WO2021181231A2

WO2021181231A2 - Ablation equipment for delivering non-thermal energy to treat target regions of tissue in organs and control method thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2021181231A2
Application number: PCT/IB2021/051854
Authority: WO
Inventors: Randell L. Werneth; Marshall Sherman
Original assignee: Arga' Medtech Sa
Priority date: 2020-03-07
Filing date: 2021-03-05
Publication date: 2021-09-16
Also published as: WO2021181231A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to an ablation equipment (1000) for delivering non-thermal energy, particularly Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) energy, to treat target regions of tissue (41) in organs (44). The ablation equipment (1000) comprises an ablation catheter (1) and a single power source (4). The ablation catheter (1) comprises: a catheter elongated shaft (13) comprising at least an elongated shaft distal portion (17); said catheter elongated shaft (13) comprising a flexible body (27) to navigate through body vessels (208). The ablation catheter (1) further comprises a shaft ablation assembly (20) disposed at said elongated shaft distal portion (17). The shaft ablation assembly (20) comprises at least a plurality of electrodes (3, 30, 31) fixedly disposed at said elongated shaft distal portion (17). All electrodes of said at least a plurality (3, 30, 31) are electrically connected to the single power source (4). The single power source (4) is configured to generate electric voltage signals (Sa, Sb, Va, Vb) to energize each electrode for delivering the non-thermal energy to the tissue (41) to be treated. Each of said electric voltage signals (Sa, Sb, Va, Vb) is a sinusoidal wave, and the single power source (4) is configured to supply at least a first (30) and a second (31) electrodes (30, 31) that are adjacent to each other on said ablation catheter (1), with sinusoidal electric voltage signals in phase with each other or out of phase with each other to generate a unipolar electric field and/or a bipolar electric field for delivering the non-thermal energy to the tissue (41) to be treated.

Description

" Ablation equipment for delivering non-thermal energy to treat target regions of tissue in organs and control method thereof "

DESCRIPTION

[0001], Field of the invention

[0002], The present invention relates to ablation equipment or ablation assemblies to treat target regions of tissue in organs and methods for treating target regions of tissue in organs.

[0003], More particularly, the present invention relates to a combination system and method for mostly non-thermally ablating target tissue. Said tissue would be that which is either diseased such as in atrial fibrillation (or AF) patient where the cardiac cell action potential is not normal, having a slow or rapid action potential. Said tissue could also be scar tissue, tissue with low-voltage signals, tissue that is deemed necessary to ablate in order to block an refractory wave-front to stop or prevent irregular arrhythmias in patients.

[0004], The present invention provides a combination treatment system that has at least one energy delivery device, or ablation catheter, and at least one power or energy or power source, or single power source, that is capable of providing non-thermal energy, particularly IRreversible Electroporation (IRE) energy, to the energy delivery device.

[0005], Background art

[0006], Tissue ablation is used in numerous medical procedures to treat a patient. Tissue ablation can be performed to kill (remove from the normal hearts conduction system) undesired tissue such as diseased cardiac cells. Cardiac ablation procedures may also involve the modification of the tissues substrate in order to change or stop electrical function in a particular area in the chain of electrical propagation through the heart tissue in patients with an arrhythmia condition.

[0007]. In tumors, ablation is performed to kill the tumor and prevent its spread to normal healthy tissue.

[0008]. The ablation can be performed by passing energy, such as electrical energy, through one or more electrodes and causing tissue modification and/or death where the electrodes are in contact. Ablation procedures can be performed on patients with any cardiac arrhythmia such as atrial fibrillation (or AF), ventricular tachycardia (or VT) by ablating tissue in the heart.

[0009]. Mammalian organ function typically occurs when electrical activity is spontaneously generated by the SA node, the cardiac pacemaker. This electrical impulse is propagated throughout the right atrium, and through Bachmann's bundle to the left atrium, stimulating the myocardium of the atria to contract. The conduction system consists of specialized heart muscle cells. Cardiac myocardial cell has a negative membrane potential when at rest. Stimulation above a threshold value induces the opening of voltage-gated ion channels and a flood of cations into the cell. The positively charged ions entering the cell cause the depolarization characteristic of an action potential. Like skeletal muscle, depolarization causes the opening of voltage-gated calcium channels and release of Ca2+ from the t-tubules. This influx of calcium causes calcium-induced calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, and free Ca2+ causes muscle contraction. After a delay, potassium channels reopen, and the resulting flow of K+ out of the cell causes repolarization to the resting state. This transmission of electrical impulses propagates through the heart chamber. A disturbance of such electrical transmission may lead to organ malfunction. One particular area where electrical impulse transmission is critical for proper organ function is in the heart, resulting in atrial contractions which leads to the pumping of blood into the ventricles in a manner synchronous with the pulse.

[0010], Atrial fibrillation (AF) refers to a type of cardiac arrhythmia where there is disorganized electrical conduction in the atria causing rapid uncoordinated atrial contractions that result in ineffective pumping of blood into the ventricle as well as a lack of synchrony. During AF, the atrioventricular node receives electrical impulses from numerous locations throughout the atria instead of only from the sinus node. These aberrant signals overwhelm the atrioventricular node, producing an irregular and rapid heartbeat. As a result, blood may pool in the atria, increasing the likelihood of blood clot formation. The major risk factors for AF include age, coronary artery disease, rheumatic heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and thyrotoxicosis. AF affects 7% of the population over age 65.

[0011]. Atrial fibrillation treatment options are limited.

[0012], Lifestyle changes only assist individuals with lifestyle related AF. Medication therapy manages AF symptoms, often presents side effects more dangerous than AF, and fails to cure AF. Electrical cardioversion attempts to restore a normal sinus rhythm, but has a high AF recurrence rate due to disease progression. In addition, if there is a blood clot in the atria, cardioversion may cause the clot to leave the heart and travel to the brain (causing a stroke) or to some other part of the body. What are needed are new methods for treating AF and other medical conditions involving disorganized electrical conduction.

[0013], Various ablation techniques have been proposed to treat AF, including the Cox-Maze ablation procedure, linear ablation of various regions of the atrium, and circumferential ablation of pulmonary vein ostia. The Cox-Maze ablation procedure and linear ablation procedures are tedious and time-consuming, taking several hours to accomplish. Current pulmonary vein ostial ablation is proving to be effective in the short-term but ineffective long-term. All ablation procedures involve the risk of inadvertently damaging untargeted tissue, such as the esophagus while ablating tissue in the left atrium of the heart. There is therefore a need for improved atrial ablation products and techniques that create efficacious lesions in a safe manner.

[0014], Cardiology applications which could be non-thermal or nearly non-thermal ablation are vast and include treating patients with atrial fibrillation, ventricular fibrillation, septal ablation, and vascular structures diseases. The application of ablation would be more appealing if its characteristics included the ability to be tissue specific.

[0015], Cardiac ablation technology for medical treatment is known in the art and includes such treatment modalities as radiofrequency (RF), focused ultrasound, such as high intensity ultrasound beams, microwave, laser, thermal electric heating, traditional heating methods with electrodes using Direct Current (DC) or Alternating Current (AC), and application of heated fluids and cold therapies (such as cryosurgery, also known as cryotherapy or cryoablation).

[0016], In many of these procedures an energy delivery device, such as a probe with or without a needle, is inserted into a target tissue to cause destruction of a target region of a the cardiac tissue through the application of energy, such as thermal energy, non-thermal energy, and energy associated with cryoablation procedures.

[0017]. In procedures where it is necessary to deliver this energy inside the heart or organ, the insertion of the energy delivery device into the heart chamber or other organs is accomplished by an elongated catheter which is typically created from points inferior to the heart. The ablation catheter comprises an elongated shaft with a proximal portion including a proximal end and a distal end, and a distal portion with a proximal end and a distal end. The elongated shaft further comprises a shaft ablation assembly and a distal ablation assembly configured to deliver energy, such as RF and/or IRreversible Electroporation (IRE) energy, to tissue. The shaft ablation assembly is proximal to the distal end of the distal portion, and includes at least one shaft ablation element or electrode fixedly or removable attached to the shaft and configured to deliver ablation energy to tissue. The distal ablation assembly is at the distal end of the distal portion and includes at least one tip ablation element configured to deliver ablation energy to tissue.

[0018]. More recently, IRreversible Electroporation (IRE) has been used as a means to ablate cardiac tissue or organ tissue. However, though IRE can be a non-thermal method causing cell death, traditional delivery is with a Direct Current (DC) or a Square-wave pulse.

[0019]. Examples of square-wave voltage signals SW1 , SW2 that are currently used to deliver IRreversible Electroporation (IRE) energy to ablate cardiac tissue are shown in figures 6A, 6B. [0020], Particularly, a monophasic square wave voltage signal SW1 of figure 6A causes the current to travel in one-direction, from the electrode to the tissue to be treated, therefore all energy is above a reference value, similar to Direct Current. This causes cardiac muscle stimulation and requires the need for general anesthesia of the patient.

[0021], A biphasic square wave voltage signal SW2 of figure 6B causes the current to travel between two adjacent electrodes, resulting in minimal stimulation and requires only sedation.

[0022], Since both monophasic and biphasic square wave voltage signals cause significant cardiac muscle stimulation, they are not ideal for ensuring the overall safety of the subject having the ablation procedure.

[0023], Therefore, the use of an alternative solution for delivering non-thermal, irreversible electroporation energy would be highly desirable and safer for patients.

[0024], SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0025], This invention provides for a novel ablation equipment and method to delivery non-thermal energies for selectively ablating tissue.

[0026], It is a purpose of this invention, in certain embodiments, to provide a combination treatment system that has at least one energy delivery device, or ablation catheter 1 , and at least one power or energy or power source, or single power source 4, that is capable of providing non thermal energy, particularly IRE energy, to the energy delivery device.

[0027]. It is a purpose of this invention, in certain embodiments, to provide a method which involves providing application of Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) energy to ablate and or treat tissue 41 and treatment of tissue with an non-thermal form to effectively non-thermally ablate tissue. The method can involve providing at least one energy source which has at least a non-thermal energy source 4 and powered by a rechargeable battery or by an AC wall source. The at least one energy source, positioning via a catheter 1 at least a portion of the at least one catheter within a desired region of a heart 43 or organ 44, selectively coupling the at least one catheter 1 and electrodes 3, 30, 31 to the non-thermal energy source 4, selectively energizing the non-thermal energy source 4 to apply non- thermal therapy from the non-thermal energy source to at least a portion of the desired region to ablate at least a portion of the desired region, withdrawing the at least one catheter 1 from the desired region.

