METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RAPID AND SELECTIVE TISSUE ABLATION WITH COOLING

摘要

Systems, tools and methods are disclosed for the selective and rapid application of DC voltage to drive irreversible electroporation, with the system controller capable of being configured to apply voltages to independently selected subsets of electrodes and capable of generating at least one control signal to maintain the temperature near an electrode head within a desired range of values. Electrode clamp devices are also disclosed for generating electric fields to drive irreversible electroporation while modulating temperature to elevate the irreversible electroporation threshold utilizing a variety of means such as cooling fluid or solid state thermoelectric heat pumps.

主权项

1. An apparatus, comprising:
a clamp including a first arm and a second arm, the first arm and the second arm configured to exert opposing forces to maintain a target tissue disposed between the first arm and the second arm; a first electrode head coupled to the first arm, the first electrode head including a first electrically insulating contact surface, a first electrode and a first cooling unit, the first contact surface configured to contact a first portion of the target tissue, the first cooling unit configured to maintain the first portion of the target tissue at a first target temperature; and a second electrode head coupled to the second arm, the second electrode head including a second electrically insulating contact surface, a second electrode and a second cooling unit, the second contact surface configured to contact a second portion of the target tissue, the second cooling unit configured to maintain the second portion of the target tissue at a second target temperature, the first electrode and the second electrode collectively configured to deliver a voltage pulse to the target tissue.