Abstract: Methods of and systems for ablating cardiac tissue is disclosed. One example method includes monitoring an electrical signal of a heart of a patient. The electrical signal represents the heart beating. The method further includes determining, with an electronic processor and based on the electrical signal, an end-diastolic time period at an end of a diastolic time period during which diastole of the heart has occurred during a previous cardiac cycle. The method further includes determining, with the electronic processor and based on the electrical signal, that another cardiac cycle has begun. The method further includes causing, with the electronic processor, an electrode to deliver pulsed field ablation (PFA) energy to the heart during at least a portion of a time in which the end-diastolic time period of the another cardiac cycle is expected to occur.

Abstract: A method of delivering pulsed electric field energy to perform ablation of a tissue includes providing a pulse train to an electrode. The pulse train may include a first set of pulses with a first pulse width to generate first electric field and a second set of pulses with a second pulse width greater than the first pulse width to generate a second electric field. The electrode may be positioned at a same position during generation of the first electric field and the second electric field. The first electric field may be configured to have a higher electroporation effect on the first elongated cells having a first orientation than on second elongated cells having a second orientation. The second electric field may be configured to have a higher electroporation effect on the second cells than on the first cells.

Abstract: Evaluating a cardiac lesion formed by an ablation procedure, by receiving, by processing circuitry and following conclusion of delivery of ablation energy, a bioelectrical signal from an electrode proximate to a target location of cardiac tissue for the cardiac lesion; determining, by the processing circuitry, one or more characteristics of the received bioelectrical signal in a frequency band of the received bioelectrical signal; and estimating, by the processing circuitry, an efficacy of the cardiac lesion based on a comparison of the determined amplitude of the bioelectrical signal and a threshold amplitude.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for enhancing the efficiency and efficacy of energy delivery and tissue mapping. One system includes a treatment element having a plurality of electrodes and an energy generator that is configured to deliver electric energy pulses to the electrodes in a variety of patterns. For example, electrodes may be arranged in closely spaced pairs. The energy generator may deliver mapping energy to each electrode in each pair individually to map tissue and may deliver ablation energy to the electrodes in each pair together, such that each pair is treated like a single electrode, to deliver ablation energy, such as bipolar ablation energy between adjacent pairs. One system includes at least one concave electrode, the configuration of which concentrates the energy and drives it deeper into the tissue. One system includes neutral electrodes between active electrodes, the energy generator selectively coupling the neutral electrodes to alter the ablation pattern.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for enhancing the efficiency and efficacy of energy delivery and tissue mapping. One system includes a treatment element having a plurality of electrodes and an energy generator that is configured to deliver electric energy pulses to the electrodes in a variety of patterns. For example, electrodes may be arranged in closely spaced pairs. The energy generator may deliver mapping energy to each electrode in each pair individually to map tissue and may deliver ablation energy to the electrodes in each pair together, such that each pair is treated like a single electrode, to deliver ablation energy, such as bipolar ablation energy between adjacent pairs. One system includes at least one concave electrode, the configuration of which concentrates the energy and drives it deeper into the tissue. One system includes neutral electrodes between active electrodes, the energy generator selectively coupling the neutral electrodes to alter the ablation pattern.

Abstract: The electrotransfer of a nucleic acid into tissue cells, in particular in a muscle or a tumoral tissue, is carried out by an electric stimulation of the tissue as follows: first with at least one, preferably a single, pulse of a High Voltage field strength of between 200 and 2000 volts/cm second with a single pulse of Low Voltage field strength of between 50 and 200 volts/cm and of duration of between 300 ms and 2000 ms.

Abstract: An electroporation device comprising pulses generating circuit (3) connectable (5) to electrodes (7,8) fit table to a substrate (25) of a live being comprising cells; the electrodes (7,8) producing, in the substrate (25), an electric field which induces permeabilization of the membranes of the cells to facilitate introduction of substances (30) into the cells. A frequency regulating circuit (12) is designed to produce a train of pulses that are spaced one with respect the other of a, time interval Tsp that is lower than the refractory period of the nerves and/or muscles present in the substrate (25).

Abstract: Electro-poration device for the permeabilization of cells contained in a substrate comprising a signal generator for generating a stimulating signal applied by means of electrodes to the substrate wherein an electric field permeabilizing the cells membranes is induced. The device calculates and monitors the instantaneous value or the ratio GT between the current flowing through the substrate and the voltage of the stimulating signal applied to the substrate; in particular, the stimulating signal is applied in a modified manner according to the shape of an initial portion of the waveform of a curve CGT representing the value of ratio GT in successive instants after the application of the stimulating signal. The system will achieve permeabilization of cells in substrate with no or minimum damage, allowing to introduce or to extract molecules in or from the electropermeabilized living cells.

Abstract: The electrotransfer of a nucleic acid into tissue cells, in particular in a muscle or a tumoral tissue, is carried out by an electric stimulation of the tissue as follows: first with at least one, preferably a single, pulse of a High Voltage field strength of between 200 and 2000 volts/cm second with a single pulse of Low Voltage field strength of between 50 and 200 volts/cm and of duration of between 300 ms and 2000 ms.

Abstract: An electroporation device having a signal generating circuit (3) connectable at the output to electrodes (5) fittable to a substrate (35) having cells. The electrodes (5) produce an electric field which induces permeabilization of the cell membranes to facilitate introduction of substances into the cells. The amplitude of the signal (12) applied to the electrodes is closed-loop controlled on the basis of the impedance (Z(?)) of the substrate, so as to regulate the amplitude of the signal following a reduction in impedance caused by permeabilization of the cell membranes.

Abstract: Electro-poration device for the permeabilization of cells contained in a substrate comprising a signal generator for generating a stimulating signal applied by means of electrodes to the substrate wherein an electric field permeabilizing the cells membranes is induced. The device calculates and monitors the instantaneous value or the ratio GT between the current flowing through the substrate and the voltage of the stimulating signal applied to the substrate; in particular, the stimulating signal is applied in a modified manner according to the shape of an initial portion of the waveform of a curve CGT representing the value of ratio GT in successive instants after the application of the stimulating signal. The system will achieve permeabilization of cells in substrate with no or minimum damage, allowing to introduce or to extract molecules in or from the electropermeabilized living cells.

Abstract: An electroporation device comprising pulses generating circuit (3) connectable (5) to electrodes (7,8) fit table to a substrate (25) of a live being comprising cells; the electrodes (7,8) producing, in the substrate (25), an electric field which induces permeabilization of the membranes of the cells to facilitate introduction of substances (30) into the cells. A frequency regulating circuit (12) is designed to produce a train of pulses that are spaced one with respect the other of a, time interval Tsp that is lower than the refractory period of the nerves and/or muscles present in the substrate (25).

Abstract: An electroporation device having a signal generating circuit (3) connectable at the output to electrodes (5) fittable to a substrate (35) having cells. The electrodes (5) produce an electric field which induces permeabilization of the cell membranes to facilitate introduction of substances into the cells. The amplitude of the signal (12) applied to the electrodes is closed-loop controlled on the basis of the impedance (Z(&ohgr;)) of the substrate, so as to regulate the amplitude of the signal following a reduction in impedance caused by permeabilization of the cell membranes.