High-voltage pulse ablation systems and methods
AssigneeAtriCure, Inc.
InventorDavid K. Swanson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
High-voltage pulses ablation systems and methods are used to ablate tissue and form lesions. A variety of different electrophysiology devices, such as catheters, surgical probes, and clamps, may be used to position one or more electrodes at a target location. Electrodes can be connected to power supply lines and, in some instances, the power to the electrodes can be controlled on an electrode-by-electrode basis. High-voltage pulse sequences provide a total amount of heating that is typically less than that which is observed with thermally-based radiofrequency energy ablation protocols.
Claims11
A method of administering an ablation treatment to a patient's skin, the method comprising:
- placing a return pad at a location on the patient's skin;
- placing an ablation assembly at a patient target tissue having a tissue thickness, the ablation assembly comprising a first electrode mechanism and a second electrode mechanism, wherein the first electrode mechanism and the second electrode mechanism are spaced linearly along the ablation assembly, wherein the first electrode mechanism and the second electrode mechanism each comprise one or more coagulation electrodes and one or more stimulation electrodes;
- applying a high voltage pulse regimen to the tissue between the first electrode mechanism and the second electrode mechanism with the ablation assembly, wherein the pulse regimen comprises a plurality of 1000-2000 volt pulses each having a duration of between about 0.02 msec and about 0.1 msec, and wherein the pulses are delivered by the stimulation electrodes at a frequency comprising a pulse number within a range from about 5 to about 50 pulses discharged over a time interval within a range from about 1 to about 60 seconds;
- and
- creating a lesion within the patient target tissue, the lesion having a width of about twice of the tissue thickness.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.