Variable-output radiofrequency ablation power supply
AssigneeMedtronic Ablation Frontiers LLC
InventorCharu P. Mathur
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A medical system is provided, including an ablation system having at least one ablation element and a sensor, a generator operable to deliver radiofrequency ablation energy to the ablation element. A power supply defines a duty cycle and provides a voltage to the generator, and the power supply has a duty cycle modulator and an amplitude modulator. A processor is connected to the power supply, the generator, and the sensor. The processor obtains a feedback signal from the sensor, and adjusts the duty cycle modulator and the amplitude modulator according to the feedback signal.
Claims16
A medical system, comprising:
- a catheter having an ablation element and a sensor;
- a radiofrequency generator connected to the ablation element;
- a power supply defining a duty cycle and providing a voltage to the generator, the power supply having a duty cycle modulator and an amplitude modulator;
- and
- a processor connected to the power supply, the generator, and the sensor, the amplitude modulator including a variable resistance connected between the sensor and the processor, the variable resistance including a plurality of parallel resistors, each parallel resistor having a different ohmic resistance and being connected to a diode and a transistor;
- the processor being operable to obtain a feedback signal from the sensor, and adjust the duty cycle modulator and the amplitude modulator according to the feedback signal, the processor allowing electrical current through one or more of the parallel resistors by selecting and activating the corresponding transistor in order to adjust the amplitude modulator.
A method of treating a patient, comprising:
- providing an ablation system having
- a generator;
- a power supply defining a duty cycle and providing a voltage to the generator, the power supply having a duty cycle modulator and an amplitude modulator;
- an ablation element;
- a sensor;
- and
- a processor connected to the power supply, the generator, and the sensor, the amplitude modulator including a variable resistance connected between the sensor and the processor, the variable resistance including a plurality of parallel resistors, each parallel resistor having a different ohmic resistance and being connected to a diode and a transistor, the processor being operable to obtain a feedback signal from the sensor and adjust the duty cycle modulator and the amplitude modulator according to the feedback signal, the processor allowing electrical current through one or more of the parallel resistors by selecting and activating the corresponding transistor in order to adjust the amplitude modulator;
- determining a desired parameter value;
- operating the power supply to define a duty cycle and an output voltage;
- placing the ablation element and sensor proximate to a treatment site;
- delivering electrical power from the power supply to the generator;
- delivering ablation energy from the generator to the ablation element;
- measuring a parameter with the sensor;
- comparing the measured parameter to the desired parameter value to determine a comparison value;
- and
- modulating the duty cycle and the output voltage to minimize the comparison value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.