Variable phase generation and detection for radio-frequency (RF) ablation

A Radio Frequency (RF) ablation system, comprising:

• a signal generator disposed in a control unit outside a patient body, the signal generator configured to generate an RF signal having a given frequency;
• control circuitry, configured to set phases and amplitudes of a plurality of replicas of the RF signal generated by the signal generator;
• a plurality of non-linear amplifiers, configured to amplify the plurality of replicas of the RF signal, and to drive a respective plurality of ablation electrodes in a patient body with the amplified replicas, wherein each of the plurality of non-linear amplifiers is coupled to each of the plurality of ablation electrodes by wiring passing from the control unit outside the patient body to a catheter disposed inside the patient body;
• and
• a processor, configured to receive a return signal, comprising a superposition of the replicas sensed by a patch electrode attached to the patient body, and to adaptively adjust the phases and amplitudes of the replicas in response to the return signal, by controlling the control circuitry, wherein the control circuitry is configured to maintain one or more crosstalk currents, which flow through the patient body between the ablation electrodes, within given limits by comparing the crosstalk currents values with specified limits such that if the crosstalk currents values are within predefined limits, then the amplitudes and phases are maintained else if one or more of the crosstalk currents exceed limits, then the processor recalculates the amplitudes and phases.