Controlling coagulum formation

摘要

Some embodiments of a medical instrument can be configured to reduce the formation of coagulum by delivering a negative charge bias to conductive surfaces that interface with blood or bodily tissue during a medical procedure. The application of the negative charge at the instrument-blood interface can reduce the fibrinogen deposition and the formation of coagulum because fibrinogen molecules in general are negatively charged at neutral pH levels. In addition, some embodiments of the instrument may be configured to irrigate the instrument-blood interface with RGD/ClfA peptides, a bicarbonate solution (or other high pH solution), or both to further repel the fibrinogen and thereby inhibit the formation of coagulum. Accordingly, some embodiments of the medical instrument can substantially reduce the risks of thromboembolism during particular medical procedures.

主权项

1. A medical instrumentation system, comprising:
an instrument comprising at least one electrode arranged in contact with blood or internal bodily tissue when the instrument is operated at a targeted body site; a power control system to deliver a negative charge to the electrode so as to repel fibrinogen molecules away from the electrode when the instrument is operated at a targeted site, wherein the negative charge applied to the electrode comprises an electrical current that is below a muscle tissue stimulation threshold for the targeted site; an indifferent return electrode connected to the power control system, the indifferent return electrode providing a positive charge to a body site other than the targeted site so as to equalize the negative charge being delivered to the electrode; and an RF energy return electrode connected to the power control system, the RF energy return electrode being positionable in a separate site from the indifferent return electrode.