Patent ID: 6050994
Filing Date: 2000-04-18
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An apparatus for delivering energy to heart tissue, said apparatus comprising:a catheter having a plurality of electrodes arranged at a distal end of the catheter, the distal end positionable so that the electrodes are located at the heart tissue;a backplate positionable proximal the heart tissue so that the heart tissue is interposed between the electrodes and the backplate; anda power control system providing power to each of the electrodes wherein the power to a first electrode has a first phase angle and the power to a second electrode has a second phase angle and such that the power provided to at least one electrode has a voltage level that differs from the backplate so that current flows between said first and second electrodes and between at least one electrode and the backplate;wherein the power control system alternates the phase angles between the first and second electrodes such that in a first time period, the first and second electrodes have the first and second phase angles respectively and in a second time period, the first and second electrodes have the second and first phase angles respectively.