Patent Application
20250114140
The present technology is related to catheters, and in particular, to neuromodulation catheters including neuromodulation elements configured to deliver energy to nerves at or near a treatment location within a body lumen.
The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is a primarily involuntary bodily control system typically associated with stress responses. Fibers of the SNS extend through tissue in almost every organ system of the human body and can affect characteristics such as pupil diameter, gut motility, and urinary output. Such regulation can have adaptive utility in maintaining homeostasis or in preparing the body for rapid response to environmental factors. Chronic activation of the SNS, however, is a common maladaptive response that can drive the progression of many disease states. Excessive activation of the renal SNS, in particular, has been identified experimentally and in humans as a likely contributor to the complex pathophysiologies of hypertension, states of volume overload (e.g., heart failure), and progressive renal disease.
Sympathetic nerves of the kidneys terminate in the renal blood vessels, the juxtaglomerular apparatus, and the renal tubules, among other structures. Stimulation of the renal sympathetic nerves can cause, for example, increased renin release, increased sodium reabsorption, and reduced renal blood flow. These and other neural-regulated components of renal function are considerably stimulated in disease states characterized by heightened sympathetic tone. For example, reduced renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate as a result of renal sympathetic efferent stimulation is likely a cornerstone of the loss of renal function in cardio-renal syndrome (i.e., renal dysfunction as a progressive complication of chronic heart failure). Pharmacologic strategies to thwart the consequences of renal sympathetic stimulation include centrally-acting sympatholytic drugs, beta blockers (e.g., to reduce renin release), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and receptor blockers (e.g., to block the action of angiotensin II and aldosterone activation consequent to renin release), and diuretics (e.g., to counter renal sympathetic mediated sodium and water retention). These pharmacologic strategies, however, have significant limitations including limited efficacy, compliance issues, side effects, and others.
The present technology is directed to devices, systems, and methods for neuromodulation, such as renal neuromodulation using radiofrequency (RF) energy. A catheter (e.g., an RF ablation catheter) may be configured to deliver RF energy circumferentially around a lumen (e.g., a renal main artery, accessory renal artery, or branch vessel) in which the catheter is positioned. The catheter may include at least a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion may include one or more electrodes. The distal portion of the catheter may further include one or more wires or wire pairs (e.g., one wire or wire pair for each electrode) running distally through the catheter, each wire or wire pair extending through a corresponding opening or slot. Via the slot, each wire or wire pair electrically couples to a respective electrode at a respective coupling point in order to deliver energy, and in some cases, to form a thermocouple for conducting temperature measurements. The distal portion of the catheter may be configured to transform between a substantially straight delivery configuration and a spiral or coiled deployed configuration.
In examples described herein, the relative positions and orientations of the electrode(s), the coupling point(s), and/or the slot(s) may be selected such that, in the deployed configuration of the catheter, the coupling point(s) are oriented along an outer circumferential surface defined by the coil shape. In this way, the coupling points may be more-precisely positioned against a vessel wall of the patient, enabling more-accurate energy delivery and/or temperature measurements in order to better-inform energy generation during the neuromodulation procedure, thereby improving a likelihood of success of the denervation therapy.
In some examples, a catheter includes a neuromodulation element convertible between a low-profile delivery state and a radially expanded deployed state, the neuromodulation element comprising: an elongated structure configured to have a substantially linear shape defining a longitudinal axis when the neuromodulation element is in the low-profile delivery state, and further configured to have a coiled shape defining a coiled outer surface when the neuromodulation element is in the radially expanded deployed state; one or more electrodes spaced longitudinally apart along the longitudinal axis of the elongated structure; and one or more wires, each wire electrically coupled to a corresponding electrode of the one or more electrodes at a respective coupling point of one or more coupling points, wherein the coupling points are arranged such that, when the neuromodulation element is in the deployed state, the one or more coupling points are oriented along the coiled outer surface of the coiled shape of the elongated structure.
In some examples, a method of forming a neuromodulation element includes: forming a tubular elongated structure, an outer surface of the elongated structure defining one or more reduced-diameter segments spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of the elongated structure; forming a slot of one or more slots within each of the one or more reduced-diameter segments of the elongated structure, the one or more slots positioned such that, when the elongated structure transitions from a generally linear delivery state to a coiled deployed state defining a coil shape having a coiled outer surface, the one or more slots are positioned along the coiled outer surface of the coil shape; extending each of one or more wires or wire pairs through a respective slot of the one or more slots; positioning each of one or more electrodes in a respective reduced-diameter segment of the one or more reduced diameter segments; and electrically coupling each of the one or more wires or wire pairs to a respective one of the one or more electrodes.