[0028]. As such, the present invention utilizes sinusoidal wave in such a way as to deliver timed high voltage electrical energy which causes the same cell effect similar to that of square-wave pulsed electric field ablation.

The therapy targets the tissue with therapy being delivered in the range of microseconds to milliseconds that can lead to near non-thermally produced defects in the cell membrane that are nanoscale in size, without stimulating the cardiac muscle, without causing un-wanted arrhythmias, muscles stimulations and with a high level of selectivity and patient safety as compared to the negative effects of DC or square waves.

[0029]. The Sinusoidal wave Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) leads to a disruption of homeostasis of the cell membrane, thereby causing irreversible cell membrane permeabilization which induces cell necrosis, without raising the temperature of the tissue ablation zone. During IRE ablation, connective tissue and scaffolding structures are spared, thus allowing the surrounding organs, structures, blood vessels, and connective tissue to remain intact. With near non-thermal Ablation for irreversible electroporation, cell death is mediated through a non-thermal mechanism, so the heat sink problem associated with many ablation techniques is nullified. Therefore, the invention has the advantages of IRE to allow focused treatment with tissue sparing and without thermal effects.

[0030], According to alternative embodiments, there are also advantages of utilizing thermal ablation during treatment procedures. Prior to the disclosure of this invention, an invention had not been proposed that could solve the problems of non-thermally ablating a target region of cardiac or organ 44 tissue 41 using a sinusoidal wave, while maintaining integrity of the surrounding tissue, and effectively switching to a device for effectively thermally ablating tissue along the ablation track. In certain proposed embodiments, an energy delivery device or catheter 1 can be utilized that is powered by a single energy source 4 that is capable of application of energy in various forms, and subsequently ablating a tissue track during a medical procedure for the treatment of arrhythmias using the same energy delivery device 1 that can be powered by a different source (AC or Battery) of energy from the same generator 4, to maximize procedure efficiencies. As indicated, Sinusoidal IRE provides advantages for non-thermal cell death without cardiac muscle stimulation experienced in square-waves PEF.

[0031], According to alternative embodiments, it is a purpose of this invention, to provide a high voltage sinusoidal wave pulsed electric field treatment system that has at least one energy/power delivery source 4 for each single or paired electrode(s) 3, 30, 31 on the catheter 1. The at least one power or energy or power source 4 that is capable of providing a sinusoidal IRE energy to the catheters electrode(s) 3, 30, 31.

The at least one energy delivery device 1 can be either a unipolar/bipolar, monopolar/bipolar device. The system can have at least one manual or automatic switching device for switching the energy or power modes utilized between any one or more electrodes 3, 30, 31 or any combination (and adjustable ratios) in between full monopolar and/or/ unipolar and full biphasic and/or bipolar. [0032], According to alternative embodiments, it is a purpose of this invention to provide a combination treatment system that has at least one energy delivery device 1 and at least one power or energy or power source 4 that is capable of providing sinusoidal IRE energy and thermal energy to the energy delivery device. The system can either switch full monopolar and/or/ unipolar and full biphasic and/or bipolar, combine full monopolar and/or/ unipolar and full biphasic and/or bipolar. [0033], According to alternative embodiments, it is a further purpose of this invention to provide a method that involves using non-thermal Sinusoidal IRE energy and thermal energy to effectively ablate target regions of tissue 41. The method involves positioning at least one energy delivery device 1 that is coupled to a single power source 4 within a target region of a tissue, applying Sinusoidal IRE energy from the power source 4 to the energy delivery device 1 which is used to ablate a target region of tissue 41 , while preventing damage to surrounding structures, then switching from Sinusoidal IRE energy to thermal energy using the same power source, and positioning the energy delivery device 1 while ablating said tissue with thermal energy, such as RF energy, to allow for focal tissue ablation and the safe energy delivery used during the treatment procedure, while among other things, coagulating tissue and preventing bleeding.

[0034], According to a preferred embodiment, a constant voltage source Vcc is utilized for all singular or pairs of Pulsed Electric Field (electrodes) and adjustment of the phase angle of the applied (sinusoidal wave) voltage produces different ratios of simultaneous and/or cumulative unipolar and bipolar energy delivered such as to create non-thermal varied length and depth lesions in the tissue 41 of a patient.

[0035], According to another preferred embodiment, a constant voltage source is utilized for all pairs of IRE outputs 202 and adjustment of the phase relationship between source produces different ratios of simultaneous and/or cumulative unipolar and bipolar energy delivered such as to create tissue selective non-thermal varied length and depth lesions in the tissue 41 of a patient. In this embodiment, the pulsed duration used during voltage delivery may be fixed, or alternatively it may be varied such as a configuration in which a minimal pulse time is used which incrementally increases to reach a tissue selective non-thermal target tissue ablation. In this embodiment, the phase shift may be fixed, such as fixed at 90° or 180° phase shift to create the bipolar energy.

[0036], In yet another preferred embodiment, varying the pulse duration “on” time of bipolar and/or unipolar voltage delivery is utilized for all pairs of IRE outputs and adjustment of this duration produces different cumulative unipolar and bipolar IRE energy delivered such as to create varied tissue selective non-thermal length and depth lesions in the tissue of a patient. The phase difference between the bipolar fields (or combined unipolar-bipolar fields) to unipolar fields may be adjusted to achieve a desired voltage of bipolar-unipolar ratio. Alternatively or additionally, the pulse duration within the bipolar fields (or combined unipolar-bipolar fields) and the unipolar fields may be adjusted to achieve the desired power level and/or bipolar-unipolar ratio to the tissue. Alternatively or additionally, the pulsed fields length of the bipolar fields (or combined unipolar-bipolar fields) and the unipolar fields may be adjusted.

[0037]. The IRE generators of the present invention may employ one or more energy delivery algorithms to control voltage delivery. In a preferred embodiment, an algorithm would provide voltage at a fixed level, such as a maximum voltage, changing the number of pulses and pulse duration until the tissue to be ablated is no longer electrically conductive. For tissue that is conductive, not yet thoroughly ablated, the system will provide visual feedback to the operator. Target tissue ECG levels and/or threshold bio signals are monitored by the system but also adjustable by an operator of the system (manual or automatic). In another preferred embodiment, an algorithm employs a main control loop based on a power absorption differential analysis and a secondary control loop based on a ECG signal comparison to baseline.

[0038]. In another embodiment, the system and method include closed loop voltage delivery for each IRE output including a PID control loop which receives information from an electrode on the ablation catheter such as to provide closed loop energy delivery based on measured and analyzed bio-signals. Voltage delivery may be pulsed controlled to improve tissue selective non-thermal lesion creation efficiency, safer ablations over RF or square wave supplies. Pulsed durations allows delivery of high peak powers while providing precise timed pulses as to not heat the tissue and/or cause harmful effects to non-targeted tissue. In addition, pulsed duration control simplifies design and control of multiple IRE outputs utilizing different phase angles. Pulsed durations cycle energy delivery also improves data acquisition as data can be acquired during the off portion of the pulse (i.e., during the IRE “off time”). The system and method including bio-signal acquisition provide fast, accurate and electrically-isolated ECG, Bio-signals acquisition for all electrodes. Each catheter electrode may include a small mass filter/digital converter. The system and method provide safe, controlled energy delivery.

[0039]. In yet another preferred embodiment, the IRE generator includes a first set of ablation parameters that are utilized when a first form of ablation catheter is attached to the IRE outputs and a second set of ablation parameters that are utilized when a second form of ablation catheter is attached to the IRE outputs.

[0040]. In yet another preferred embodiment, the IRE generator includes an improved ECG interface for connecting the IRE outputs to an ECG diagnostic device. When one or more ablation catheters 1 are attached to the IRE generator 4, the electrodes of the ablation catheter are electrically attached to the IRE outputs of the IRE generator. The IRE generator is powered by battery, the battery is not connected to the walls AC power supply. This means, the IRE generator does not have to filter the AC noise from the wall, the IRE battery powered generator is fully isolated. This will improve ECG signals coming from the patient due to no AC noise/interference.

[0041], According to another aspect of the invention, a system for performing an tissue selective non-thermal ablation procedure is described. In a preferred embodiment, one or more non-thermal ablation catheters are provided with an IRE generator of the present invention. In another preferred embodiment, a wireless remote control is provided with the IRE generator of the present invention. [0042], According to alternative embodiments, a system for selectively ablating tissue 41 is provided herein that has at least one energy source 4 that has a energy source, at least one catheter 1 , a means for selectively coupling the catheters electrodes 3, 30, 31 to either ground or to each other. Means for selectively energizing the electrodes to at least one energy source to apply sinusoidal voltage pulses energy to at least a portion of the desired region to ablate at least a portion of the desired region, and means for selectively energizing any one or combinations of catheter electrodes. [0043], A unique multi-electrode and multi-functional ablation catheter 1 and ablation catheter systems and methods are provided which map and ablate myocardial tissue within the heart chambers of a patient. Any electrocardiogram signal site (e.g. a site with aberrant signals) or combination of multiple sites that are discovered with this placement may be ablated. In alternative embodiments, the ablation catheters and systems may be used to treat non-cardiac patient tissue, such as tumor tissue, renal artery nerves, etc.

[0044], According to a first aspect of the invention, an probe or an ablation catheter 1 for performing a medical procedure on a patient is provided. The ablation catheter 1 comprises an elongated shaft 13 with a proximal portion 14 including a proximal end 15 and a distal end 16, and a distal portion 17 with a proximal end 18 and a distal end 19. The elongated shaft further comprises a shaft ablation assembly 20 and a distal ablation assembly 21 configured to deliver energy, such as Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) energy to tissue. The shaft ablation assembly 20 is proximal to the distal end 19 of the distal portion 17, and includes at least one shaft ablation element 3, 30, 31 fixedly or removable attached to the shaft and configured to deliver ablation energy to tissue 41. The distal ablation assembly 21 is at the distal end of the distal portion and includes at least one tip ablation element 23 configured to deliver ablation energy to tissue.

[0045], According to alternative embodiments, the distal portion of the catheter 1 is fabricated to be in a forward facing circular configuration and can deflected in one or more directions, in one or more deflection shapes and geometries 24.

The deflection geometries 24 may be similar or symmetric deflection geometries, or the deflection geometries may be dissimilar or asymmetric deflection geometries. The shaft 13 may include one or more steering wires configured to deflect the distal portion in the one or more deflection directions. The catheter deflection can also occur by placing or removing a shape setting center mandrel 26. The elongated shaft 13 may include difference is the stiffness of the shaft along its length. The elongated shaft may include a shape setting mandrel 26 within the shaft, the shape setting mandrel configured to perform or enhance the deflection (steering and shape) of the distal portion 17, such as to maintain deflections in a single plane. The shaft may include variable material properties such as an asymmetric joint between two portions, an integral member within a wall or fixedly attached to the shaft, a variable braid, or other variation used to create multiple deflections, such as deflections with asymmetric deflection geometries.

[0046], In another preferred embodiment, the location on the catheter that transitions from circular to linear is a mechanical elbow/wrist. It can be articulated from the proximal end of the catheter 1 such as to cause the distal section to go from straight or curved on a single plane, to straight or curved on a 3D plane or perpendicular to the shaft. The mechanical elbow/wrist can be heat activated.

[0047]. In another preferred embodiment, the distal ablation assembly 21 may be fixedly attached to the distal end of the distal portion, or it may be advanceable from the distal shaft, such as via a control port. The distal ablation assembly 21 may comprise a single ablation element, such as an electrode, or multiple ablation elements 32. The distal ablation assembly may include a shape setting mandrel carrier assembly of ablation elements, and the shape setting mandrel carrier assembly may be changeable from a compact geometry to an expanded geometry, such transition caused by advancement and/or retraction of a control shaft.

[0048]. The shaft ablation assembly 20 may include a single ablation element or multiple ablation elements 3, 30, 31, for example five to ten ablation elements fixedly attached to the shaft or shape setting mandrel. The ablation elements may have a profile that is flush with the surface of the shaft, or the shaft between the electrode elements outer diameter is slightly smaller than the diameter of the ablation electrodes such that the distal end of the catheter is more flexible.

[0049]. The ablation elements of the present invention can deliver one or more forms of energy, for example RF and/or Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) energy. The ablation elements may have similar or dissimilar construction, and may be constructed in various sizes and geometries. The ablation elements may include one or more thermocouples, such as two thermocouples mounted 90° from each other on the inside of an ablation element. The ablation elements may include means of dissipating heat, such as increased surface area. In a preferred embodiment, one or more ablation elements is configured in a tubular geometry, and the wall thickness to outer diameter approximates a 1 :15 ratio. In another preferred embodiment, one or more ablation elements is configured to record, or map electrical activity in tissue such as mapping of cardiac electro-grams. In yet another preferred embodiment, one or more ablation elements is configured to deliver pacing energy, such as to energy delivered to pace the heart of a patient.

[0050], The ablation catheters 3, 30, 31 of the present invention may be used to treat one or more medical conditions by delivering ablation energy to tissue 41. Conditions include an arrhythmia of the heart, cancer, and other conditions in which removing or denaturing tissue improves the patient’s health.

[0051], According to another aspect of the invention, a kit 300 of ablation catheters is provided. A first ablation catheter 1 has a distal portion which can be deflected in at least two symmetric geometries. A second ablation catheter T has a distal portion which can be deflected in at least two asymmetric geometries.

[0052], According to another aspect of the invention, a method of treating proximal, persistent or long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation is provided. An ablation catheter 1 included in the equipment of the present invention may be placed in the coronary sinus of the patient, such as to map electro grams and/or ablate tissue, and subsequently placed in the left or right atrium to map electro-grams and/or ablate tissue. The ablation catheter 1 may be placed to ablate one or more tissue locations including but not limited to: fasicals around a pulmonary vein; the left atrial roof, and the mitral isthmus.

[0053], According to another aspect of the invention, a method of treating atrial flutter is provided. An ablation catheter 1 included in the equipment of the present invention may be used to achieve bi directional block, such as by placement in one or more locations in the right atrium of the heart.

[0054], According to another aspect of the invention, a method of ablating tissue in the right atrium of the heart is provided. An ablation catheter 1 included in the equipment of the present invention may be used to: create lesions between the superior vena cava and the inferior vena cava; the coronary sinus and the inferior vena cava; the superior vena cava and the coronary sinus; and combinations of these. The catheter can be used to map electro-grams and/or map and/or ablate the sinus node, such as to treat sinus node tachycardia.

[0055], According to another aspect of the invention, a method of treating ventricular tachycardia is provided. An ablation catheter 1 included in the equipment of the present invention may be placed in the left or right ventricles of the heart, induce ventricular tachycardia by delivering pacing energy, and ablating tissue to treat the patient.

[0056], According to another aspect of the invention, an ablation catheter with a first geometry larger than a second deflection geometry is provided via the shape setting mandrel. The ablation catheter is placed in the smaller second shape geometry to ablate one or more of the following tissue locations: left atrial septum; tissue adjacent the left atrial septum; and tissue adjacent the left atrial posterior wall. The ablation catheter is placed in the larger first geometry to ablate at least the circumference around the pulmonary veins.

[0057]. According to another aspect of the invention, an ablation catheter 1 of the present invention is used to treat both the left and right atria of a heart. The catheter is configured to transition to a geometry with a first shape setting mandrel and/or deflection geometry and a second shape setting mandrel and/or deflection geometry, where the first geometry is different than the second geometry. The catheter is used to ablate tissue in the right atrium using at least the first geometry and also ablate tissue in the left atrium using at least the second geometry.

[0058]. According to a first aspect of the invention, a catheter for performing a medical procedure on a patient is provided. The catheter 1 comprises an elongated shaft 13 with a proximal portion including a proximal end and a distal end, and a distal portion with a proximal end and a distal end. The catheter further comprises a shape setting mandrel and/or deflection assembly configured to shape the distal portion in a first direction in a first geometry and a second direction in a second geometry, wherein the first and second geometries are different. The catheter further includes a functional element fixedly mounted to the distal portion.

[0059]. Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to provide an ablation equipment 1000 having structural and functional features such as to meet the aforementioned needs and overcome the drawbacks mentioned above with reference to the solutions of the prior art.

[0060]. These and other objects are achieved by an ablation equipment according to claim 1 and a method for controlling at least a plurality of electrodes in an ablation equipment according to claim 24. [0061]. Some advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0062]. Drawings

[0063]. Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description provided below of exemplary embodiment thereof, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0064]. - Figure 1 shows schematically an ablation equipment for delivering non-thermal energy to treat target regions of tissue in organs according to the present invention, wherein the ablation equipment comprises an ablation catheter and a single power source; [0065], - Figure 2 shows a block diagram of the single power source of the ablation equipment of figure 1 comprising a single control unit and a power unit;

[0066], - Figures 3A and 3B show schematically an ablation equipment for delivering non-thermal energy to treat target regions of tissue in organs according to the present invention, wherein the equipment comprises a first and a second electrodes positionable either on or near the tissue to be treated, and a single power source, this single power source being configured to supply both electrodes, respectively, with electrical sine-waves voltage signals “in phase” or with electrical sine- waves voltage signals “out of phase”;

[0067]. - Figure 4 shows schematically a plurality of electrodes electrically supplied by the single power source of equipment of figure 1 , wherein said electrodes are operatively associated to a catheter and positionable either on or near a myocardial tissue to be treated, and are configured to deliver combined bi-polar and uni-polar voltages or alternating uni-polar and bi-polar voltage fields; [0068]. - Figures 5A and 5B show, as a function of time, examples of electrical sine-waves voltage signals “in phase” or electrical sine-waves voltage signals “out of phase”;

[0069]. - Figures 6A and 6B show, as a function of time, examples of square-wave PEF signals, respectively monophasic and biphasic, known in the art;

[0070]. - Figure 7 is a perspective view of an ablation catheter that can be used in the ablation equipment of the invention, having an elongated shaft, and a shape setting mandrel disposed within the ablation catheter;

[0071]. - Figure 8 shows the ablation catheter of figure 1 , wherein the elongated shaft and the steering device are omitted, to show the shape setting mandrel partially inserted into the handle, wherein the shape setting mandrel has a bend preformed configuration;

[0072]. - Figure 9 is a perspective view of an ablation catheter that can be used in the ablation equipment of the invention, having an elongated shaft, and a shape setting mandrel having a circular preformed configuration disposed with its distal portion beyond a distal end of the elongated shaft; [0073]. - Figure 10 is a perspective view of a distal portion of an ablation catheter that can be used in the ablation equipment of the invention, having an elongated shaft, and a shape setting mandrel having a circular preformed configuration disposed with its distal portion beyond a distal end of the elongated shaft, and wherein a distal portion of the elongated shaft is deflected in a deflection direction, wherein the shape setting mandrel comprises a plurality of mandrel electrodes disposed along its length, and the elongated shaft comprises a plurality of shaft electrodes;

[0074]. - Figures 11A-11C shows a shape setting mandrel respectively in a loaded straight configuration, in a preformed circular configuration, and in a preformed circular and bent configuration; [0075]. - Figures 12A-12B and 13A-13B show a plurality of shape setting mandrels having different preformed configurations;

[0076]. - Figures 14A, 14B and 15 shows a shape setting mandrel respectively in a preformed circular and bent configuration and in a loaded straight configuration, and the shape setting mandrel in the preformed circular and bent configuration disposed within an ablation catheter;

[0077]. - Figure 16 shows an ablation catheter according to the present invention disposed within an heart, wherein a shape setting mandrel is fully inserted in a distal portion of the ablation catheter shaft; [0078]. - Figure 17 shows a radiography of an ablation catheter according to the present invention, wherein a catheter distal portion is shape set as a pre-formed configuration of a shape setting catheter fully inserted into the catheter distal portion;

[0079]. - Figure 18 shows a section side view of different ablation catheters and different shape setting mandrels disposed within the ablation catheter, and a shape setting mandrel having a rounded distal end;

[0080]. - Figure 19 shows an example of operation of the ablation equipment of the invention to generate monopolar electric filed from each electrode with a ground electrode;

[0081]. - Figure 20 shows an example of operation of the ablation equipment of the invention to generate both a monopolar electric filed from each electrode with a ground electrode and a bipolar electric field between two adjacent electrodes;

[0082]. - Figure 21 shows a flux diagram of a method for ablation with an ablation assembly of the present invention;

[0083]. - Figure 22 shows an ablation kit comprising at least an ablation catheter and a set of shape setting mandrels;

[0084]. - Figure 23 shows an ablation catheter kit comprising a first ablation catheter and a second ablation catheter having different deflection configurations.

