# US 11,896,282 B2 · Tissue ablation systems and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,896,282 B2 - Document ID: US11896282B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/247,404 - Filed: 2019-01-14 - Published: 2020-07-16 - Granted: 2024-02-13 - Earliest claimed: 2009-11-13 - Assignees: Hermes Innovations LLC - Applicants: Hermes Innovations LLC - Inventors: Akos Toth; Csaba Truckai - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11896282B2 ## CPC - A61B 18/042: {using additional gas becoming plasma} - A61B 18/1206: {Generators therefor} - A61B 18/1477: {Needle-like probes} - A61B 18/1492: {having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation (A61B18/1477 takes precedence)} - A61B 2018/0016: {Energy applicators arranged in a two- or three dimensional array} - A61B 2018/0022: {Balloons} - A61B 2018/00577: {Ablation} - A61B 2018/00589: {Coagulation} - A61B 2018/00702: {Power or energy} - A61B 2018/00791: {Temperature} - A61B 2018/00875: {Resistance or impedance} - A61B 2018/122: {ionizing, with corona} - A61B 2018/143: {multiple needles} - A61B 2018/147: {Electrodes transferring energy by capacitive coupling, i.e. with a dielectricum between electrode and target tissue} - A61B 2018/1497: {Electrodes covering only part of the probe circumference} - A61B 2090/064: {for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract Tissue is treated using a radiofrequency power supply connected to an applicator having a chamber filled with an electrically non-conductive gas surrounded by a thin dielectric wall. A radiofrequency voltage is applied at a level sufficient to ionize the gas into a plasma and to capacitively couple the ionized plasma with the tissue to deliver radiofrequency current to ablate or otherwise treat the tissue. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for applying energy to tissue comprising: a probe having an energy-delivery surface configured for spatiotemporal switching of focal points of energy application about the surface in contact with tissue; a gas-filled chamber interior of the energy-delivery surface; and voltage source configured for creating transitory plasma streamers within the gas-filled chamber to thereby provide spatial and temporal switching of energy coupling to the focal points. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the gas-filled chamber includes a near-atmospheric pressure range gas. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the gas-filled chamber includes a noble gas or mixture of noble gases. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the voltage source is configured to provide a voltage that reduces spatiotemporal chaos. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the voltage source is configured to provide a voltage that eliminates spatiotemporal chaos. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the voltage source is configured to provide a voltage of at least 100 volts. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the energy-delivery surface comprises a dielectric material. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising: a first electrode positioned at an exterior of the energy-delivery surface; and a second electrode positioned within an interior of the gas-filled chamber; and the voltage source is configured to provide a voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode to create the plasma streamers. ### Claim 9 A system for applying energy to tissue, comprising: a probe including a dielectric material defining; a gas-filled Chamber, the dielectric material including an inner surface configured for gas contact with gas within the gas-filled chamber and an outer surface configured for tissue contact, the dielectric material configured for spatiotemporal switching of focal points of energy application; an interior electrode disposed within the gas-filled chamber; an exterior electrode disposed outside of the gas-filled chamber; a voltage source configured to provide a voltage between the interior electrode and the exterior electrode, thereby creating transitory plasma streamers within the gas-filled chamber in order to provide spatial and temporal switching of energy coupling to the focal points; and a controller configured to control the voltage source. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, further comprising a gas inlet and a gas outlet each fluidly coupled with an interior of the gas-filled chamber in order to provide a gas flow through the gas-filled chamber. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the controller is further configured to control the gas flow through the gas-filled chamber. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the controller is further configured to limit spatiotemporal chaos of the plasma streamers. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the controller is further configured to spatiotemporally control the plasma streamers. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the controller is further configured to create a spatiotemporal pattern of plasma streamers. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, Wherein the controller is further configured to control electrostatic lines of flux. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the voltage source is configured to provide a voltage of at least 100 volts. ### Claim 17 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the gas within the gas-filled chamber comprises argon. ### Claim 18 A system for applying energy to tissue, comprising: a gas-filled chamber including an inner surface configured for contact with gas within the gas-filled chamber and an outer surface configured for tissue contact, the gas-filled chamber formed of a dielectric material configured for spatiotemporal switching of focal points of energy application; a first electrode disposed within the gas-filled chamber; a second electrode disposed outside of the gas-filled chamber; and a voltage source configured to provide a voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode, thereby creating transitory plasma streamers within the gas-filled chamber in order to provide spatial and temporal switching of energy coupling to the focal points. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein the voltage source is configured to provide a voltage that reduces spatiotemporal chaos. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein the gas-filled chamber is filled with argon.