Universal handpiece for electrical treatment applicator

Inventors

Hinman, Cameron D. • Moss, Kevin L. • JOE, Wesley C. • ROBINO, Peter H.

Assignees

Pulse Biosciences Inc

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses (e.g., devices, instruments and systems, including applicator handles for use with pulse generators) for automatically and/or mechanically setting impedance matching for connecting the applicator handle with different electrode tips. These methods and apparatuses may be useful for applying therapeutic energy, including but not limited to short, high field strength electric pulses, while avoiding the risk of arcing or otherwise harming the tissue.

Core Innovation

The invention describes a universal electrical treatment applicator handle for high voltage pulsing that includes a plurality of impedance matching circuits and an impedance matching selector. The handle uses a plurality of handle electrical connectors that engage with a plurality of electrode tip electrical connectors on a removable electrode tip so that a plurality of electrodes on the electrode tip are placed in electrical communication with a pulse generator. The impedance matching selector selectively couples the electrode tip electrical connectors with one or more of the impedance matching circuits based on an encoding shape connection with the electrode tip.

The impedance matching selector comprises internal electrical contacts that include high-current/high power contacts separated from another set of internal electrical contacts by a minimum clearance distance that avoids arcing. The first set of internal electrical contacts is configured to couple with the second set of internal contacts to engage one or more of the impedance matching circuits when the encoding shape connects with the electrode tip.

An applicator is also described with a removable electrode tip having a plurality of electrodes and at least one electrode tip electrical connector in communication with the plurality of electrodes. The applicator includes the plurality of impedance matching circuits and a handle with handle electrical connectors engaging the electrode tip electrical connector so the removable electrode tip electrodes are in electrical communication with the pulse generator. The impedance matching selector selectively couples the electrode tip electrical connector with one or more of the impedance matching circuits based on the encoding shape connection, while using the internal contact sets separated by the minimum clearance distance that avoids arcing.

Claims Coverage

The independent claims cover three main inventive features: an encoding shape connection that drives selective impedance matching, an impedance matching selector with internal high-current/high power contacts separated by a minimum clearance distance that avoids arcing, and a handle-and-tip connector arrangement that places the electrodes in electrical communication with a pulse generator. One claim also includes a pulse generator configured to deliver microsecond or sub-microsecond pulses at 1 kV or greater.

Overall, the independent claims consistently require an encoding-shape connection that drives a selector to selectively engage one or more impedance matching circuits, together with an impedance matching selector that uses internal high-current/high power contacts separated by a minimum clearance distance that avoids arcing. In the system claim, this selector-based applicator configuration is combined with a pulse generator delivering microsecond or sub-microsecond pulses at 1 kV or greater and a removable multi-electrode tip connected through the handle and connectors to the pulse generator.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications