Methods and Devices For the Non-Thermal, Electrically-Induced Closure of Blood Vessels

• US 20080188846A1
• Filed: 09/20/2005
• Published: 08/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University (Stanford Management Co.)
• Original Assignee: Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University (Stanford Management Co.)
• Inventors: Palanker, Daniel V., Vankov, Alexander B.
• Granted Patent: US 8,105,324 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00345 Vascular system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00404 Blood vessels other than those in or around the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00619 Welding
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/40 Applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling microwave apparatus A61N5/00; Applying radio-frequency signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 35/00 Antineoplastic agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 43/00 Drugs for specific purposes, not provided for in groups A61P1/00-A61P41/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 9/00 Drugs for disorders of the cardiovascular system

Abstract

Methods and devices for the non-thermal, electrically-induced temporary or permanent closure of blood vessels. The subject methods and devices employ pulsed electrical energy according to a defined regime to effect controlled occlusion of targeted blood vessels without heating the vessel and with minimal damage to adjacent tissue. The extent of vessel closure, i.e., temporary (vasoconstriction) or permanent (thrombosis), is controlled based on the manipulation of various parameters of the electrical stimulation regime as well as the configuration of the electrodes used to apply the regime.

Claims

1. A method of causing an occlusion of targeted vessels in a patient, the method comprising:

contacting a tissue or skin surface of the patient with an electric probe, wherein the tissue or skin surface is proximate the targeted vessels; and

applying electric pulses to the targeted vessels with the electric probe, the pulses each having a duration from about 0.01 μ

s to about 1 ms for a time period wherein the targeted vessels have achieved a desired extent of occlusion with no thermal damage to the tissue.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the electric pulses are applied at a repetition rate of about 0.01 to about 100 Hz.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the electric pulses are applied in bursts with a pulse frequency within a burst in the range from about 0.1 to about 10 MHz.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein each burst has a duration from about 0.1 μ

s to about 1 ms.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein at least two bursts of pulses are applied to the targeted vessels with a repetition rate of 0.01 to 100 Hz

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the duration of the treatment is in the range from about 0.1 microsecond to 1 hour.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein an electric field having an intensity from about 1 to about 100 KV/cm results from the applied electric pulses.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the pulses are biphasic.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the targeted vessels are cutaneous or subcutaneous.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the targeted vessels support a solid tumor.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying a calcium blocker to the tissue or skin surface prior to applying the electric pulses.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the desired extent of occlusion is reversible vasoconstriction of the targeted vessels.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the desired extent of occlusion is irreversible thrombosis of the targeted vessels.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the electric probe comprises an array of electrodes.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the electrodes are individually activated.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the array of electrodes has a linear configuration.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the array of electrodes has a planar configuration.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the array of electrodes has a concentric configuration.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the array of electrodes comprises active electrodes and the probe further comprises a return electrode positioned remotely from the array of active electrodes.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the probe comprises at least one active electrode and a return electrode positioned remotely from the at least one active electrode, wherein the method further comprises positioning the return electrode a selected distance from said at least one active electrode.

21. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a conductive fluid on the tissue or skin surface.

27. A kit comprising:

the device of claim 21; and

at least one dosage of a calcium blocker configured for topical application.

28. The kit of claim 27, further comprising:

instructions for using the device to selectively constriction one or more targeted blood vessels within a patient.

22. A device for causing non-thermal occlusion of targeted vessels in a patient, the device comprising:

an electric probe having an electrode assembly configured for contacting a tissue or skin surface proximate the targeted vessels; and

a pulse generator electrically coupled to the electric probe and configured to apply electric pulses to the tissue or skin surface to a selected depth beneath the surface, wherein the electric pulses cause the occlusion of the targeted vessels without thermally coagulating the vessels.

23. The device of claim 22, wherein the electrode assembly comprises an array of active electrodes and a larger return electrode situated remotely from the active electrodes.

24. The device of claim 23, wherein active electrodes are configured to be activated sequentially.

25. The device of claim 22, wherein the electrode assembly comprises an array of active electrodes surrounded by one or more return electrodes.

26. The device of claim 25, wherein the active electrodes are configured to be activated simultaneously.