[0085]. The same or similar elements are indicated in the drawings by the same reference numeral. [0086]. Description of some preferred embodiments

[0087]. The present invention can be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description, examples, drawing, and their previous and following description. However, before the present devices, systems, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, systems, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified, as such can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0088]. The following description of the invention is provided as an enabling teaching of the invention in its best, currently known embodiment. To this end, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate that many changes can be made to the various aspects of the invention described herein, while still obtaining the beneficial results of the present invention. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present invention can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the present invention without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the present invention are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the present invention. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present invention and not in limitation thereof.

[0089]. The term "distal" is understood to mean away from a medical practitioner and towards the body site at which the procedure is performed, and "proximal" means towards the medical practitioner and away from the body site.

[0090], In accordance with a general embodiment, with reference to figures 1 , 2, 3A-3B, 4, 5A-5B, an ablation equipment 1000 for delivering non-thermal energy to treat target regions of tissue 41 in organs 44, comprises an ablation catheter 1 and a single power source 4.

[0091]. The ablation catheter 1 comprises a catheter elongated shaft 13 comprising at least an elongated shaft distal portion 17.

[0092]. The catheter elongated shaft 13 comprises a flexible body 27 to navigate through body vessels 208.

[0093]. The ablation catheter 1 further comprises a shaft ablation assembly 20 disposed at said elongated shaft distal portion 17. Said shaft ablation assembly 20 comprises at least a plurality of electrodes 3, 30, 31 fixedly disposed at said elongated shaft distal portion 17.

[0094]. Particularly, the example of figure 1 shows six electrodes 3, 30, 31 fixedly disposed at said elongated shaft distal portion 17.

[0095]. In a preferred embodiment, the biological tissue 41 to be treated is a cardiac tissue.

[0096]. All electrodes of said at least a plurality 3, 30, 31 are electrically connected to the single power source 4, particularly with six wires 9.

[0097]. The single power source 4 is configured to generate electric voltage signals Sa, Sb, Va, Vb to energize each electrode 3, 30, 31 for delivering the non-thermal energy to the tissue 41 to be treated, i.e. to apply voltage electric fields to the tissue 41 through the electrodes.

[0098]. In addition, the electronic equipment 1000 comprises a further electrode 5 acting as a patient return electrode for the voltage electrical fields applied to the tissue 41. Particularly, this patient return electrode 5 or backplate is electrically connected to the single power source 4 through a respective return wire 6.

[0099]. Advantageously, each of said electric voltage signals Sa, Sb, Va, Vb is a sinusoidal wave, and the single power source 4 is configured to supply at least a first 30 and a second 31 electrodes, that are adjacent to each other on the ablation catheter 1, with sinusoidal electric voltage signals in phase with each other or out of phase with each other to generate a unipolar electric field and/or a bipolar electric field for delivering the non-thermal energy to the tissue 41 to be treated.

[00100], In accordance with an embodiment, the non-thermal energy is IRreversible Electroporation, IRE, energy.

[00101], With the present invention, the Applicant proposes the use of an electric voltage signal Sa, Sb, Va, Vb for ablating the tissue 41 that consists of a sine-wave, in such a way as to deliver timed high voltage electrical energy which causes the same cell effect similar to that of square- wave pulsed electric field ablation.

[00102], In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the single power source 4 is configured to supply the at least a first 30 and a second 31 electrodes with a first Sa and a second Sb sinusoidal electric voltage signals, respectively. The first Sa sinusoidal electric voltage signal has a phase difference F with the second Sb sinusoidal electric voltage signal equal to 0 degrees to generate a unipolar electric field from each of said first 30 and second 31 electrodes to the patient return electrode 5 for delivering unipolar non-thermal energy only to the tissue 41 to be treated.

[00103], In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the single power source 4 is configured to supply the at least a first 30 and a second 31 electrodes with a further first Va and a further second Vb sinusoidal electric voltage signals, respectively. The further first Va sinusoidal electric voltage signal having a phase difference F with the further second Vb sinusoidal electric voltage signal that can be varied from 0 degrees to 180 degrees to generate both a unipolar electric field from each of said first 30 and second 31 electrodes to the patient return electrode 5 and to generate a bipolar electric field between said first 30 and second 31 electrodes for delivering simultaneously unipolar and bipolar non-thermal energy to the tissue 41 to be treated.

[00104], In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the phase difference F between said further first Va and further second Vb sinusoidal electric voltage signals is 180 degrees to generate a bipolar electric field between said first 30 and second 31 electrodes for delivering bipolar non-thermal energy only to the tissue 41 to be treated.

[00105], In accordance with an alternative embodiment, a phase difference F between said further first Va and further second Vb sinusoidal electric voltage signals is 90 degrees to generate a bipolar electric field between said first 30 and second 31 electrodes which is double the unipolar electric field generated from each of said first 30 and second 31 electrodes to the patient return electrode 5. [00106], In accordance with an alternative embodiment, a peak-to-peak mean amplitude of each sinusoidal electric voltage signal Sa, Sb, Va, Vb is in the range of 500 V to 5000 V, preferably the peak-to-peak mean amplitude is 3500 V.

[00107], In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the single power source 4 is configured to supply the at least a first 30 and a second 31 electrodes with sinusoidal electric voltage signals to generate alternatively a unipolar electric field or a bipolar electric field by time division multiplexing for delivering the non-thermal energy to the tissue 41 to be treated.

[00108], In more detail, the single power source 4 of equipment 1000 of the invention can operate to deliver IRE energy according to a sequence of three types of voltage delivery that repeats.

[00109], In case of unipolar voltage only: voltage is applied from each electrode 3, 30, 31 to patient return electrode 5; this first step is followed by an off-period.

[00110], In case of unipolar and bipolar voltage combined: in a first step voltage is applied from each electrode 3, 30, 31 to patient return electrode 5; this first step is followed by a second step in which voltage is applied across two adjacent electrodes; both steps are followed by an off period. [00111], According to an embodiment, by choosing the different combined, the ratio between bipolar and unipolar can be varied from 4 to 1 to all uni-polar.

[00112], By switching off the connection to the return electrode 5 in the ablation equipment 1000, and setting the phase shift of voltages Va and Vb to 180 degrees an all bi-polar mode can be produced.

[00113], In accordance with an alternative embodiment, with reference to figure 2, the single power source 4 comprises a single control unit 200 and a power unit 201 for generating said sinusoidal electric voltage signals Sa, Sb, Va, Vb. The power unit 201 is electrically connected to all electrodes of said plurality of electrodes 3, 30, 31.

[00114], In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the first Sa and second Sb sinusoidal electric voltage signals “in phase” are supplied to the at least first 30 and second 31 electrodes during a first voltage delivery time interval T1. Figure 5A shows the first voltage delivery time interval T1 including a single period of signals Sa, Sb, but the first voltage delivery time interval T1 could comprise several periods of these signals.

[00115], The single control unit 200 is configured to drive the power unit 201 to modify the duration of said first voltage delivery time interval T 1 to change the level of the unipolar non-thermal energy delivered to the tissue 41 to be treated.

[00116], In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the further first Va and further second Vb sinusoidal electric voltage signals “out of phase” are supplied to the at least first 30 and second 31 electrodes during a second voltage delivery time interval T2. Figure 5B shows the second voltage delivery time interval T2 including a single period of signals Va, Vb, but the second voltage delivery time interval T2 could comprise several periods of these signals.

[00117]. The single control unit 200 is configured to drive the power unit 201 to modify the duration of said second voltage delivery time interval T2 to change the level of the unipolar and/or unipolar and bipolar non-thermal energy delivered to the tissue 41 to be treated.

[00118]. In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the power unit 201 comprises one or more power modules 202 equal to each other, each power module being controlled by the single control unit 200 for generating said sinusoidal electric voltage signals Sa, Sb, Va, Vb starting from a constant supply voltage signal Vcc provided by the single control unit 200.

[00119]. In accordance with an alternative embodiment, each power module 202 comprises:

- a drive circuit block 203 controlled by the single control unit 200 for generating said sinusoidal electric voltage signals Sa, Sb, Va, Vb starting from the constant supply voltage signal Vcc provided by the single control unit 200;

- a selecting block 204 selectively controlled by said drive circuit block 203 to change continuously the electric energy level associated to said signals Sa, Sb, Va, Vb;

- a filtering and electrical isolation block 205, 205’, 206.

[00120]. In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the single control unit 200 comprises: a Microprocessor 207 configured to control a variable High Voltage Power Supply block 208 and a Programmable Logic Controller block 209; said variable High Voltage Power Supply block 208 is configured to provide the supply voltage signal Vcc to the power module 202 for generating the sinusoidal electric voltage signals Sa, Sb, Va, Vb; said Programmable Logic Controller block 209 is configured to generate drive signals to control a drive circuit block 203 of the power module 202.

The single control unit 200 further comprises: a Video interface and Push Button block 210, 210’ controlled by the Microprocessor 207 to set parameters of the ablation equipment 1000 and display the selected parameters; a Watch Dog block 211 for controlling proper functioning of the Microprocessor 207; an Audio interface block 212 for providing audio information representative of correctness of the ablation process and/or errors occurred.

[00121]. In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the single power source 4 is powered by a rechargeable battery or is connected to a standard wall outlet of an AC electrical power grid capable of producing 110 volts or 240 volts.

[00122], In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the single power source 4 comprises an Electrocardiogram, ECG, interface 7 configured to connect the power unit 201 to an ECG diagnostic device.

[00123], In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the single power source 4 comprises a wireless communication interface 8 connected to the single control unit 200 to allow the control unit to be remotely controlled.

[00124], In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the power unit 201 comprises one or more power modules 202 equal to each other. Particularly, with reference to the example of figure 2, the power unit 201 comprises six power modules 202.

[00125], At least one of said electrodes 3, 30, 31 is a monopolar electrode and said monopolar electrode of said plurality of electrodes is electrically connected to only one power module 202 of said power unit 201.

