Burst mode operation of intravascular lithotripsy (ivl)

Abstract

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for applying voltage(s) across electrodes of a shock wave catheter system. The electrodes in the shock wave catheter may be activated by using at least one packet comprising a plurality of sub-pulses. The plurality of sub-pulses within a packet may be delivered in rapid succession (e.g., with a frequency of 100 Hz-10 kHz, pulse width duration of 1 μs or shorter, and/or peak power of 250 kW or higher). The packets may be delivered in bursts with, e.g., a frequency of 1-4 Hz). The time between adjacent sub-pulses may be less than the time between adjacent packets. The sub-pulses may be delivered with a higher peak power (lower energy) compared to non-burst pulses. The voltages of the sub-pulses may be applied using a single- or multi-stage generator circuit. The shock wave catheter may be operated in burst mode operation and/or non-burst mode operation.