Electrical ablation devices and methods

An ablation apparatus, comprising:

• a housing having a distal end, a proximal end, and a body extending along a longitudinal axis between the proximal end and the distal end;
• a first electrode supported in the housing, wherein the first electrode extends along a first axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the first electrode is electrically coupled to a first polarity of an energy source;
• a second electrode supported in the housing, wherein the second electrode extends along a second axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, wherein the second axis is laterally-offset from the first axis, wherein the second electrode is electrically coupled to a second polarity of the energy source, wherein the second polarity is opposite to the first polarity, wherein the energy source is configured to generate and deliver a first sequence of electrical pulses and a second sequence of electrical pulses to tissue having a necrotic threshold, wherein the first sequence of electrical pulses and the second sequence of electrical pulses are transmitted laterally between the first and second electrodes substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis;
• and
• at least one of a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor positioned within the housing and configured to detect a property of the tissue;
• wherein the first sequence of electrical pulses delivers a first energy dose that is less than the necrotic threshold to induce thermal heating in the tissue and the second sequence of electrical pulses delivers a second energy dose equal to or greater than the necrotic threshold to induce cell necrosis in the tissue by irreversible electroporation;
• wherein the energy source is configured to generate and deliver the first sequence until at least one of a predetermined temperature and a predetermined pressure is detected in the tissue by the at least one of a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor;
• and
• wherein the energy source is configured to generate and deliver the second sequence when at least one of the predetermined temperature and the predetermined pressure is detected in the tissue by the at least one of a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor.

An ablation apparatus, comprising:

• a housing having a distal end, a proximal end, and a body extending along a longitudinal axis between the proximal end and the distal end;
• a sensor positioned at the distal end;
• a first electrode supported in the housing, wherein the first electrode extends along a first axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the first electrode is electrically coupled to a first polarity of an enerqy source;
• a second electrode supported in the housing, wherein the second electrode extends along a second axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, wherein the second electrode is laterally-offset from the first electrode, wherein the second electrode is electrically coupled to a second polarity of the enerqy source, wherein the second polarity is opposite to the first polarity, wherein the energy source is configured to generate and deliver a first sequence of electrical pulses and a second sequence of electrical pulses to tissue having a necrotic threshold, wherein the first sequence of electrical pulses and the second sequence of electrical pulses are transmitted laterally between the laterally-offset first and second electrodes substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis;
• and
• a feedback generator in communication with the sensor;
• wherein the first sequence of electrical pulses delivers a first energy dose that is less than the necrotic threshold to induce thermal heating in the tissue and the second sequence of electrical pulses delivers a second energy dose equal to or greater than the necrotic threshold to induce cell necrosis in the tissue by irreversible electroporation.