from the series of electrodes. The selection module is configured identify at least one electrode as an anode and at least one electrode as a cathode. The pulse delivery module is configured to deliver an output signal associated with the pulsed voltage waveform to the subset of electrodes.