RF ablation apparatus and method having high output impedance drivers
US6171305A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 5, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jan 9, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 5, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2018/1467
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus for delivering energy to a biological site includes a catheter having a plurality of electrodes positioned proximal the biological site. A power control system supplies power to each electrode. Where an electrode or group of electrodes is turned off, the power control system provides a high impedance to the turned off electrodes so that substantially no current flows to those electrodes from other electrodes that may remain on. This permits the electrodes turned off to cool. The power control system may permit control over the phase and duty cycle of the power applied to the electrodes and may permit individual control over the power provided to each electrode. A backplate is also positioned proximal the biological site so that the biological site is interposed between the electrodes and the backplate. Where a unipolar/bipolar approach is used with the backplate, the power control system controls the phase angle of the power applied to the electrodes so that the current flows between the electrodes and between the electrodes and the backplate.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.