[00126], At least two of said electrodes 3, 30, 31 are electrically connected to form bipolar electrodes, and said bipolar electrodes of said plurality of electrodes are electrically connected separately to respective power module 202 selectable among the power modules of the power unit 201.

[00127], In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the single control unit 200 is configured to drive the power unit 201 to modify the frequencies of said sinusoidal electric voltage signals Sa, Sb, Va, Vb to change the level of the unipolar and/or unipolar and bipolar non-thermal energy delivered to the tissue 41.

[00128], In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the power unit 201 is driven by the single control unit 200 to change the electric energy level associated to the voltage signals Sa, Sb, Va, Vb to be supplied to the electrodes 3, 30, 31 to switch from the non-thermal energy to a thermal energy, particularly Radio Frequency, RF, energy and vice-versa.

[00129], In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the single control unit 200 drives the power unit 201 for generating said sinusoidal electric voltage signals Sa, Sb, Va, Vb by using a Proportional-Integral-Derivative, PID, control loop which receives information from at least an electrode 3, 30, 31 on the ablation catheter 1 and from the ECG diagnostic device through the ECG interface 7 such as to provide closed loop energy delivery based on measured and analyzed bio-signals.

[00130], In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the at least an electrode 3, 30, 31 on the ablation catheter 1 comprises a mass filter/digital converter to measure said bio-signals to be provided to the single control unit 200.

[00131]. In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the single control unit 200 drives the power unit 201 for generating said sinusoidal electric voltage signals Sa, Sb, Va, Vb according to a first set of ablation parameters when a first type of ablation catheter 1 is connected to the single power source 4 and according to a second set of ablation parameters when a second type of ablation catheter 1’ is connected to the single power source 4.

[00132], In accordance with an alternative embodiment, with reference to figures 7-23, the ablation catheter 1 comprises an elongated shaft 13 having a longitudinal main direction X-X. The elongated shaft 13 comprises at least a shaft distal portion 17, said shaft distal portion 17 comprising a shaft distal portion distal end 19.

[00133], The ablation catheter 1 comprises an inner lumen arranged within the elongated shaft 13. [00134], The ablation catheter 1 comprises a shaft ablation assembly 20 fixedly disposed at said shaft distal portion 17, the shaft ablation assembly 20 being configured to deliver non-thermal energy, particularly IRE energy, for treating said tissue 41.

[00135], The ablation equipment 1000 comprises at least a shape setting mandrel 26 disposed within the ablation catheter 1. The shape setting mandrel 26 is insertable within the inner lumen and removable from the inner lumen. The shape setting mandrel 26 is free to move in respect of the inner lumen avoiding any constraint with said shaft distal portion 17 during the shape setting mandrel insertion.

[00136], The shape setting mandrel 26 comprises at least a pre-shaped configuration and the shape setting mandrel 26 is reversibly deformable between at least a straight loaded configuration and said pre-shaped configuration.

[00137], When the shape setting mandrel 26 is fully inserted in the shaft distal portion 17, the shape setting mandrel 26 is configured to shape set said shaft distal portion 17 with said pre-shaped configuration.

[00138], In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the shaft distal portion 17 is elastically deformable, and/or when the shape setting mandrel 26 is fully inserted in the shaft distal portion 17, said shaft distal portion 17 is configured to conform to said pre-shaped configuration.

[00139], In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the shape setting mandrel 26 is fully inserted in the shaft distal portion 17, said shape setting mandrel 26 deform said shaft distal portion 17 at least in a shaft distal portion plane P.

[00140], In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the ablation catheter 1 comprises a catheter bend portion 120 proximal to the shaft ablation assembly 20, wherein said catheter bend portion 120 is configured to realize an elbow that steer said shaft distal portion plane P with respect to said longitudinal main direction X-X.

[00141]. In accordance with an alternative embodiment, when the shape setting mandrel 26 is fully inserted in the shaft distal portion 17, the shaft distal portion 17 takes a circular configuration.

[00142], In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the shape setting mandrel 26 comprises a mandrel elastic body 119 capable to deform into at least said straight loaded configuration and to return to said pre-shaped configuration,

[00143], and/or the shape setting mandrel 26 is made of at least a shape memory alloy;

[00144], and/or the ablation equipment 1000 comprises a mandrel heating element coupled to said shape setting mandrel 26, wherein said heating element is configured to apply heat to said shape setting mandrel 26 so that the shape setting mandrel 26 changes shape configuration from said loaded straight configuration to said pre-shaped configuration.

[00145], In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the shaft distal portion 17 is deflectable in one or more directions, in one or more deflections shapes and geometries 24.

[00146], In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the shape setting mandrel 26 in the pre shaped configuration is configured to maintain the deflections of the shaft distal portion 17 in a single plane, and/or the deflection directions are symmetric deflection geometries or asymmetric deflection geometries 24.

[00147], In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the ablation catheter 1 comprises an elongated shaft 13 with a proximal portion 14 including a shaft proximal end 15 and a distal end 16, and a distal portion 17 with a proximal end 18 and a distal end 19. In accordance with an alternative embodiment, said ablation catheter 1 comprises a steering device 144 attached to said shaft proximal end 15.

[00148], In accordance with an alternative embodiment, said ablation catheter 1 comprises an handle 103, wherein said steering device 144 is connected to said handle 103.

[00149], The elongated shaft 13 further comprises a distal ablation assembly 21 configured to deliver energy, such as RF and/or Irreversible Electroporation energy, to the tissue 41.

[00150], In accordance with an alternative embodiment, said shape setting mandrel 26 in said pre shaped configuration comprises a mandrel bend portion 146, and when said shape setting mandrel 26 is fully inserted in said shaft distal portion 17, said mandrel bend portion 146 is disposed in correspondence of said catheter bend portion 120 performing said catheter bend portion 120.

[00151], In accordance with an alternative embodiment, said distal ablation assembly 21 is fixedly disposed at a mandrel distal portion 139. [00152], In accordance with an alternative embodiment, said distal ablation assembly 21 comprises a plurality of mandrel electrodes 32, wherein said mandrel electrodes 32 are axially spaced along said mandrel distal portion 139.

[00153], In accordance with an alternative embodiment, said mandrel electrodes 32 comprise at least a tip ablation element 23.

[00154], The present invention furthermore refers to a method for controlling at least a plurality of electrodes 3, 30, 31 in an ablation equipment 1000 for delivering non-thermal energy, particularly IRE energy, to treat target regions of tissue 41 in organs 44, wherein the ablation equipment 1000 comprises an ablation catheter 1 and a single power source 4.

[00155], The method comprises the following steps:

-generating by the single power source 4 electric voltage signals Sa, Sb, Va, Vb to energize each electrode of the at least a plurality of electrodes 3, 30, 31 , wherein each of said electric voltage signals Sa, Sb, Va, Vb is a sinusoidal wave; and - supplying, by the single power source 4, at least a first 30 and a second 31 electrodes that are adjacent to each other on said ablation catheter 1 , with sinusoidal electric voltage signals in phase with each other or out of phase with each other to generate a unipolar electric field and/or a bipolar electric field to be delivered to the tissue 41 to be treated.

[00156], In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of:

[00157], - supplying, by the single power source 4, the at least a first 30 and a second 31 electrodes with a first Sa and a second Sb sinusoidal electric voltage signals, respectively, the first Sa sinusoidal electric voltage signal having a phase difference F with the second Sb sinusoidal electric voltage signal equal to 0 degrees;

[00158], - generating a unipolar electric field from each of said first 30 and second 31 electrodes to a patient return electrode 5 for delivering unipolar non-thermal energy only to the tissue 41 to be treated.

[00159], In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of:

[00160], - supplying, by the single power source 4, the at least a first 30 and a second 31 electrodes with a further first Va and a further second Vb sinusoidal electric voltage signals, respectively;

[00161], - varying a phase difference F of the further first Va sinusoidal electric voltage signal with the further second Vb sinusoidal electric voltage signal from 0 degrees to 180 degrees to generate both a unipolar electric field from each of said first 30 and second 31 electrodes to a patient return electrode 5 and to generate a bipolar electric field between said first 30 and second 31 electrodes for delivering simultaneously unipolar and bipolar non-thermal energy to the tissue 41 to be treated. [00162], In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of setting the phase difference F between said further first Va and further second Vb sinusoidal electric voltage signals to 180 degrees to generate a bipolar electric field between said first 30 and second 31 electrodes for delivering bipolar non-thermal energy only to the tissue 41 to be treated.

[00163], In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the method further comprises the step of setting the phase difference F between said further first Va and further second Vb sinusoidal electric voltage signals to 90 degrees to generate a bipolar electric field between said first 30 and second 31 electrodes which is double the unipolar electric field generated from each of said first 30 and second 31 electrodes to the patient return electrode 5.

[00164], In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the method further comprises the step of supplying, by the single power source 4, the at least a first 30 and a second 31 electrodes with sinusoidal electric voltage signals to generate alternatively a unipolar electric field or a bipolar electric field by time division multiplexing for delivering the non-thermal energy to the tissue 41 to be treated. [00165], In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of:

[00166], - supplying, by the single power source 4, the first Sa and second Sb sinusoidal electric voltage signals “in phase” to the at least first 30 and second 31 electrodes during a first voltage delivery time interval T 1 ;

[00167], - modifying the duration of said first voltage delivery time interval T 1 to change the level of the unipolar non-thermal energy delivered to the tissue 41 to be treated.

[00168], In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of: [00169], - supplying, by the single power source 4, said further first Va and further second Vb sinusoidal electric voltage signals “out of phase” to the at least first 30 and second 31 electrodes during a second voltage delivery time interval T2;

[00170], - modifying the duration of said second voltage delivery time interval T2 to change the level of the unipolar and/or unipolar and bipolar non-thermal energy delivered to the tissue 41 to be treated.

[00171], In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of: [00172], - providing the single power source 4 which comprises a single control unit 200 and a power unit 201 for generating said sinusoidal electric voltage signals Sa, Sb, Va, Vb;

[00173], said power unit 201 is electrically connected to all electrodes of said plurality of electrodes 3, 30, 31 ;

[00174]. said power unit 201 comprising one or more power modules 202 equal to each other; [00175]. - controlling, by the single control unit 200, each power module for generating said sinusoidal electric voltage signals Sa, Sb, Va, Vb starting from a constant supply voltage signal Vcc provided by the single control unit 200.

