Electroporation apparatus and method of using same for ablation of an arbitrary volume
An electroporation apparatus and the method of using same are provided. The apparatus allows for the ablation of an area of tissue of arbitrary volume. The apparatus includes a plurality of conductive electrodes attached to a base plate and electrically connected to a pulse generator to allow individual electrical actuation of the electrodes. In use, the electrodes are inserted into an area of tissue to be ablated, such that the electrodes are in a first position. Predetermined ones of the electrodes are then activated to ablate tissue surrounding the activated electrodes, while leaving other ones of the electrodes un-activated. The electrodes are then moved to a second position which is different than the first position, and predetermined ones of the electrodes are then activated to ablate tissue surrounding the activated electrodes, while leaving other ones of the electrodes un-activated.
1. An electroporation apparatus comprising:
a pulse generator;
a base plate formed of an insulative material;
a plurality of conductive paths formed on the base plate, each conductive path being electrically connected to the pulse generator for individual electrical actuation by the pulse generator;
a support plate formed of an insulative material;
a first plurality of conductive electrodes affixed to and extending from the base plate, each electrode extending from the base plate and through the support plate at a first nonorthogonal angle, each electrode being electrically connected to a respective conductive path on the base plate to allow individual electrical actuation of the electrodes by the pulse generator, each electrode having a tip, wherein at least one tip extends distally toward a longitudinal axis extending perpendicular to the base plate;
a second plurality of conductive electrodes affixed to and extending from the base plate, each electrode extending from the base plate and through the support plate at a second nonorthogonal angle, each electrode being electrically connected to the respective conductive path on the base plate to allow individual electrical actuation of the electrodes by the pulse generator, each electrode having a tip, wherein at least one tip extends distally toward the longitudinal axis extending perpendicular to the base plate; and
wherein in use, the support plate is held stationary and the base plate and electrodes are moved relative to the support plate to move the electrodes through the support plate from a first position to a second position, such that the tip of each electrode is displaced relative to the support plate while maintaining the angle at which each electrode extends through the support plate, and
wherein in use, certain ones of the electrodes are configured to be activated by the pulse generator when in the first position, and other ones of the electrodes are configured to be activated by the pulse generator when in the second position.
2. The electroporation apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the support plate is linear.
3. The electroporation apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the support plate is curved.
4. The electroporation apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the electrodes are provided in an array.
5. The electroporation apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the electrodes are angled relative to each other at an angle greater than 0 degrees.
6. The electroporation apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each electrode defines a centerline between opposite ends of the electrode, wherein the centerlines of the first plurality of conductive electrodes are angled in a first similar direction, and wherein the centerlines of the second plurality of conductive electrodes are angled in a second similar direction.
7. The electroporation apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the tip of each electrode is sharpened.
8. The electroporation apparatus of claim 1 , wherein predetermined ones of the electrodes have a path therethrough to allow infusion of an agent into tissue into which the electrodes are inserted.
9. The electroporation apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the electrodes are formed from one of stainless steel, platinum, iridium and gold.
10. The electroporation apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an insulating material provided on at least one portion of each of the electrodes.
11. The electroporation apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the insulating material is formed of one of conformal paint, conformal lacquer, and rubber.
12. An electroporation apparatus comprising:
a pulse generator;
a base plate formed of an insulative material;
a plurality of conductive paths formed on the base plate and electrically connected to the pulse generator;
a support plate formed of an insulative material;
a first and second plurality of conductive electrodes provided in an array and affixed and extending from to the base plate, the first plurality of conductive electrodes extending from the base plate and through the support plate at a first nonorthogonal angle and the second plurality of conductive electrodes extending from the base plate and through the support plate at a second nonorthogonal angle, wherein at least one electrode of the first plurality of conductive electrodes extends distally toward a longitudinal axis extending perpendicular to the base plate, and wherein at least one electrode of the second plurality of conductive electrodes extends distally towards the longitudinal axis extending perpendicular to the base plate, each electrode being electrically connected to a respective conductive path on the base plate for individual electrical actuation by the pulse generator, each electrode having insulating material provided on at least one portion thereof, each electrode having a sharpened tip, and predetermined ones of the electrodes have a path therethrough to allow infusion of an agent into tissue into which the electrodes are inserted; and
wherein in use, the support plate is held stationary and the base plate and electrodes are moved relative to the support plate to move the electrodes through the support plate from a first position to a second position, such that the tip of each electrode is displaced relative to the support plate while maintaining the angle at which each electrode extends through the support plate and
wherein in use, certain ones of the electrodes are configured to be activated by the pulse generator when in the first position, and other ones of the electrodes are configured to be activated by the pulse generator when in the second position.
13. The electroporation apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the electrodes are angled relative to each other at an angle greater than 0 degrees.
14. The electroporation apparatus of claim 12 , wherein each electrode defines a centerline between opposite ends of the electrode, wherein the centerlines of the first plurality of conductive electrodes are angled in a first similar direction, and wherein the centerlines of the second plurality of conductive electrodes are angled in a second similar direction.
15. The electroporation apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the electrodes are formed from one of stainless steel, platinum, iridium and gold.
16. The electroporation apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the insulating material is formed of one of conformal paint, conformal lacquer, and rubber.
17. An electroporation apparatus comprising:
a pulse generator including a processor;
a base plate formed of an insulative material;
a plurality of conductive paths formed on the base plate electrically connected to the pulse generator for electrical actuation by the pulse generator;
a support plate formed of an insulative material;
a first and a second plurality of conductive electrodes affixed to and extending from the base plate the first plurality of conductive electrodes extending from the base plate and through the support plate at a first nonorthogonal angle and the second plurality of conductive electrodes extending from the base plate and through the support plate at a second nonorthogonal angle, wherein at least one electrode of the first plurality of conductive electrodes extends distally toward a longitudinal axis extending perpendicular to the base plate, and wherein at least one electrode of the second plurality of conductive electrodes extends distally toward the longitudinal axis extending perpendicular to the base plate, each electrode being electrically connected to a respective conductive path on the base plate to allow individual electrical actuation of the electrodes by the pulse generator, each electrode having a tip;
connecting structure connecting the base plate and the support plate together, the connecting structure configured to cause movement of the base plate relative to the support plate, wherein activation of the connecting structure is controlled by the processor,
wherein in use, the support plate is held stationary and the base plate and electrodes are moved relative to the support plate to move the electrodes through the support plate such that the tip of each electrode is displaced relative to the support plate while maintaining the angle at which each electrode extends through the support plate.
18. The electroporation apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the electrodes are provided in an array.
19. The electroporation apparatus of claim 17 , wherein predetermined ones of the electrodes have a path therethrough to allow infusion of an agent into tissue into which the electrodes are inserted.
20. The electroporation apparatus of claim 17 , further comprising an insulating material provided on at least one portion of each of the electrodes.