System and Method for Increasing a Target Zone for Electrical Ablation

Abstract

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 - 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . A method for increasing a target zone for electrical ablation comprising:
 positioning at least one electrode near a target ablation zone; and   applying a first set and a second set of pulses through the electrode, each set of pulses sufficient to irreversibly electroporate tissue cells in the target ablation zone;   wherein a first delay of between 1 and 600 seconds is introduced between the first and second set of pulses.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the first delay is between 30 and 480 seconds. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the first delay is between 120 and 480 seconds. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 33  further comprising:
 applying a third set of pulses through the electrode; 
 wherein a second delay of between 1 and 600 seconds is introduced between the second and third set of pulses. 
 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the second delay is between 30 and 480 seconds. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the second delay is between 120 and 480 seconds. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 37  further comprising:
 applying a fourth set of pulses through the electrode; 
 wherein a third delay of between 1 and 600 seconds is introduced between the third and fourth set of pulses. 
 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the third delay is between 30 and 480 seconds. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the third delay is between 120 and 480 seconds. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 40  further comprising:
 applying a fifth set of pulses through the electrode; 
 wherein a fourth delay of between 1 and 600 seconds is introduced between the fourth and fifth set of pulses. 
 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the fourth delay is between 30 and 480 seconds. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the fourth delay is between 120 and 480 seconds. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 43  further comprising:
 applying a sixth set of pulses through the electrode; 
 wherein a fifth delay of between 1 and 690 seconds is introduced between the fifth and sixth set of pulses. 
 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the fifth delay is between 30 and 480 seconds. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the fifth delay is between 120 and 480 seconds. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein pulse widths in the first set of pulses are different than pulse widths in the second set of pulses. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein voltage settings for the first set of pulses are different from voltage settings for the second set of pulses. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein prior to an application of the second set of pulses and subsequent to a start of the application of the first set of pulses, a parameter for the second set of pulses is determined based on an impedance measured from the target zone. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein each set of pulses comprises a pulse-train. 
     
     
         53 . A method for increasing a target zone for electrical ablation comprising:
 positioning a bipolar electrode near a target ablation zone; and   applying a plurality of sets of pulses through the electrode, each of the sets of pulses being sufficient to irreversibly electroporate tissue cells in the target ablation zone;   wherein a delay of between 1 and 600 seconds is introduced between each of the plurality of sets of pulses.   
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the delay is between 30 and 480 seconds. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the delay is between 120 and 480 seconds.