[00176]. In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the method further comprises the step of modifying, by the single control unit 200, the frequencies of said sinusoidal electric voltage signals Sa, Sb, Va, Vb to change the level of the unipolar and/or unipolar and bipolar non-thermal energy delivered to the tissue 41.

[00177]. In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the method further comprises the step of switching, by the single control unit 200, from the non-thermal energy, particularly IRreversible Electroporation, IRE, energy, to a thermal energy, particularly Radio Frequency, RF, and vice versa to change the electric energy level associated to the voltage signals Sa, Sb, Va, Vb to be supplied to the electrodes 3, 30, 31.

[00178]. The present invention furthermore refers to an ablation catheter kit 300 comprising at least a first ablation equipment having a first ablation catheter 1 and a second ablation equipment having a second ablation catheter T.

[00179]. The shaft distal portion 17 of the first ablation catheter 1 is deflectable in at least two symmetric geometries. The shaft distal portion 17’ of the second ablation catheter T is deflectable in at least two asymmetric geometries.

[00180]. The present invention furthermore refers to an ablation catheter kit 500 comprising: [00181]. - at least an ablation equipment 1000 having an ablation catheter 1 according to anyone of the above described embodiments;

[00182]. - a set of shape setting mandrels 134.

[00183]. The shape setting mandrels of said set 134 have different pre-shaped configurations. The shape setting mandrels of said set 134 are alternatively disposable and removable in said ablation catheter 1.

[00184]. The present invention furthermore refers to use of the kit to treat both the left and right atria of a heart, wherein the ablation catheter 1 of the ablation equipment 1000 is used to ablate tissue in the right atrium using at least a first shape setting mandrel 135, and the same ablation catheter 1 is used to also ablate tissue in the left atrium using at least a second shape setting mandrel 136.

[00185]. Thanks to the solutions proposed, it is possible to provide a method for the treatment of proximal, persistent or long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation in a patient, comprising the following steps:

[00186], - providing an ablation equipment 1000 according to anyone of the above described embodiments;

[00187], - placing the ablation catheter 1 in the coronary sinus of the patient, such as to deliver non-thermal energy for treating a tissue;

[00188], - placing the ablation catheter 1 in the left or right atrium to deliver non-thermal energy for treating a tissue,

[00189], wherein the tissue locations include fasicals around a pulmonary vein, and/or the left atrial roof, and/or the mitral isthmus.

[00190], Thanks to the solutions proposed, it is possible to provide a method for the treatment of atrial flutter in a patient comprising, the following steps:

[00191], - providing an ablation equipment 1000 according to anyone of the above described embodiments;

[00192], - placing the ablation catheter 1 in one or more locations in the right atrium of the heart to achieve bi-directional block by delivering non-thermal energy for treating a tissue.

[00193], Thanks to the solutions proposed, it is possible to provide a method of ablating tissue in the right atrium of the heart, comprising the following steps:

[00194], - providing an ablation equipment 1000 according to anyone of the above described embodiments;

[00195], - placing the ablation catheter 1 in one or more locations in the right (and/or left) atrium of the heart 43;

[00196], - creating lesions between the superior vena cava and the inferior vena cava and/or the coronary sinus and the inferior vena cava and/or the superior vena cava and the coronary sinus by delivering non-thermal energy for treating a tissue.

[00197], Thanks to the solutions proposed, it is possible to provide a method for the treatment of sinus node tachycardia in a patient, comprising the following steps:

[00198], - providing an ablation equipment 1000 according to anyone of the above described embodiments;

[00199], - placing the ablation catheter 1 in one or more locations in the right (and/or left) atrium of the heart 43;

[00200] - ablating the sinus node by delivering non-thermal energy for treating a tissue.

[00201], Thanks to the solutions proposed, it is possible to provide a method for the treatment of ventricular tachycardia in a patient, comprising the following steps: [00202] - providing an ablation equipment 1000 according to anyone of the above described embodiments;

[00203], - placing the ablation catheter 1 in the left or right ventricles of the heart 43;

[00204], - inducing ventricular tachycardia by delivering pacing energy, and

[00205], - ablating tissue to treat the patient by delivering non-thermal energy for treating a tissue.

[00206], Thanks to the solutions proposed, it is possible to provide a method to ablate atrial tissues, comprising the following steps:

[00207], - providing an ablation equipment 1000 according to anyone of the above described embodiments;

[00208], wherein the shaft distal portion 17 comprises a first deflection geometry when the shape setting mandrel 26 is fully inserted in the elongated shaft 13, and the shaft distal portion 17 comprises a second deflection geometry when the shape setting mandrel 26 is removed from the shaft distal portion 17, wherein the first deflection geometry is larger than the second deflection geometry;

[00209], - placing the ablation catheter 1 exposed to an atrial tissue, with the shaft distal portion 17 in the second deflection geometry with said shape setting mandrel 26 outside said distal portion 17; [00210] - ablating one or more of the following tissue locations: left atrial septum; tissue adjacent the left atrial septum; and tissue adjacent the left atrial posterior wall by delivering both non-thermal energy for treating a tissue and thermal energy for ablating a tissue;

[00211], - placing the ablation catheter 1 with the shaft distal portion 17 in the first deflection geometry by fully inserting the shape setting mandrel 26 within the elongated shaft 13,

[00212] - ablating at least the circumference around the pulmonary veins by delivering both non- thermal energy for treating a tissue and thermal energy for ablating a tissue.

[00213], The ablation equipment 1000 and related methods of present invention provides relevant advantages.

[00214], In particular, the single power source 4 configured to generate the sinusoidal electric voltage signals Sa, Sb, Va, Vb rely on transformers. Therefore, a high level of electrical isolation is ensured for the patient.

[00215], Furthermore, the ablation equipment 1000 of the invention ensures a high degree of flexibility for energy delivery by modifying the phase difference of the signals, their frequencies and the delivery times T1, T2. Therefore, lengths and depths of lesions caused by the IRE procedure can be tailored.

[00216], In addition, the Applicant has verified that the cost of components to design and manufacture the ablation equipment 4 for delivering sinusoidal-waves is significant less than the cost for manufacturing generators of a square-wave known in the art.

[00217]. In addition, alternating current (AC) signals with simple spectral content, like the sine wave signals, represent a much better option, with different frequency components of the electric field having overlapped effects on the cell membrane during energy delivery.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

1000 ablation equipment

1 ablation catheter OR energy delivery system OR energy delivery device OR probe OR multi electrode and multi-functional ablation catheter 3, 30, 31 electrode

4 single power source OR energy source OR non-thermal energy source OR generator OR power delivery source OR IRE generator

5 patient return electrode OR ground electrode

6 return wire

7 ECG interface

8 wireless communication interface

9 wire

13 elongated shaft

14 elongated shaft proximal portion

15 elongated shaft proximal end

16 elongated shaft distal end

17 elongated shaft distal portion

20 shaft ablation assembly

21 mandrel ablation assembly

23 tip ablation element

24 deflections shapes and geometries

26 shape setting mandrel OR shape setting center mandrel

27 flexible body

F phase difference

32 mandrel electrode

41 tissue

43 heart

44 organ

103 handle

119 mandrel elastic body

120 catheter bend portion

134 set of shape fitting mandrel 135 first shape setting mandrel

136 second shape setting mandrel 139 mandrel distal portion

144 steering device

146 mandrel bend portion

500 Kit of ablation catheter and set of mandrels

300 kit of ablation catheters

IRE irreversible electroporation

RF radiofrequency

X-X elongated shaft longitudinal main direction P shaft distal portion plane

200 single control unit OR means for selectively energizing the electrodes

201 power unit OR outputs of the IRE generator

202 power module

203 drive circuit block

204 selecting block 205, 205’ filtering block

206 electrical isolation block

207 Microprocessor

208 variable High Voltage Power Supply block

209 Programmable Logic Controller block

210 Video interface block

211 Watch Dog block

212 Audio interface block

S sinusoidal electric voltage signal Sa first sinusoidal electric signal Sb second sinusoidal electric signal Va further first sinusoidal electric signal Vb further second sinusoidal electric signal Vcc supply voltage signal

Claims

Ablation equipment (1000) for delivering non-thermal energy to treat target regions of tissue (41) in organs (44), the ablation equipment (1000) comprising an ablation catheter (1) and a single power source (4); said ablation catheter (1) comprising: a catheter elongated shaft (13) comprising at least an elongated shaft distal portion (17); said catheter elongated shaft (13) comprising a flexible body (27) to navigate through body vessels (208); said ablation catheter (1) further comprising a shaft ablation assembly (20) disposed at said elongated shaft distal portion (17); said shaft ablation assembly (20) comprising at least a plurality of electrodes (3, 30, 31) fixedly disposed at said elongated shaft distal portion (17); all electrodes of said at least a plurality (3, 30, 31) being electrically connected to the single power source (4), said single power source (4) being configured to generate electric voltage signals (Sa, Sb, Va, Vb) to energize each electrode for delivering the non-thermal energy to the tissue (41) to be treated; wherein each of said electric voltage signals (Sa, Sb, Va, Vb) is a sinusoidal wave, and wherein the single power source (4) is configured to supply at least a first (30) and a second (31) electrodes (30, 31) that are adjacent to each other on said ablation catheter (1), with sinusoidal electric voltage signals in phase with each other or out of phase with each other to generate a unipolar electric field and/or a bipolar electric field for delivering the non-thermal energy to the tissue (41) to be treated.

Ablation equipment (1000) according to claim 1 , wherein the single power source (4) is configured to supply the at least a first (30) and a second (31) electrodes with a first (Sa) and a second (Sb) sinusoidal electric voltage signals, respectively, the first (Sa) sinusoidal electric voltage signal having a phase (F) difference with the second (Sb) sinusoidal electric voltage signal equal to 0 degrees to generate a unipolar electric field from each of said first (30) and second (31) electrodes to a patient return electrode (5) for delivering unipolar non-thermal energy only to the tissue (41 ) to be treated.

3. Ablation equipment (1000) according to claim 1 , wherein the single power source (4) is configured to supply the at least a first (30) and a second (31) electrodes with a further first (Va) and a further second (Vb) sinusoidal electric voltage signals, respectively, the further first (Va) sinusoidal electric voltage signal having a phase difference (F) with the further second (Vb) sinusoidal electric voltage signal that can be varied from 0 degrees to 180 degrees to generate both a unipolar electric field from each of said first (30) and second (31) electrodes to a patient return electrode (5) and to generate a bipolar electric field between said first (30) and second (31) electrodes for delivering simultaneously unipolar and bipolar non-thermal energy to the tissue (41) to be treated.

