Ultrasound ablation apparatus with discrete staggered ablation zones

US8974446B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• St. Jude Medical, LLC · US

Inventors

• Tho Hoang Nguyen · Talbert, US
• Cary Hata · Irvine, US
• Alan de la Rama · Cerritos, US
• Vivian Tran · Santa Ana, US
• Peter Chen · Irvine, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 2, 2011
• Grant date: Mar 10, 2015
• Expiry date: Dec 28, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61N2007/0078
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An ablation apparatus comprises an ultrasonic transducer which includes a piezoelectric element having a cylindrical shape; a plurality of external electrodes disposed on the outer surface of the piezoelectric element; and at least one internal electrode disposed on the inner surface of the piezoelectric element. The at least one internal electrode provides corresponding internal electrode portions that are disposed opposite the external electrodes with respect to the piezoelectric element, the external electrodes and the at least one internal electrode to be energized to apply an electric field across the piezoelectric element. The ultrasonic ablation zones of the external electrodes are distributed in a staggered configuration so as to span one or more open arc segments around the longitudinal axis, and the ultrasound ablation zones of all external electrodes projected longitudinally onto any lateral plane which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis span a substantially closed loop around the longitudinal axis.