System for irreversible electroporation

A method of delivering electroporation energy through an ablation catheter, the method comprising:

• positioning at least one electrode at a target tissue;
• coupling the at least one electrode to a signal generator;
• supplying, by the signal generator, a biphasic pulse, the supplying comprising:
• transmitting a first phase having a first polarity, a first initial voltage amplitude, a first pulse width, and a first ending voltage amplitude;
• and
• transmitting a second phase having a second polarity, a second initial voltage amplitude, a second pulse width, and a second ending voltage amplitude,
• wherein the first initial voltage amplitude differs from the first ending voltage amplitude or the second initial voltage amplitude differs from the second ending voltage amplitude, and
• wherein a first area of the first phase and a second area of the second phase are about equal.

A signal generator for electroporation therapy, the signal generator comprising:

• a voltage supply configured to supply a first voltage direct current (VDC) having a first polarity and a second VDC having a second polarity opposite the first polarity;
• a plurality of semiconductor switches configured to regulate application of the first VDC and the second VDC to a conductor and electrode of an ablation catheter;
• and
• a microcontroller communicatively coupled to the plurality of semiconductor switches and configured to control commutation of the plurality of semiconductor switches to transmit a biphasic pulse through the conductor and electrode, the biphasic pulse comprising:
• a first phase having the first polarity, a first initial voltage amplitude, a first pulse width, and a first ending voltage amplitude;
• and
• a second phase having the second polarity, a second initial voltage amplitude, a second pulse width, and a second ending voltage amplitude, wherein the first initial voltage amplitude differs from the first ending voltage amplitude or the second initial voltage amplitude of differs from the second ending voltage amplitude,
• wherein a first area of the first phase and a second of the second phase are about equal.