# US 2008/0188846 A1 · Methods and Devices For the Non-Thermal, Electrically-Induced Closure of Blood Vessels > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2008/0188846 A1 - Document ID: US20080188846A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 11/663,672 - Filed: 2005-09-20 - Published: 2008-08-07 - Earliest claimed: 2004-09-24 - Assignees: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University - Inventors: Daniel V. Palanker; Alexander B. Vankov - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080188846A1 ## CPC - A61B 18/14: Probes or electrodes therefor - A61N 1/40: Applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling (microwave apparatus A61N5/00); {Applying radio-frequency signals} - A61P 9/00: Drugs for disorders of the cardiovascular system - A61P 35/00: Antineoplastic agents - A61P 43/00: Drugs for specific purposes, not provided for in groups A61P1/00-A61P41/00 - A61B 2018/00345: {Vascular system} - A61B 2018/00404: {Blood vessels other than those in or around the heart} - A61B 2018/00619: {Welding} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) - A61P: SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS ## Abstract Methods and devices for the non-thermal, electrically-induced temporary or permanent closure of blood vessels. The subject methods and devices employ pulsed electrical energy according to a defined regime to effect controlled occlusion of targeted blood vessels without heating the vessel and with minimal damage to adjacent tissue. The extent of vessel closure, i.e., temporary (vasoconstriction) or permanent (thrombosis), is controlled based on the manipulation of various parameters of the electrical stimulation regime as well as the configuration of the electrodes used to apply the regime. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of causing an occlusion of targeted vessels in a patient, the method comprising: contacting a tissue or skin surface of the patient with an electric probe, wherein the tissue or skin surface is proximate the targeted vessels; and applying electric pulses to the targeted vessels with the electric probe, the pulses each having a duration from about 0.01 μs to about 1 ms for a time period wherein the targeted vessels have achieved a desired extent of occlusion with no thermal damage to the tissue. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the electric pulses are applied at a repetition rate of about 0.01 to about 100 Hz. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the electric pulses are applied in bursts with a pulse frequency within a burst in the range from about 0.1 to about 10 MHz. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein each burst has a duration from about 0.1 μs to about 1 ms. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein at least two bursts of pulses are applied to the targeted vessels with a repetition rate of 0.01 to 100 Hz ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the duration of the treatment is in the range from about 0.1 microsecond to 1 hour. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein an electric field having an intensity from about 1 to about 100 KV/cm results from the applied electric pulses. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the pulses are biphasic. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the targeted vessels are cutaneous or subcutaneous. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the targeted vessels support a solid tumor. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising applying a calcium blocker to the tissue or skin surface prior to applying the electric pulses. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the desired extent of occlusion is reversible vasoconstriction of the targeted vessels. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the desired extent of occlusion is irreversible thrombosis of the targeted vessels. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the electric probe comprises an array of electrodes. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the electrodes are individually activated. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the array of electrodes has a linear configuration. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the array of electrodes has a planar configuration. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the array of electrodes has a concentric configuration. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the array of electrodes comprises active electrodes and the probe further comprises a return electrode positioned remotely from the array of active electrodes. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the probe comprises at least one active electrode and a return electrode positioned remotely from the at least one active electrode, wherein the method further comprises positioning the return electrode a selected distance from said at least one active electrode. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a conductive fluid on the tissue or skin surface. ### Claim 22 A device for causing non-thermal occlusion of targeted vessels in a patient, the device comprising: an electric probe having an electrode assembly configured for contacting a tissue or skin surface proximate the targeted vessels; and a pulse generator electrically coupled to the electric probe and configured to apply electric pulses to the tissue or skin surface to a selected depth beneath the surface, wherein the electric pulses cause the occlusion of the targeted vessels without thermally coagulating the vessels. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The device of claim 22, wherein the electrode assembly comprises an array of active electrodes and a larger return electrode situated remotely from the active electrodes. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The device of claim 23, wherein active electrodes are configured to be activated sequentially. ### Claim 25 (depends on 22) The device of claim 22, wherein the electrode assembly comprises an array of active electrodes surrounded by one or more return electrodes. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The device of claim 25, wherein the active electrodes are configured to be activated simultaneously. ### Claim 27 (depends on 21) A kit comprising: the device of claim 21; and at least one dosage of a calcium blocker configured for topical application. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The kit of claim 27, further comprising: instructions for using the device to selectively constriction one or more targeted blood vessels within a patient.