Patent classifications
A61B2018/00654
ELECTROPORATION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF ENERGIZING A CATHETER
The present disclosure provides electroporation systems and methods of energizing a catheter for delivering electroporation. A catheter for delivering electroporation includes a distal section and an electrode assembly. The distal section is configured to be positioned in a vein within a body. The vein defines a central axis. The electrode assembly is coupled to the distal section and includes a structure and a plurality of electrodes distributed thereabout. The structure is configured to at least partially contact the vein. Each of the electrodes is configured to be selectively energized to form a circumferential ring of energized electrodes that is concentric with the central axis of the vein.
Method and system for gap detection in ablation lines
Described herein is a method and system for gap detection in ablation lines. Microelectrodes are implemented at a distal tip of a catheter to provide localized gap detection along an ablation line. A pacing protocol is used to sequence through each of the microelectrode pairs for a tissue location. If living tissue is present, the pacing signal travels through the living tissue to pulse the heart. An operator will see a capture signal and know that there is a gap in the ablation line. The ablation electrode is then used to ablate the tissue in the gap. Pacing and ablation are therefore performed at the same place without the need to switch between instruments and/or catheters. In an implementation, a force sensor can automate the pacing protocol by determining which microelectrode pair is contacting the tissue. Moreover, signaling between microelectrode pairs can determine contact between the catheter and the tissue.
ABLATING A REGION OF PATIENT ORGAN USING SELECTED ABLATION ELECTRODES OF AN EXPANDABLE CATHETER
A method includes receiving: (i) a position of a target tissue intended to be ablated in an organ of a patient and having a predefined pattern, and (ii) an energy level of an ablation signal intended to be applied to the target tissue. One or more selected ablation electrodes that, when applying the ablation signal, produce together a lesion having a shape that covers the predefined pattern, are selected in a catheter that is inserted into the organ and has an array of ablation electrodes. In response to verifying that: (i) the one or more selected ablation electrodes are positioned on the target tissue, and (ii) a contact force between the one or more selected ablation electrode and the target tissue is larger than a force threshold, the ablation signal is applied to the target tissue using the one or more selected ablation electrodes.
SURGICAL SYSTEMS CONFIGURED TO COOPERATIVELY CONTROL END EFFECTOR FUNCTION AND APPLICATION OF THERAPEUTIC ENERGY
Disclosed is a surgical system for tissue treatment using therapeutic energy and stapling.
Delivering tumor treating fields (TTFields) using implantable transducer arrays
Tumor treating fields (TTFields) can be delivered by implanting a plurality of sets of implantable electrode elements within a person's body. Temperature sensors positioned to measure the temperature at the electrode elements are also implanted, along with a circuit that collects temperature measurements from the temperature sensors. In some embodiments, an AC voltage generator configured to apply an AC voltage across the plurality of sets of electrode elements is also implanted within the person's body.
LASER COMBINATION WITH IN VIVO TARGET FEEDBACK ANALYSIS
A laser can be controlled based on different tissue compositions, such as in real time. After a first time period, a first composition of a in vivo target site can be identified. Based on the first composition, a plurality of lasers can be controlled to emit light at a first wavelength where controlling includes activating a first combination of the plurality of lasers. After a second time period, a second composition of the in vivo target site different from the first composition can be identified. Based on the second composition, a plurality of lasers can be controlled to emit light at a second wavelength, such as can include activating a second combination of the plurality of lasers. The first combination of the plurality of lasers can be different from the second combination of the plurality of lasers.
Systems and methods for selecting, activating, or selecting and activating transducers
Transducer-based systems can be configured to display a graphical representation of a transducer-based device, the graphical representation including graphical elements corresponding to transducers of the transducer-based device, and also including between graphical elements respectively associated with a set of the transducers and respectively associated with a region of space between the transducers of the transducer-based device. Selection of graphical elements and/or between graphical elements can cause activation of the set of transducers associated with the selected elements. Selection of a plurality of graphical elements and/or between graphical elements can cause visual display of a corresponding activation path in the graphical representation. Visual characteristics of graphical elements and between graphical elements can change based on an activation-status of the corresponding transducers. Activation requests for a set of transducers can be denied if it is determined that a transducer in the set of transducers is unacceptable for activation.
Delivering tumor treating fields (TTFields) using implantable transducer arrays
Tumor treating fields (TTFields) can be delivered by implanting a plurality of sets of implantable electrode elements within a person's body. Temperature sensors positioned to measure the temperature at the electrode elements are also implanted, along with a circuit that collects temperature measurements from the temperature sensors. In some embodiments, an AC voltage generator configured to apply an AC voltage across the plurality of sets of electrode elements is also implanted within the person's body.
Smart multiplexed medical laser system
A system includes a laser catheter and a rotating optical member to receive a laser beam along an optical path and rotate to a selected position to redirect the laser beam from the optical path onto one or more selected optical fibers of a laser catheter, wherein a distal end of the laser catheter irradiates an endovascular structure.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USING A MULTI-PROBE INTEGRATED ELECTROTHERMAL MODULES (ETMS) DEVICE FOR TUMOR ABLATION
Systems and methods for tumor ablation with controlled precision of a temperature profile utilizing a tumor ablation probe device may include disposing a distal end of the tumor ablation probe device in a tissue, the distal end including a plurality of electrothermal modules (ETMs) on probe arm(s), each ETM including a first surface component electrically connected to a second surface component; supplying a first voltage of a first polarity or a second voltage of a second polarity to at least one ETM, and repeatedly alternating between the first polarity and the second polarity based on a time sequence cycle. When the first polarity is supplied, the ETM heats the first surface component and cools the second surface component, and when the second polarity is supplied, the ETM cools the first surface component and heats the second surface component. Each ETM and/or probe arm is configured for independent control.