System and method for increasing a target zone for electrical ablation
View Patent ↗System for increasing a target zone for electrical ablation includes a treatment control module executable by a processor. The control module directs a pulse generator to apply pre-conditioning pulses to subject tissue cells in a pre-conditioning zone to electroporation, the pre-conditioning zone being smaller than a target ablation zone. After the pre-conditioning pulses have been applied, the control module directs the pulse generator to apply treatment pulses to electrically ablate the tissue cells in the target ablation zone. The pre-conditioning pulses cause the pre-conditioning zone to have a much higher conductivity so that the zone acts as a larger electrode area when the treatment pulses are applied, which results in a much larger target ablation zone than otherwise possible.
1. A method for increasing a target zone for electrical ablation comprising:
positioning at least one electrode near a target ablation zone;
applying through the positioned electrode a plurality of pre-conditioning pulses to subject tissue cells in a pre-conditioning zone surrounding the electrode to electroporation, the pre-conditioning zone being smaller than the target ablation zone; and
after the pre-conditioning pulses have been applied and after waiting at least 30 seconds to allow an electrical conductivity in the pre-conditioning zone to increase, applying through the positioned electrode a plurality of treatment pulses in an amount sufficient to electrically ablate the tissue cells in the target ablation zone.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein while the pre-conditioning pulses are being applied, continuously monitoring current to adjust at least one pulse parameter for the pre-conditioning pulses.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein;
the step of applying a plurality of pre-conditioning pulses includes applying the pre-conditioning pulses that have a shorter pulse width than the treatment pulses; and
the amount of waiting time prior to the step of applying a plurality of treatment pulses is at least two minutes to allow an electrical conductivity in the pre-conditioning zone to increase.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
applying a test pulse through the electrode; and
determining at least one pulse parameter for the pre-conditioning pulses based on the applied test pulse.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
applying a test pulse through the electrode after the pre-conditioning pulses have been applied; and
based on the applied test pulse, determining whether to repeat the application of the pre-conditioning pulses or proceed to application of the treatment pulses.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the step of determining includes determining whether to repeat the application of the pre-conditioning pulses based on an electrical conductivity derived from the test pulse.
7. A method for increasing a target zone for electrical ablation comprising:
positioning at least one electrode near a target ablation zone;
applying through the positioned electrode a plurality of pre-conditioning pulses to subject tissue cells in a pre-conditioning zone surrounding the electrode to electroporation, the pre-conditioning zone being smaller than the target ablation zone; and
after the pre-conditioning pulses have been applied, applying through the positioned electrode a plurality of treatment pulses in an amount sufficient to electrically ablate the tissue cells in the target ablation zone, the treatment pulses having a longer pulse width than the pre-conditioning pulses.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the step of applying a plurality of pre-conditioning pulses includes applying the pre-conditioning pulses in an amount sufficient to subject tissue cells in the pre-conditioning zone to irreversible electroporation (IRE).