Devices, systems, and methods for monitoring and/or controlling deployment of a neuromodulation element within a body lumen and related technology

A method, comprising:

• advancing a catheter including an elongate shaft and a neuromodulation element operably connected to the shaft toward a treatment location within a body lumen of a human patient, the neuromodulation element including a first elongate electrode slidably disposed within a first dielectric sleeve and a second elongate electrode slidably disposed within a second dielectric sleeve;
• deploying the first electrode after advancing the catheter, deploying the first electrode including—
• a first deployment phase during which the first electrode moves radially outward while the size of a first fluid-interface area of the first electrode increases,
• a second deployment phase following the first deployment phase during which the first electrode moves radially outward into contact with a wall of the body lumen while the size of a first wall-interface area of the first electrode increases and
• a third deployment phase following the second deployment phase, during which the size of the first fluid-interface area or the size of the first wall-interface area remain constant;
• and
• deploying the second electrode after advancing the catheter, deploying the second electrode including—
• a fourth deployment phase during which the second electrode moves radially outward while the size of a second fluid-interface area of the second electrode increases,
• a fifth deployment phase following the fourth deployment phase during which the second electrode moves radially outward into contact with the wall of the body lumen, while the size of a second wall-interface area of the second electrode increases, and
• a sixth deployment phase following the fifth deployment phase, during which the size of the second fluid-interface or the size of the second wall-interface remains constant;
• and
• using the first electrode to measure a first electrical property wherein the first electrical property changes as a function of the first fluid-interface area and/or the second wall-interface area, the lumen wall and the biological fluid adjacent to the first electrode;
• using the second electrode to measure a second electrical property wherein the second electrical property changes as a function of the second fluid-interface area and/or the second wall-interface area;
• generating a first status indication and/or enabling a first neuromodulation treatment in response to detecting the first electrical property remaining constant within a predetermined range for a period of time;
• and
• generating a second status indication and/or enabling a second neuromodulation treatment in response to detecting the second electrical property remaining constant within the predetermined range for the period of time.

A method, comprising:

• advancing a catheter including an elongate shaft and a neuromodulation element operably connected to the shaft toward a treatment location within a body lumen of a human patient, the neuromodulation element including an elongate electrode slidably disposed within a dielectric sleeve;
• causing a longitudinal shift between a control member and the shaft to thereby move the electrode radially outward while the size of a wall-interface area of the electrode increases;
• measuring the longitudinal shift while moving the control member;
• using the electrode to measure an electrical property of a sum of material adjacent to the electrode while the electrode moves radially outward, the sum of material adjacent to the electrode including portions of the dielectric sleeve, a lumen wall and a biological fluid adjacent to the electrode;
• detecting a transition of the electrical property corresponding to a stabilization of an electrode contact with a wall of the body lumen;
• and
• delivering energy to one or more nerves of the patient via the electrode according to a profile of energy over time, the profile being based on the measured longitudinal shift at the time of the transition of the electrical property, the longitudinal shift at the time of the transition of the electrical property corresponding to a diameter of the body lumen.

A method, comprising:

• advancing a catheter including an elongate shaft and a neuromodulation element operably connected to the shaft toward a treatment location within a body lumen of a human patient, the neuromodulation element including an elongate electrode slidably disposed within a dielectric sleeve;
• deploying the neuromodulation element after advancing the catheter, deploying the neuromodulation element including—
• a first deployment phase during which the electrode moves radially outward while a first interface area between the electrode and a biological fluid at the treatment location increases,
• a second deployment phase following the first deployment phase during which the electrode moves radially outward, wherein the first interface area remains constant;
• a third deployment phase following the second deployment phase during which the electrode moves radially outward, wherein the first interface area decreases and a second interface area between the electrode and a lumen wall at the treatment location increases, and
• a fourth deployment phase following the third deployment phase during which the electrode stops radially expanding, wherein the size of the second interface area remains constant;
• using the electrode to measure an electrical property wherein the electrical property changes as a function of the size of the first interface area and/or the size of the second interface area;
• detecting a change of the electrical property corresponding to a transition of the neuromodulation element from the third deployment phase to the fourth deployment phase;
• and
• generating a status indication and/or enabling a neuromodulation treatment in response to the electrical property remaining constant within a predetermined range for a period of time.