Pulse generator with independent panel triggering

Inventors

Athos, Brian G. • Xiao, Shu • Danitz, David J. • Kreis, Mark P. • Uecker, Darrin R.

Assignees

Pulse Biosciences Inc

Abstract

A pulse generation system is disclosed. The pulse generation system includes a controller, an output terminal, and a plurality of pulse generator circuits. The controller is configured to cause a driving signal pulse to be transmitted to any selected one or more of the pulse generator circuits, and to cause the driving signal pulse to not be transmitted to any selected one or more other pulse generator circuits. Each of the pulse generator circuits is configured to generate an output voltage pulse at the output terminal in response to the driving signal pulse being transmitted thereto.

Core Innovation

The invention relates to an nsPEF pulse generation system that delivers a single combined output voltage pulse to a subject. A driving signal pulse is transmitted to any selected one or more of a plurality of pulse generator circuits, while at least one of the plurality of pulse generator circuits does not receive the driving signal pulse.

Each selected pulse generator circuit generates at least a portion of an output voltage pulse in response, and only the selected circuits generate portions that are combined into the single output voltage pulse at an output terminal. The system architecture enables independent triggering and disabling of selected and unselected pulse generator circuits so that unselected circuits do not generate any portion of the single output voltage pulse.

The disclosure describes pulse generator stages and a multi-stage Marx-switch stack style pulse generation approach, together with controller/driver/switch switching concepts for directing the driving signal pulse to selected circuits. Parallel panel configurations are described, including isolation using diode-like isolation elements to control which generator portions contribute to the output pulse.

The disclosure further describes feedback sensing and control for nsPEF treatment system operation, including current/voltage indication and optional thermal sensing for pulse parameter control. Operating methods are described using self-test and fault isolation so that corrective action can be taken based on operational status, and selection of which generator portions to use can be based on load impedance and/or operational determination thresholds. The nsPEF context is described for cancer therapy, including apoptosis and immunogenic apoptosis, and electrodes including suction needle/pole and multi-terminal electrode arrangements.

Claims Coverage

The document contains two independent method claims. Both claims share the central inventive concept of selectively transmitting a driving signal pulse to only selected pulse generator circuits so that only selected circuits generate portions of a single combined output voltage pulse at an output terminal, while unselected circuits generate no portion of that output pulse. Each independent claim further defines how the combined pulse is delivered to a subject or to a load via an electrode with a plurality of electrode terminals, respectively.

Overall, the independent claims cover selectively driving subsets of pulse generator circuits such that only selected circuits generate portions of a single combined output voltage pulse at an output terminal, with explicit exclusion of unselected circuits from contributing any portion. The claims then direct delivery of the combined pulse either to a subject or to a load via an electrode having a plurality of electrode terminals.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications

No documented applications found