RF ablation apparatus and method using unipolar and bipolar techniques
First Claim
1. A method for delivering energy to a biological site, said method comprising the steps of:
- positioning a catheter having a plurality of electrodes at its distal end at the biological site;
positioning a backplate proximal the biological site so that the biological site is interposed between the electrode device and the backplate;
providing power to each of the electrodes, the power having a duty cycle with an on period and an off period;
during a first segment of the on period, establishing a voltage potential between at least one electrode and the backplate so that energy flows through the biological site between the electrode and the backplate; and
during a second segment of the on period, establishing a voltage potential between at least two of the electrodes so that energy flows through the biological site between the electrodes.
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Abstract
An apparatus for delivering energy to a biological site includes an electrode device having a plurality of electrodes, the electrode device positioned proximal the biological site. A power control system supplies power having a controllable phase angle to each of the electrodes. A backplate is also positioned proximal the biological site so that the biological site is interposed between the electrode device and the backplate. The backplate is maintained at the reference voltage level in relation to the power. The power control system controls the phase angle of the power so that the current flow between the electrodes and between the electrodes and the backplate results in the continuity and depth of lesions desired. In a preferred embodiment, the electrodes are arranged in a substantially linear array.
240 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method for delivering energy to a biological site, said method comprising the steps of:
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positioning a catheter having a plurality of electrodes at its distal end at the biological site;
positioning a backplate proximal the biological site so that the biological site is interposed between the electrode device and the backplate;
providing power to each of the electrodes, the power having a duty cycle with an on period and an off period;
during a first segment of the on period, establishing a voltage potential between at least one electrode and the backplate so that energy flows through the biological site between the electrode and the backplate; and
during a second segment of the on period, establishing a voltage potential between at least two of the electrodes so that energy flows through the biological site between the electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
forming the plurality of electrodes into a first electrode group and a second electrode group with at least one electrode in each group;
connecting all electrodes in the first group to a first potential; and
applying power to all electrodes in the second group from the power control system with the power establishing a second potential different from the first potential at each of the electrodes in the second electrode group.
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13. The method of claim 12 comprising the further step of interspacing the electrodes from the first group of electrodes with the electrodes of the second group of electrodes such that each electrode from the first group is adjacent at least one electrode from the second group.
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14. The method of claim 12 wherein the electrodes are arranged into a linear array at the distal end of the catheter.
Specification