4. Ablation equipment (1000) according to claim 3, wherein the phase difference (F) between said further first (Va) and further second (Vb) sinusoidal electric voltage signals is 180 degrees to generate a bipolar electric field between said first (30) and second (31) electrodes for delivering bipolar non-thermal energy only to the tissue (41 ) to be treated.

5. Ablation equipment (1000) according to claim 3, wherein a phase difference (F) between said further first (Va) and further second (Vb) sinusoidal electric voltage signals is 90 degrees to generate a bipolar electric field between said first (30) and second (31) electrodes which is double the unipolar electric field generated from each of said first (30) and second (31) electrodes to the patient return electrode (5).

6. Ablation equipment (1000) according to any of claims 1-5, wherein a peak-to-peak mean amplitude of each sinusoidal electric voltage signal (Sa, Sb, Va, Vb) is in the range of 500 V to 5000 V, preferably the peak-to-peak mean amplitude is 3500 V.

7. Ablation equipment (1000) according to claim 1 , wherein the single power source (4) is configured to supply the at least a first (30) and a second (31) electrodes with sinusoidal electric voltage signals to generate alternatively a unipolar electric field or a bipolar electric field by time division multiplexing for delivering the non-thermal energy to the tissue (41) to be treated.

8. Ablation equipment (1000) according to any of claims 1-7, wherein said single power source (4) comprises a single control unit (200) and a power unit (201) for generating said sinusoidal electric voltage signals (Sa, Sb, Va, Vb); said power unit (201) being electrically connected to all electrodes of said plurality of electrodes (3, 30, 31).

9. Ablation equipment (1000) according to claim 8, wherein said first (Sa) and second (Sb) sinusoidal electric voltage signals “in phase” are supplied to the at least first (30) and second (31) electrodes during a first voltage delivery time interval (T1), the single control unit (200) is configured to drive the power unit (201) to modify the duration of said first voltage delivery time interval (T1) to change the level of the unipolar non-thermal energy delivered to the tissue (41) to be treated.

10. Ablation equipment (1000) according to claim 8, wherein said further first (Va) and further second (Vb) sinusoidal electric voltage signals “out of phase” are supplied to the at least first (30) and second (31) electrodes during a second voltage delivery time interval (T2), the single control unit (200) is configured to drive the power unit (201) to modify the duration of said second voltage delivery time interval (T2) to change the level of the unipolar and/or unipolar and bipolar non-thermal energy delivered to the tissue (41) to be treated.

11. Ablation equipment (1000) according to claim 8, wherein said power unit (201) comprises one or more power modules (202) equal to each other, each power module being controlled by the single control unit (200) for generating said sinusoidal electric voltage signals (Sa, Sb, Va, Vb) starting from a constant supply voltage signal (Vcc) provided by the single control unit (200).

12. Ablation equipment (1000) according to claim 11 , wherein each power module (202) comprising:

- a drive circuit block (203) controlled by the single control unit (200) for generating said sinusoidal electric voltage signals (Sa, Sb, Va, Vb) starting from the constant supply voltage signal (Vcc) provided by the single control unit (200);

- a selecting block (204) selectively controlled by said drive circuit block (203) to change continuously the electric energy level associated to said signals (Sa, Sb, Va, Vb);

- a filtering and electrical isolation block (205, 205’, 206).

13. Ablation equipment (1000) according to claim 8, wherein said single control unit (200) comprises: a Microprocessor (207) configured to control a variable High Voltage Power Supply block (208) and a Programmable Logic Controller block (209); said variable High Voltage Power Supply block (208) being configured to provide a supply voltage signal (Vcc) to the power module (202) for generating said sinusoidal electric voltage signals (Sa, Sb, Va, Vb); said Programmable Logic Controller block (209) being configured to generate drive signals to control a drive circuit block (203) of the power module (202); said single control unit (200) further comprising:

- a Video interface and Push Button block (210, 210’) controlled by the Microprocessor (207) to set parameters of the equipment (1000) and display the selected parameters;

- a Watch Dog block (211 ) for controlling proper functioning of the Microprocessor (207);

- an Audio interface block (212) for providing audio information representative of correctness of the ablation process and/or errors occurred.

14. Ablation equipment (1000) according to claim 1 , wherein said single power source (4) is powered by a rechargeable battery or is connected to a standard wall outlet of an AC electrical power grid capable of producing 110 volts or 240 volts.

15. Ablation equipment (1000) according to claim 8, wherein said single power source (4) comprises an Electrocardiogram, ECG, interface (7) configured to connect the power unit (201) to an ECG diagnostic device.

16. Ablation equipment (1000) according to claim 8, wherein said single power source (4) comprises a wireless communication interface (8) connected to the single control unit (200) to allow the control unit to be remotely controlled.

17. Ablation equipment (1000) according to claim 8, wherein said power unit (201) comprises one or more power modules (202) equal to each other; wherein at least one of said electrodes (3, 30, 31) is a monopolar electrode, and said monopolar electrode of said plurality of electrodes is electrically connected to only one power module (202) of said power unit (201); wherein at least two of said electrodes (3, 30, 31) are electrically connected to form bipolar electrodes, and said bipolar electrodes of said plurality of electrodes are electrically connected separately to respective power module (202) selectable among the power modules of said power unit (201).

18. Ablation equipment (1000) according to claim 8, wherein the single control unit (200) is configured to drive the power unit (201) to modify the frequencies of said sinusoidal electric voltage signals (Sa, Sb, Va, Vb) to change the level of the unipolar and/or unipolar and bipolar non-thermal energy delivered to the tissue (41).

19. Ablation equipment (1000) according to claim 8, wherein said power unit (201) is driven by the single control unit (200) to change the electric energy level associated to the voltage signals (Sa, Sb, Va, Vb) to be supplied to the electrodes (3, 30, 31) to switch from the non-thermal energy to a thermal energy, particularly Radio Frequency, RF, and vice versa.

20. Ablation equipment (1000) according to claims 8 and 15, wherein the single control unit (200) drives the power unit (201) for generating said sinusoidal electric voltage signals (Sa, Sb, Va, Vb) by using a Proportional-Integral-Derivative, PID, control loop which receives information from at least an electrode (3, 30, 31 ) on the ablation catheter (1 ) and from the ECG diagnostic device through the ECG interface (7) such as to provide closed loop energy delivery based on measured and analyzed bio-signals.

21. Ablation equipment (1000) according to claim 20, wherein said at least an electrode (3, 30, 31 ) on the ablation catheter (1 ) comprises a mass filter/digital converter to measure said bio signals to be provided to the single control unit (200).

22. Ablation equipment (1000) according to claim 8, wherein the single control unit (200) drives the power unit (201) for generating said sinusoidal electric voltage signals (Sa, Sb, Va, Vb) according to a first set of ablation parameters when a first type of ablation catheter (1) is connected to the single power source (4) and according to a second set of ablation parameters when a second type of ablation catheter (1) is connected to the single power source (4).

23. Ablation equipment (1000) according to any of claims 1-22, wherein the non-thermal energy is IRreversible Electroporation, IRE, energy.

24. Method for controlling at least a plurality of electrodes (3, 30, 31) in an ablation equipment (1000) for delivering non-thermal energy to treat target regions of tissue (41) in organs (44) according to anyone of the claims from 1 to 23, said ablation equipment (1000) comprising an ablation catheter (1 ) and a single power source (4); the method comprising:

- generating by the single power source (4) electric voltage signals (Sa, Sb, Va, Vb) to energize each electrode of the at least a plurality of electrodes (3, 30, 31 ), wherein each of said electric voltage signals (Sa, Sb, Va, Vb) is a sinusoidal wave; and

- supplying, by the single power source (4), at least a first (30) and a second (31) electrodes (30, 31) that are adjacent to each other on said ablation catheter (1), with sinusoidal electric voltage signals in phase with each other or out of phase with each other to generate a unipolar electric field and/or a bipolar electric field to be delivered to the tissue (41 ) to be treated.

25. Method for controlling at least a plurality of electrodes (3, 30, 31) in an ablation equipment (1000) according to claim 24, further comprising the steps of:

- supplying, by the single power source (4), the at least a first (30) and a second (31) electrodes with a first (Sa) and a second (Sb) sinusoidal electric voltage signals, respectively, the first (Sa) sinusoidal electric voltage signal having a phase difference (F) with the second (Sb) sinusoidal electric voltage signal equal to 0 degrees;

- generating a unipolar electric field from each of said first (30) and second (31) electrodes to a patient return electrode (5) for delivering unipolar non-thermal energy only to the tissue (41) to be treated.

26. Method for controlling at least a plurality of electrodes (3, 30, 31) in an ablation equipment (1000) according to claim 24, further comprising the steps of:

- supplying, by the single power source (4), the at least a first (30) and a second (31) electrodes with a further first (Va) and a further second (Vb) sinusoidal electric voltage signals, respectively;

- varying a phase difference (F) of the further first (Va) sinusoidal electric voltage signal with the further second (Vb) sinusoidal electric voltage signal from 0 degrees to 180 degrees to generate both a unipolar electric field from each of said first (30) and second (31) electrodes to a patient return electrode (5) and to generate a bipolar electric field between said first (30) and second (31) electrodes for delivering simultaneously unipolar and bipolar non-thermal energy to the tissue (41) to be treated.

27. Method for controlling at least a plurality of electrodes (3, 30, 31) in an ablation equipment (1000) according to claim 26, further comprising the step of setting the phase difference (F) between said further first (Va) and further second (Vb) sinusoidal electric voltage signals to 180 degrees to generate a bipolar electric field between said first (30) and second (31) electrodes for delivering bipolar non-thermal energy only to the tissue (41) to be treated.

28. Method for controlling at least a plurality of electrodes (3, 30, 31) in an ablation equipment (1000) according to claim 26, further comprising the step of setting the phase difference (F) between said further first (Va) and further second (Vb) sinusoidal electric voltage signals to 90 degrees to generate a bipolar electric field between said first (30) and second (31) electrodes which is double the unipolar electric field generated from each of said first (30) and second (31) electrodes to the patient return electrode (5).

