Burst mode operation of intravascular lithotripsy (IVL)

A catheter system comprising:

• a catheter including an electrode pair configured to produce cavitation waves;
• an energy source;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• operate the energy source in a first mode, wherein operating the energy source in the first mode includes:
• applying, by the energy source, a first packet of energy to the electrode pair, the first packet of energy including consecutive sub-pulses having a first peak power and separated by a first duration;
• and
• applying, by the energy source, a second packet of energy to the electrode pair based on the energy source so that the first packet of energy and the second packet of energy are separated by a second duration longer than the first duration, the second packet of energy including consecutive sub-pulses having a second peak power and separated by the first duration;
• and
• operating the energy source in a second mode, wherein operating the energy source in the second mode includes:
• applying, by the energy source, a series of pulses to the electrode pair so that consecutive pulses in the series of pulses are separated by a third duration longer than the first duration, each of the pulses in the series of pulses having a third peak power lower than the first peak power and the second peak power.

A controller for a catheter system comprising:

• one or more processors;
• and
• a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the controller to:
• operate an energy source in a first mode, wherein operating the energy source in the first mode includes:
• applying, by the energy source, a first packet of energy to an electrode pair configured to produce cavitation waves within a catheter, the first packet of energy including consecutive sub-pulses having a first peak power and separated by a first duration;
• and
• applying, by the energy source, a second packet of energy to the electrode pair so that the first packet of energy and the second packet of energy are separated by a second duration longer than the first duration, the second packet of energy including consecutive sub-pulses having a second peak power and separated by the first duration;
• and
• operating the energy source in a second mode, wherein operating the energy source in the second mode includes:
• applying, by the energy source, a series of pulses to the electrode pair so that consecutive pulses in the series of pulses are separated by a third duration longer than the first duration, each of the pulses in the series of pulses having a third peak power lower than the first peak power and the second peak power.