Methods of using high-voltage catheters for microsecond or 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-12397157-B2
Publication Date
2025-08-26
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 provides methods of treating cardiac tissue by applying and delivering a plurality of microsecond or sub-microsecond electrical pulses having an amplitude greater than 0.1 kV using a catheter inserted into a subject. The catheter includes a first conductive layer extending at least partially down a length of the catheter and a second conductive layer extending coaxial to the first conductive layer. A first ablation electrode at a distal end region is in electrical communication with the first conductive layer, and a second ablation electrode is in electrical communication with the second conductive layer.
A central aspect of the invention is that configuration and spacing between the first and second conductive layers are such that a field generated from the first and the second conductive layers is cancelled to reduce or prevent electromagnetic interference (EMI) arising from the first and second conductive layers at high voltage and short pulse duration. This field cancellation is tied to the coaxial conductive layer arrangement and the electrical communication between each conductive layer and its corresponding distal ablation electrode(s).
In the broader formulation, the method also includes cancelling a field generated from the first and second conductive layers based on configuration and spacing to reduce or prevent EMI arising from the first and second conductive layers at high voltage and short pulse duration, and reducing an electrical loop area between the first and second conductive layers to prevent radiation of energy from the catheter. The same coaxial catheter conductive-layer architecture is used to deliver high-voltage microsecond, nanosecond, or picosecond electrical pulses from distal first and second ablation electrodes.
Claims Coverage
Two independent claims are present, both directed to treating cardiac tissue using a catheter architecture with coaxial first and second conductive layers and delivering high-voltage microsecond/sub-microsecond (including nanosecond/picosecond) pulses through first and second distal ablation electrodes. Both independent claims include EMI reduction by cancelling fields from the coaxial conductive layers, and one independent claim additionally recites reducing electrical loop area to prevent radiation of energy.
Coaxial conductive layers with cancelled field for EMI reduction
Applying a plurality of microsecond or sub-microsecond electrical pulses having an amplitude of greater than 0.1 kV to a catheter inserted into a body through a first conductive layer extending at least partially down a length of the catheter and through a second conductive layer extending coaxial to the first conductive layer; delivering the plurality of electrical pulses to the body from a first ablation electrode at a distal end region in electrical communication with the first conductive layer and a second ablation electrode in electrical communication with the second conductive layer; wherein configuration and spacing between the first and second conductive layers are such that a field generated from the first and the second conductive layers is cancelled to reduce or prevent electromagnetic interference (EMI) arising from the first and second conductive layers at high voltage and short pulse duration.
Coaxial conductive layers with cancelled field and reduced loop area to prevent radiation
Applying a plurality of high-voltage microsecond, nanosecond or picosecond electrical pulses having an amplitude of greater than 0.1 kV to a catheter inserted into a body through a first conductive layer extending at least partially down a length of the catheter and through a second conductive layer extending coaxial to the first conductive layer; delivering the plurality of electrical pulses to the body from a first ablation electrode at a distal end region in electrical communication with the first conductive layer and a second ablation electrode in electrical communication with the second conductive layer; and cancelling a field generated from the first and the second conductive layers based on configuration and spacing between the first and second conductive layers to reduce or prevent electromagnetic interference (EMI) arising from the first and second conductive layers at high voltage and short pulse duration and reducing an electrical loop area between the first and second conductive layers to prevent radiation of energy from the catheter.
The claim set is grounded in delivering high-voltage microsecond/sub-microsecond (including nanosecond/picosecond) pulses from distal first and second ablation electrodes through a catheter having coaxial first and second conductive layers. The key inventive coverage is cancelling fields generated by the coaxial conductive layers to reduce or prevent EMI at high voltage and short pulse duration, with an additional independent-claim feature of reducing electrical loop area to prevent radiation of energy.
Stated Advantages
Reducing or preventing electromagnetic interference (EMI) arising from the first and second conductive layers at high voltage and short pulse duration.
Preventing radiation of energy from the catheter by reducing an electrical loop area between the first and second conductive layers.
Documented Applications
Treating cardiac tissue in a subject using a catheter with first and second coaxial conductive layers delivering high-voltage microsecond/sub-microsecond (including nanosecond/picosecond) electrical pulses to distal ablation electrodes.
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