US 2014/0350541 A1 · CONTROL AND DELIVERY OF ELECTRIC FIELDS VIA AN ELECTRODE ARRAY

Abstract

A method of controlling electric fields created by a plurality of electrodes. The method includes repetitively applying multiple sets of voltages to at least some of a plurality of electrodes over a treatment period to achieve and maintain a target temperature, the at least some of the electrodes being treatment electrodes. The sets of voltages may be in patterns such that a unique current pattern between electrodes is created for each set of voltages, resulting in temperature averaging. The voltage at each electrode may be determined based on a temperature of an adjacent electrode. The voltage at each electrode may also or alternatively be determined based on an estimated voltage at the electrode.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of controlling electric fields created by a plurality of electrodes, comprising:

repetitively applying multiple sets of voltages to at least some of a plurality of electrodes over a treatment period so as to heat a target tissue to a selected temperature or temperature range, the at least some of the electrodes being treatment electrodes, and the multiple sets of voltages including:
a first set of voltages that creates an electric potential difference between at least some adjacent pairs of the treatment electrodes;
and
a second set of voltages that creates an electric potential difference between at least some adjacent pairs of the treatment electrodes for which an electric potential difference was not created while applying the first set of voltages,
wherein the multiple sets of voltages in combination create an electric potential difference between each adjacent pair of treatment electrodes.

2 more elements

A system for selectively generating electric fields, comprising:

a plurality of electrodes;
and
a control unit including a storage medium and a computer processor, the storage medium having executable instructions stored thereon, wherein the computer processor is operable to execute the instructions so as to cause the control unit to perform operations including:
switching between unique electrode patterns so as to heat a target tissue to a selected temperature or temperature range, where each unique electrode pattern includes providing an electrical voltage to at least some of the electrodes, the at least some electrodes being treatment electrodes, and the electrical voltage being provided so as to generate a current flow between adjacent pairs of the treatment electrodes;
and
applying a feedback control loop controlling the electrical voltage provided to the treatment electrodes based at least in part on one or more of:
a temperature difference for a treatment electrode based on a temperature of an adjacent treatment electrode;
and
an estimate of a voltage at a treatment electrode provided by one or more other treatment electrodes.

6 more elements

A control unit for controlling electric fields created by a plurality of electrodes, the control unit including a storage medium and a computer processor, the storage medium having executable instructions stored thereon, wherein the computer processor is operable to execute the instructions so as to cause the control unit to perform operations including:

applying a feedback control loop controlling an electrical voltage provided to at least some of a plurality of electrodes so as to heat a target tissue to a selected temperature or temperature range, the at least some electrodes being treatment electrodes, wherein applying a feedback control loop includes, for each treatment electrode:
adjusting a voltage applied to the electrode based at least in part on one or more of:
a temperature difference for the electrode based on a temperature of an adjacent electrode;
and
an estimate of a voltage at the electrode provided by one or more other electrodes.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Control and delivery of electric fields via an electrode array

Life of this patent

Control and delivery of electric fields via an electrode array

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20