Patent classifications
A61B2018/124
Optimization of energy delivery for various applications
Pulsed electric fields (PEFs) are transmitted to a body lumen or passageway in a manner which provides focal therapy. In some embodiments, PEFs are delivered through independent electrically active electrodes of an energy delivery body, typically in a monopolar fashion. Such delivery concentrates the electrical energy over a smaller surface area, resulting in stronger effects than delivery through an electrode extending circumferentially around the lumen or passageway. It also forces the electrical energy to be delivered in a staged regional approach, mitigating the effect of preferential current pathways through the surrounding tissue. Focal delivery of PEFs can provide increased tissue lethality by employing precise timing and sequencing of energy delivery to the electrodes.
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.
Electroporation systems and catheters for electroporation systems
The present disclosure provides catheters for electroporation systems. One catheter includes a plurality of catheter electrodes disposed along a portion of a distal end of the electroporation catheter. The plurality of catheter electrodes includes a plurality of first type catheter electrodes adapted for use with an electroporation generator during an electroporation procedure and a plurality of second type catheter electrodes adapted for use with an electroporation generator during an electroporation procedure and for use with a diagnostic subsystem. The plurality of first type catheter electrodes is positioned at a distal end of the electroporation catheter. Each second type catheter electrode is adjacent another second type catheter electrode.
Pulse generator for irreversible electroporation
A medical apparatus includes a probe configured for insertion into a body of a patient. The probe includes a plurality of electrodes configured to contact tissue within the body. The medical apparatus further includes an electrical signal generator configured to apply between one or more pairs of the electrodes signals of first and second types in alternation. The signals of the first type include a sequence of bipolar pulses having an amplitude sufficient to cause irreversible electrophoresis (IRE) in the tissue contacted by the electrodes. The signals of the second type include a radio-frequency (RF) signal having a power sufficient to thermally ablate the tissue contacted by the electrodes.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ACTIVATING TRANSDUCERS
Transducer-based systems and methods may 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. Transducer activation characteristics, such as initiation time, activation duration, activation sequence, and energy delivery characteristics, can vary based on numerous factors. 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.
Plasma skin care device
Disclosed is a plasma skin care device including a handpiece, an ozone decomposition module, and a suction fan. The handpiece has a plasma generator and discharges plasma in a state in which a front end portion of the plasma generator is adjacent to skin. The ozone decomposition module is configured to receive and decompose ozone, which is generated when the plasma is discharged, from the handpiece. The suction fan is configured to draw the ozone generated in the handpiece to the ozone decomposition module by suction pressure.
Control Console And Accessories For RF Nerve Ablation And Methods Of Operating The Same
Electrosurgical systems and methods are provided for RF nerve ablation, wherein a control console has multiple RF amplifiers associated with multiple channels, and multiple DC power supplies each dedicated to a corresponding one of the RF amplifiers. Each of a plurality of power supply relays are coupled between one of the DC power supplies and the dedicated corresponding one of the RF amplifiers. A controller is configured to apply switching signals to control each of the power supply relays to selectively switch on and off connections between the DC power supplies and the dedicated corresponding RF amplifiers. The controller may apply control signals to each RF amplifier sequentially, one at a time, to deliver energy separately and independently to each of the corresponding channels. The controller may be configured to apply the switching signals to self-grounding relays to selectively switch on and off connections between the channels and return relays.
Systems and methods for activating transducers
In some embodiments, a plurality of transducers of a transducer-based device may be selected for activation. A first pair of subsets of the selected transducers may be identified for initial activation, each subset of the first pair being activated with a different phase angle range than the other. No transducer in one subset is sufficiently close to a transducer in the other subset to cause a confluence of ablated tissue regions therebetween. The first pair of subsets may be activated simultaneously or concurrently. Upon activation or a conclusion thereof of the pair of subsets of the selected transducers, one or more subsequent pairs of subsets of the selected transducers may be activated iteratively on a pair-by-pair basis, until all of the selected transducers have achieved desired activation results, according to some embodiments. Each subsequent pair may include the same or similar characteristics as the first pair.
Control console and accessories for RF nerve ablation and methods of operating the same
Electrosurgical systems and methods are provided for RF nerve ablation, wherein a control console is utilized with a passive or active cable accessory connecting to different of electrode attachments, such as monopolar and bipolar self-grounding types. The control console has multiple RF amplifiers that are associated with multiple channels of the control console and that are energized according to control signals non-simultaneously applied by a controller of the control console. The control console stores and processes identification data and usage data relating to cable accessories and electrode attachments that are connected or have been connected to the control console over time. The control console displays a representation of this processed data on a graphical user interface. The control console further provides components and techniques for implementing stimulation and impedance verification/calibration for situations where the stimulation signals or impedance measurement signals are provided by the control console.
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.