US 2012/0059255 A1 · CATHETER SYSTEMS

Abstract

Catheter systems include direction-sensitive, multi-polar tip electrode assemblies for electroporation-mediated therapy, electroporation-induced primary necrosis therapy and electric field-induced apoptosis therapy, including configurations for producing narrow, linear lesions as well as distributed, wide area lesions. A monitoring system for electroporation therapy includes a mechanism for delivering electrochromic dyes to a tissue site as well as a fiber optic arrangement to optically monitor the progress of the therapy as well as to confirm success post-therapy. A fiber optic temperature sensing electrode catheter includes a tip electrode having a cavity whose inner surface is impregnated or coated with thermochromic/thermotropic material that changes color with changes in temperature. An optic fiber/detector arrangement monitors the thermochromic or thermotropic materials, acquiring a light signal and generating an output signal indicative of the spectrum of the light signal. An analyzer determines an electrode temperature based on the detector output and predetermined spectrum versus temperature calibration data.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An electroporation therapy system, comprising:

a device having proximal and distal ends;
an electrode assembly comprising a plurality of electrically isolated electrode elements disposed at said distal end of said device;
a detector coupled to said elements configured to identify which elements have a conduction characteristic indicative of contact with tissue;
and
an electroporation generator configured to energize said identified electrode elements in accordance with an electroporation energization strategy.

2 more elements

A system for optically monitoring electroporation therapy at a tissue site, comprising:

a light source configured to generate a first light signal;
an optical detector configured to detect a second light signal and produce a corresponding output signal;
a catheter having proximal and distal ends, said catheter including first and second optic fibers extending between said proximal and distal ends, said first optic fiber being configured to transmit said first light signal to said distal end for projection toward said tissue site, said second optic fiber being configured to acquire said second light signal observed at said tissue site and transmit said second light signal to said optical detector;
a light analyzer configured to
(i) assess said indicative signal at a first time after an electrochromic dye has been introduced to said tissue site but before an electroporation electric field has been applied thereto in order to establish a first, baseline optical characteristic of said received second light signal;
(ii) monitor said detector output signal at a second time after said electroporation electric field has been applied in accordance with an electroporation strategy to establish a second optical characteristic;
(iii) monitor said detector output signal at a third time after said electric field has been discontinued to establish a third optical characteristic;
and
(iv) generate a first indication when said third optical characteristic has an intensity that is reduced relative to that of said first baseline optical characteristic by at least a predetermined amount representing an effective electroporation therapy.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Catheter systems

Life of this patent

Catheter systems

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20