PRESSURE-SENSITIVE FLEXIBLE POLYMER BIPOLAR ELECTRODE

• US 20090171343A1
• Filed: 12/31/2007
• Published: 07/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: St. Jude Medical (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: St. Jude Medical (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: THAO, Chou, PAUL, Saurav, PURYEAR, Harry
• Granted Patent: US 8,226,648 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/34
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1206 Generators therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00023 closed, i.e. without wound contact by the fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00875 Resistance or impedance

Abstract

The present invention is directed to bipolar ablation systems. A bipolar electrode system for ablation therapy is disclosed, including a pressure-sensitive conducting composite layer and a pair of electrodes in electrical conductive contact or communication with the pressure-sensitive conducting composite layer. Energy (e.g., ablation energy) is delivered via the pressure-sensitive conductive composition when sufficient pressure is applied to transform the pressure-sensitive conductive composite to an electrical conductor. An electrically insulative flexible layer, which may include a passageway for a fill material is also disclosed. In some embodiments, the systems can also be used for targeted delivery of compounds, such as drugs, using a bipolar electrode.

Claims

1. A bipolar electrode system for ablation therapy, comprising:

a pressure-sensitive conducting composite layer; and

a pair of electrodes in electrical communication with the pressure-sensitive conducting composite layer.

2. The bipolar electrode system of claim 1, further comprising:

a catheter base coupled to one of the pair of electrodes.

3. The bipolar electrode system of claim 1, further comprising:

an energy source coupled to the pair of electrodes, such that ablation energy is delivered via the pressure-sensitive conductive composite when sufficient pressure is applied to transform the pressure-sensitive conductive composite to an electrical conductor.

4. The bipolar electrode system of claim 1, further comprising:

an electrically insulative flexible layer adjacent the pressure-sensitive conducting composite layer.

5. The bipolar electrode system of claim 4, further comprising:

one sensor located in the electrically insulative flexible layer for monitoring temperature.

6. The bipolar electrode system of claim 4, further comprising:

a heat sink thermally coupled to one of the pressure-sensitive conductive composite member and the electrically insulative flexible layer.

7. The bipolar electrode system of claim 4, wherein the electrically insulative flexible layer includes a passageway for a fill material.

8. The bipolar electrode system of claim 7, wherein the passageway in the insulative flexible layer includes a wall such that flowable fill material circulates in the insulative flexible layer.

9. The bipolar electrode system of claim 7, wherein the electrically insulative flexible layer is permeable.

10. The bipolar electrode system of claim 7, wherein the passageway includes an outlet at a distal end of the electrode to permit a flowable filler material flow from the passageway.

11. The bipolar electrode system of claim 10, wherein the first sensor measures the temperature of the flowable filler material near the outlet.

12. The bipolar electrode system of claim 11, further comprising:

a second sensor to measure the temperature of the flowable filler material at a location other than the outlet.

13. The bipolar electrode of claim 11, further comprising a second sensor that measures the temperature of the coolant where it enters the passageway.

14. The bipolar electrode system of claim 1, wherein the electrically insulative flexible tube includes a passageway for a filler material to cool the electrode during ablation, said passageway comprising a loop such that a cooling fluid travels from a proximal end of the electrode through a distal end of the electrode and returns to the proximal end of the electrode via the passageway.

15. The bipolar electrode of claim 4, further comprising:

a heat sink thermally coupled to one of the pressure-sensitive conductive composite member and the electrically insulative layer.

16. A bipolar electrode for ablation therapy, comprising:

a pressure-sensitive conducting composite layer;

a pair of electrodes in electrical conductive contact or communication with the pressure-sensitive conducting composite layer; and

an electrically insulative flexible tube adjacent the pressure-sensitive conducting composite layer,

wherein the electrically insulative flexible tube comprises a passageway for a filler material.

17. A method of treating tissue, the method comprising:

providing an bipolar electrode system having a pair of electrodes and a layer of pressure-sensitive conductive composite that is in electrical communication with a portion of the pair of electrodes;

coupling an RF energy supply to the pair of electrodes;

operatively contacting the bipolar electrode system with a target tissue of a subject;

exerting pressure upon the target tissue through the electrode such that the pressure-sensitive conductive composite becomes conductive and delivers energy to the target tissue.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising a heat sink thermally coupled to the bipolar electrode system.

19. A bipolar electrode for ablation therapy, the bipolar electrode comprising:

a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end;

a pair of electrodes for conducting energy; and

a layer of quantum tunneling composite that is in electrical communication with the pair of electrodes, said layer being located at least in part at the distal end of the catheter.

20. The electrode of claim 19, further comprising:

an electrically insulative flexible layer adjacent the pressure-sensitive conducting composite layer.

21. The electrode of claim 20, further comprising:

at least one sensor to measure a temperature of the electrically insulative flexible layer

22. The electrode of claim 20, further comprising:

a heat sink thermally coupled to at least the quantum tunneling composite layer or the electrically insulative flexible tube.

23. A bipolar electrode assembly for conducting ablative energy, said assembly comprising:

a pair of electrodes for conducting ablative energy;

a quantum tunneling composite member; and

an energy source coupled to the quantum tunneling composite member;

wherein the pair of electrodes is disposed relative to the quantum tunneling composite member such that pressure that is applied to the pair of electrodes is transferred to the quantum tunneling composite member and causes the quantum tunneling composite member to become electrically conductive such that it conducts electrical energy to the electrode.

24. The electrode assembly of claim 23, further comprising a conductor that is in electrical contact or communication with the quantum tunneling composite member, said conductor being configured to conduct electrical energy sufficient to cause ablation.

25. The electrode assembly of claim 24, wherein the electrode is located on a distal end of the electrode assembly, and wherein the quantum tunneling composite member is disposed in physical contact or communication with the electrode along the longitudinal axis of the electrode assembly.

26. The electrode assembly of claim 24, further comprising at least one pressure transfer member disposed between the quantum tunneling composite member and the electrode, such that pressure applied to the electrode is transferred through the at least one pressure transfer member to the quantum tunneling composite member.

27. The electrode assembly of claim 26, further comprising a processor adapted to sense a degree of contact between the electrode and a surface of a tissue to be ablated.

28. The electrode assembly of claim 26, further comprising:

a processor that monitors for a change in impedance of the quantum tunneling composite member, said processor being coupled to a generator to control the energy being generated based on the change in impedance of the quantum tunneling composite member.

29. A method of delivering a compound to a target tissue, comprising:

providing an bipolar electrode system having a pair of electrodes for conducting energy and a layer of pressure-sensitive conductive composite that is in electrical contact or communication with at least a portion of the pair of electrodes;

providing a DC energy supply;

circulating a flowable filler material that includes the compound to be delivered to the target tissue;

operatively contacting the bipolar electrode system with a target tissue of a subject;

engaging the DC energy supply;

exerting an effective amount of pressure upon the target tissue through the electrode such that the pressure-sensitive conductive composite becomes conductive and delivers DC energy to the target tissue.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising coupling an RF energy supply to the pair of electrodes;

disengaging the DC energy supply;

engaging the RF energy supply; and

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the compound is electrophoretic.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein the compound is photosensitive.

33. The method of claim 29, wherein the DC energy supply is electrically coupled to the pair of electrodes.