Patent ID: 6059778
Filing Date: 2000-05-09
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An apparatus for delivering energy to a biological site, said apparatus comprising:a catheter having a plurality of electrodes at its distal end, the distal end positionable so that the electrodes are located at the biological site;a backplate positionable proximal the biological site so that the biological site is interposed between the electrodes and the backplate;a power control system providing power to each of the electrodes, the power having, within a predetermined time duration, a plurality of alternating on periods and off periods, one set of adjacent on and off periods defining a duty cycle;wherein during the on period of each duty cycle, the power is selected such that at least two electrodes have voltage levels that differ from each other and at least one electrode has a voltage level that differs from the backplate so that current flows between the two electrodes and between at least one electrode and the backplate; andwherein during the off period of each duty cycle, the power is selected such that each electrode and the backplate have substantially the same voltage levels so that substantially no current flows between the electrodes and between the electrodes and the backplate.