29. Method for controlling at least a plurality of electrodes (3, 30, 31) in an ablation equipment (1000) according to claim 24, further comprising the step of supplying, by the single power source (4), the at least a first (30) and a second (31) electrodes with sinusoidal electric voltage signals to generate alternatively a unipolar electric field or a bipolar electric field by time division multiplexing for delivering the non-thermal energy to the tissue (41 ) to be treated.

30. Method for controlling at least a plurality of electrodes (3, 30, 31) in an ablation equipment (1000) according to anyone of claims 24-29, further comprising the steps of:

- supplying, by the single power source (4), the first (Sa) and second (Sb) sinusoidal electric voltage signals “in phase” to the at least first (30) and second (31) electrodes during a first voltage delivery time interval (T 1 );

- modifying the duration of said first voltage delivery time interval (T1 ) to change the level of the unipolar non-thermal energy delivered to the tissue (41) to be treated.

31. Method for controlling at least a plurality of electrodes (3, 30, 31) in an ablation equipment (1000) according to anyone of claims 24-29, further comprising the steps of:

- supplying, by the single power source (4), said further first (Va) and further second (Vb) sinusoidal electric voltage signals “out of phase” to the at least first (30) and second (31) electrodes during a second voltage delivery time interval (T2);

- modifying the duration of said second voltage delivery time interval (T2) to change the level of the unipolar and/or unipolar and bipolar non-thermal energy delivered to the tissue (41) to be treated.

32. Method for controlling at least a plurality of electrodes (3, 30, 31) in an ablation equipment (1000) according to anyone of claims 24-29, further comprising the steps of:

- providing the single power source (4) which comprises a single control unit (200) and a power unit (201) for generating said sinusoidal electric voltage signals (Sa, Sb, Va, Vb); said power unit (201) being electrically connected to all electrodes of said plurality of electrodes (3, 30, 31); said power unit (201) comprising one or more power modules (202) equal to each other; - controlling, by the single control unit (200), each power module for generating said sinusoidal electric voltage signals (Sa, Sb, Va, Vb) starting from a constant supply voltage signal (Vcc) provided by the single control unit (200).

33. Method for controlling at least a plurality of electrodes (3, 30, 31) in an ablation equipment (1000) according to claim 32, further comprising the step of modifying, by the single control unit (200), the frequencies of said sinusoidal electric voltage signals (Sa, Sb, Va, Vb) to change the level of the unipolar and/or unipolar and bipolar non-thermal energy delivered to the tissue (41).

34. Method for controlling at least a plurality of electrodes (3, 30, 31) in an ablation equipment (1000) according to claim 32, further comprising the step of switching, by the single control unit (200), from the non-thermal energy, particularly IRreversible Electroporation, IRE, energy, to a thermal energy, particularly Radio Frequency, RF, and vice versa to change the electric energy level associated to the voltage signals (Sa, Sb, Va, Vb) to be supplied to the electrodes (3, 30, 31).

35. Ablation equipment (1000) according to anyone of the claims from 1 to 23, wherein said ablation catheter (1) comprises an elongated shaft (13) having a longitudinal main direction (X-X), said elongated shaft (13) comprising at least a shaft distal portion (17), said shaft distal portion (17) comprising a shaft distal portion distal end (19); said ablation catheter (1) comprising an inner lumen arranged within the elongated shaft (13); said ablation catheter (1) comprising a shaft ablation assembly (20) fixedly disposed at said shaft distal portion (17), the shaft ablation assembly (20) being configured to deliver non-thermal energy for treating said tissue (41);

-at least a shape setting mandrel (26) disposed within the ablation catheter (1), the shape setting mandrel (26) being insertable within the inner lumen and removable from the inner lumen, wherein the shape setting mandrel (26) is free to move in respect of the inner lumen avoiding any constraint with said shaft distal portion (17) during the shape setting mandrel insertion, wherein the shape setting mandrel (26) comprises at least a pre-shaped configuration and the shape setting mandrel (26) is reversibly deformable between at least a straight loaded configuration and said pre-shaped configuration, wherein, when the shape setting mandrel (26) is fully inserted in the shaft distal portion (17), the shape setting mandrel (26) is configured to shape set said shaft distal portion (17) with said pre shaped configuration.

36. Ablation equipment (1000) according to anyone of the claims from 1 to 23 or 35, wherein said shaft distal portion (17) is elastically deformable, and/or wherein when the shape setting mandrel (26) is fully inserted in the shaft distal portion (17), said shaft distal portion (17) is configured to conform to said pre-shaped configuration.

37. Ablation equipment (1000) according to anyone of the claims from 1 to 23 or 35, wherein, when the shape setting mandrel (26) is fully inserted in the shaft distal portion (17), said shape setting mandrel (26) deform said shaft distal portion (17) at least in a shaft distal portion plane (P).

38. Ablation equipment (1000) according to anyone of the claims from 1 to 23 or 35, wherein said ablation catheter (1) comprises a catheter bend portion (120) proximal to the shaft ablation assembly (20), wherein said catheter bend portion (120) is configured to realize an elbow that steer said shaft distal portion plane (P) with respect to said longitudinal main direction (X-X).

39. Ablation equipment (1000) according to anyone of the claims from 1 to 23 or 35, wherein when the shape setting mandrel (26) is fully inserted in the shaft distal portion (17), the shaft distal portion (17) takes a circular configuration.

40. Ablation equipment (1000) according to anyone of the claims from 1 to 23 or 35, wherein the shape setting mandrel (26) comprises a mandrel elastic body (119) capable to deform into at least said straight loaded configuration and to return to said pre-shaped configuration, and/or wherein the shape setting mandrel (26) is made of at least a shape memory alloy; and/or wherein said assembly (100) comprises a mandrel heating element coupled to said shape setting mandrel (26), wherein said heating element is configured to apply heat to said shape setting mandrel (26) so that shape setting mandrel (26) changes shape configuration from said loaded straight configuration to said pre-shaped configuration.

41. Ablation equipment (1000) according to anyone of the claims from 1 to 23 or 35, wherein the shaft distal portion (17) is deflectable in one or more directions, in one or more deflections shapes and geometries.

42. Ablation equipment (1000) according to claim 41 , wherein the shape setting mandrel (26) in the pre-shaped configuration is configured to maintain the deflections of the shaft distal portion (17) in a single plane, and/or wherein the deflection directions are symmetric deflection geometries or asymmetric deflection geometries.

43. Ablation catheter kit (300) comprising at least a first ablation equipment having a first ablation catheter (1) and a second ablation equipment having a second ablation catheter (1’) according to anyone of the claims 35-42, wherein the shaft distal portion (17) of the first ablation catheter (1) is deflectable in at least two symmetric geometries; the shaft distal portion (17’) of the second ablation catheter (1’) is deflectable in at least two asymmetric geometries.

44. Ablation catheter kit (500) comprising:

-at least an ablation equipment (1000) having an ablation catheter (1) according to any of the preceding claims from 35 to 42;

-a set of shape setting mandrels (134); wherein the shape setting mandrels of said set (134) have different pre-shaped configurations, wherein the shape setting mandrels of said set (134) are alternatively disposable and removable in said ablation catheter (1).

45. A method for the treatment of proximal, persistent or long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation in a patient comprising the following steps:

- providing an ablation equipment (1000) according to anyone of the claims from 1 to 23 and from 35 to 42;

- placing the ablation catheter (1) in the coronary sinus of the patient, such as to deliver non- thermal energy for treating a tissue;

- place the ablation catheter (1) in the left or right atrium to deliver non-thermal energy for treating a tissue, wherein the tissue locations include fasicals around a pulmonary vein, and/or the left atrial roof, and/or the mitral isthmus.

46. A method for the treatment of atrial flutter in a patient comprising the following steps:

- placing the ablation catheter (1) in one or more locations in the right atrium of the heart to achieve bi-directional block by delivering non-thermal energy for treating a tissue.

47. A method of ablating tissue in the right atrium of the heart comprising the following steps:

- placing the ablation catheter (1) in one or more locations in the right (and/or left) atrium of the heart (43);

- creating lesions between the superior vena cava and the inferior vena cava and/or the coronary sinus and the inferior vena cava and/or the superior vena cava and the coronary sinus by delivering non-thermal energy for treating a tissue.

48. A method for the treatment of sinus node tachycardia in a patient comprising the following steps:

- providing an ablation equipment (1000) according to anyone of the claims from 1 to 23 and from 35 to 42; - placing the ablation catheter (1) in one or more locations in the right (and/or left) atrium of the heart (43);

- ablating the sinus node by delivering non-thermal energy for treating a tissue.

49. A method for the treatment of ventricular tachycardia in a patient comprising the following steps:

- placing the ablation catheter (1) in the left or right ventricles of the heart (43);

- inducing ventricular tachycardia by delivering pacing energy, and

- ablating tissue to treat the patient by delivering non-thermal energy for treating a tissue.

50. A method to ablate atrial tissues comprising the following steps:

- providing an ablation equipment (1000) according to anyone of the claims from 1 to 23 and from 35 to 42; wherein the shaft distal portion (17) comprises a first deflection geometry when the shape setting mandrel (26) is fully inserted in the elongated shaft (13), and the shaft distal portion (17) comprises a second deflection geometry when the shape setting mandrel (26) is removed from the shaft distal portion (17), wherein the first deflection geometry is larger than the second deflection geometry;

- placing the ablation catheter (1) exposed to an atrial tissue, with the shaft distal portion (17) in the second deflection geometry with said shape setting mandrel (26) outside said distal portion (17);

- ablating one or more of the following tissue locations: left atrial septum; tissue adjacent the left atrial septum; and tissue adjacent the left atrial posterior wall by delivering both non-thermal energy for treating a tissue and thermal energy for ablating a tissue;

- placing the ablation catheter (1) with the shaft distal portion (17) in the first deflection geometry by fully inserting the shape setting mandrel (26) within the elongated shaft (13),

- ablating at least the circumference around the pulmonary veins by delivering both non-thermal energy for treating a tissue and thermal energy for ablating a tissue.

51. Use of the kit according to claim 44 to treat both the left and right atria of a heart, wherein the ablation catheter (1) of the ablation equipment (1000) is used to ablate tissue in the right atrium using at least a first shape setting mandrel (135), and the same ablation catheter (1) is used to also ablate tissue in the left atrium using at least a second shape setting mandrel (136).