# US 12,004,802 B2 · Devices, systems, and methods for controlled volume ablation

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- Number: US 12,004,802 B2
- Document ID: US12004802B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/984,779
- Filed: 2020-08-04
- Published: 2021-02-11
- Granted: 2024-06-11
- Earliest claimed: 2019-08-05
- Assignees: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
- Applicants: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
- Inventors: Serena Scott; Mingxiang Xu; Hong Cao; Carolina Villarreal; Christopher Watson
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12004802B2

## CPC

- A61B 18/1492: {having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation (A61B18/1477 takes precedence)}
- A61B 2018/00011: {with fluids}
- A61B 2018/00083: {low, i.e. electrically insulating}
- A61B 2018/0016: {Energy applicators arranged in a two- or three dimensional array}
- A61B 2018/00196: {reciprocating lengthwise}
- A61B 2018/00214: {Expandable means emitting energy, e.g. by elements carried thereon}
- A61B 2018/0022: {Balloons}
- A61B 2018/00577: {Ablation}
- A61B 2018/00613: {Irreversible electroporation}
- A61B 2018/00702: {Power or energy}
- A61B 2018/00791: {Temperature}
- A61B 2018/124: {switching the output to different electrodes, e.g. sequentially}
- A61B 2018/126: {bipolar}
- A61B 2018/1435: {Spiral}
- A61B 2018/1467: {using more than two electrodes on a single probe}
- A61B 2018/1497: {Electrodes covering only part of the probe circumference}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical devices. In particular, the present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods for controlled volume ablation of tissue. In one example, a catheter may include an elongated member having a distal end extending along a longitudinal axis. A first electrode may extend along the elongated member. The first electrode may have a distal portion arranged on a circumferential surface about the longitudinal axis at the distal end. A second electrode may extend along the elongated member. The second electrode may have a distal portion arranged on the circumferential surface about the longitudinal axis at the distal end of the elongated member. A sheath may be slidably disposed about the elongated member. The sheath may be configured to change position by sliding along the member to insulate a portion of one or both of the first and second electrode.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A catheter for controlled volume ablation, comprising:
an elongated member having a distal end and extending along a longitudinal axis;
a first electrode extending along the elongated member, the first electrode having a plurality of distal portions each arranged as a circumferential band on a circumferential surface about the longitudinal axis on the distal end of the elongated member;
a second electrode extending along the elongated member, the second electrode having a plurality of distal portions each arranged as a circumferential band on the circumferential surface about the longitudinal axis at the distal end of the elongated member such that the portions of the second electrode alternate with the portions of the first electrode along the longitudinal axis, the first and second electrodes creating a first ablation volume when activated while exposed to surrounding tissue; and
a sheath slidably disposed about the elongated member, the sheath configured to change position by sliding along the member to, during an ablation procedure, insulate a portion of the first electrode and a portion of the second electrode from a surrounding tissue while selectively exposing a portion of the first electrode and a portion of the second electrode to the surrounding tissue, the exposed portions of the first and second electrodes creating a second ablation volume when activated that is less than the first ablation volume.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the first electrode has a proximal portion that extends along a surface of the elongated member to the distal portion of the first electrode and the second electrode has a proximal portion that extends along the surface of the elongated member to the distal portion of the second electrode.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the distal portion of the second electrode is adjacent the distal portion of the first electrode.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the elongated member comprises an expandable member.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, further comprising a thermal sensor disposed on the distal end of the elongated member and configured to provide feedback for controlling a supply of energy to the first and second electrodes to maintain a desired temperature.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, further comprising a lumen extending through the elongated member and in fluid communication with an aperture at the distal end of the catheter.

### Claim 7

A method for controlled volume ablation, comprising:
deploying a catheter for an ablation procedure, the catheter comprising:
an elongated member having a distal end and extending along a longitudinal axis,
a sheath, and
first and second electrodes extending along the elongated member, each of the first and second electrodes having a plurality of circumferential bands on the distal end of the elongated member, the bands of the first electrode alternating with the bands of the second electrode along the longitudinal axis, the first and second electrodes creating a first ablation volume when activated while exposed to surrounding tissue;
delivering the distal end of the elongated member of the catheter to a target tissue;
activating the first and second electrodes;
during the ablation procedure, adjusting the ablation volume by moving the sheath to selectively expose a portion of the activated first and second electrodes to the target tissue, creating a second ablation volume that is less than the first ablation volume; and
delivering energy from the exposed portion of the activated electrodes to the target tissue.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein adjusting the ablation volume further comprises proximally retracting the sheath along the member and from about the exposed portion of the activated first and second electrodes.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, further comprising expanding a length of an expandable member at the distal end of the elongated member into contact with the target tissue, the length of the expandable member substantially matching the second ablation volume for the target tissue.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, further comprising performing radio frequency ablation or irreversible electroporation.