High-voltage catheters for sub-microsecond pulsing
Inventors
Danitz, David J. • Moss, Kevin L. • JOE, Wesley C. • Foster, Christopher J. • Boseck, Gary L. • SOTO-SIDA, Xitlalic Y. • MASTON, Robert • Lunsford, John P.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11571569-B2
Publication Date
2023-02-07
Expiration Date
Abstract
Flexible catheters adapted to be inserted into a body to deliver high-voltage, fast (e.g., microsecond, sub-microsecond, nanosecond, picosecond, etc.) electrical energy to target tissue may include a plurality of conductive layers, that may be coaxial. These catheters and method of using them to treat tissue are configured to reduce or avoid arcing.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a catheter apparatus for treating tissue using an elongate body with first and second conductive layers arranged coaxially and enclosed by a flexible electrically insulating material. The first conductive layer is formed from a first plurality of braided or woven filaments, and the second conductive layer extends coaxial to the first conductive layer. First and second electrodes are provided at a distal end region of the elongate body in electrical communication with the respective conductive layers.
A central aspect of the invention is that the first and second conductive layers are configured to prevent electromagnetic interference (EMI) arising from the layers at high voltages and rapid pulse rates. The apparatus includes a high-voltage connector adapted to couple the first and second conductive layers to a pulse generator. This configuration links the distal electrode arrangement with a high-voltage coupling arrangement intended to support tissue treatment while controlling EMI.
The invention also includes a system for treating tissue that incorporates the catheter and a pulse generator. The system recites electrical pulses having amplitude of at least 0.1 kV and a duration of less than 1000 nanoseconds. The catheter’s flexible insulating material is defined to have a dielectric strength sufficient to withstand 1 kV or more, and the high-voltage connector is configured to connect to the pulse generator through a port while coupling the conductive layers.
Claims Coverage
The document provides two independent claims. Across the independent claims, the core inventive coverage is centered on a catheter architecture with coaxial braided or woven conductive layers enclosed in flexible insulation to prevent EMI at high-voltage rapid pulse rates, plus system-level pulse generation and high-voltage connector coupling with defined pulse and insulation parameters.
Coaxial braided or woven conductive layers enclosed by flexible insulating material
An elongate body including a first conductive layer formed from a first plurality of braided or woven filaments extending down at least a portion of a length of the elongate body; a second conductive layer extending coaxial to the first conductive layer; wherein the first and second conductive layers are enclosed by a flexible electrically insulating material.
Distal electrodes in electrical communication with the coaxial conductive layers
A first electrode at a distal end region in electrical communication with the first conductive layer and a second electrode at the distal end region in electrical communication with the second conductive layer.
EMI prevention at high voltages and rapid pulse rates
The first and second conductive layers are configured to prevent electromagnetic interference (EMI) arising from the layers at high voltages and rapid pulse rates.
High-voltage connector adapted to couple conductive layers to a pulse generator
A high-voltage connector adapted to couple the first and second conductive layers to a pulse generator.
Pulse generator with amplitude and duration constraints
A pulse generator configured to generate a plurality of electrical pulses having amplitude of at least 0.1 kV and a duration of less than 1000 nanoseconds.
Flexible insulation dielectric strength sufficient to withstand at least 1 kV
Flexible insulating material having a dielectric strength sufficient to withstand 1 kV or more.
High-voltage connector connects to the pulse generator through a port
A high-voltage connector configured to connect to the pulse generator through a port, the high-voltage connector adapted to couple the first and second conductive layers to the pulse generator.
Overall, the independent-claim coverage is directed to the combination of coaxial conductive layers using braided or woven filaments enclosed by flexible insulating material, distal first and second electrodes coupled to the respective conductive layers, EMI prevention at high voltages and rapid pulse rates, and a tissue-treatment system with pulse generator timing/amplitude constraints and a high-voltage connector that couples the catheter conductive layers to the pulse generator via a port.
Stated Advantages
Prevents electromagnetic interference (EMI) arising from the layers at high voltages and rapid pulse rates.
Documented Applications
Treating tissue using a catheter apparatus and a system including a pulse generator and a high-voltage connector.
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