This disclosure also describes examples of methods of using the aspiration systems and devices. The details of one or more aspects of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the techniques described in this disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
Reference is made to the attached drawings, wherein elements having the same reference numeral designations represent similar elements throughout.
Specific details of systems, devices, and methods in accordance with several examples of the present technology are disclosed herein with reference to
The present technology is directed to devices, systems, and methods for neuromodulation, such as renal neuromodulation, using radiofrequency (RF) energy.
As used herein, the terms “distal” and “proximal” define a position or direction with respect to the treating clinician or clinician's control device (e.g., a handle assembly). “Distal” or “distally” can refer to a position distant from or in a direction away from the clinician or clinician's control device. “Proximal” and “proximally” can refer to a position near or in a direction toward the clinician or clinician's control device.
Renal neuromodulation, such as renal denervation, may be used to modulate activity of one or more renal nerves and may be used to affect activity of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). In renal neuromodulation, one or more therapeutic elements may be introduced near renal nerves located between an aorta and a kidney of a patient. In some examples, the one or more therapeutic elements may be carried by or attached to a catheter, and the catheter may be introduced intravascularly, e.g., into a renal artery via a brachial artery, femoral artery, or radial artery approach. In other examples, the one or more therapeutic elements may be introduced extravascularly, e.g., using a laparoscopic technique.
Renal neuromodulation can be accomplished using one or more of a variety of treatment modalities, including electrical stimulation, radio frequency (RF) energy, microwave energy, ultrasound energy, a chemical agent, or the like. In some examples, an RF ablation system includes an RF generator configured to generate RF energy and deliver RF energy to tissue via one or more electrodes carried by a catheter and positioned within a lumen of a body of a patient. For example, the lumen may be a vessel, such as a vein or artery. In some examples, the lumen may be a renal artery, such as a main renal artery, an accessory renal artery, a branch vessel, or the like. The RF energy may heat tissue to which the RF energy is directed (which tissue includes one or more renal nerves) and modulate the activity of the one or more renal nerves.
The RF ablation system may be configured to deliver RF energy via either a monopolar or bipolar arrangement. In a monopolar arrangement, a return or reference electrode may be paced on a patient's skin, and one or more of the electrodes carried by the catheter may be driven to act as active electrodes, either individually, simultaneously, or sequentially. In a bipolar arrangement, the active and return electrodes may both be carried by or attached to the catheter and introduced within the body of the patient. In some examples, a catheter includes one or more electrodes, and the RF generator and electrical connections between the RF generator and the electrode(s) can be configured for monopolar RF energy delivery, bipolar RF energy delivery, or can be controllable between monopolar RF energy delivery and bipolar RF energy delivery.
In many patients, renal nerves generally follow the renal artery and branch vessels from near the aorta to a kidney. The renal nerves may be present in a wall of the renal artery and/or branch vessels and/or in tissue surrounding the renal artery and/or branch vessels. Because renal nerves may be around the renal artery and/or branch vessels and may include multiple nerves and/or nerve branches, it may be desirable to deliver RF energy circumferentially around the renal artery and/or branch vessels to affect as many renal nerves as possible.
In accordance with examples of the current disclosure, a catheter (e.g., an RF ablation catheter) is configured to deliver RF energy circumferentially around a lumen (e.g., a renal main artery, accessory renal artery, or branch vessel) in which the catheter is positioned. The catheter includes at least a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion may include one or more electrodes (e.g., one electrode, two electrodes, three electrodes, four electrodes, or the like) and may be configured to transform between a substantially straight delivery configuration and a spiral or helical deployed configuration. The catheter may further include one or more wires or wire pairs extending from a proximal end (or from near the proximal end) of the catheter to the electrode(s) at the distal portion of the catheter, each wire (or wire pair) being electrically coupled (e.g., welded or otherwise affixed) to a corresponding electrode to delivery energy, and in some examples, to form a thermocouple for conducting temperature measurements. The distal portion of the catheter may also define one or more openings or slots through which the wire(s) extend in order to contact and electrically couple to the electrode(s). The distal portion of the catheter may be configured to transform between a substantially straight delivery configuration and a spiral or coiled deployed configuration.
In examples described herein, the relative positions and orientations of the electrode(s), the coupling point(s), and/or the slot(s) may be selected such that, in the deployed configuration of the catheter, the coupling points are oriented along an outer circumferential surface defined by the coil shape formed by the catheter. In this way, the coupling points may be more-precisely positioned against a vessel wall of the patient, enabling more-accurate temperature measurements in order to better inform energy generation during the neuromodulation procedure, thereby improving a likelihood of success of the denervation therapy.
Intraluminal delivery of neuromodulation catheter 102 may include percutaneously inserting a guidewire (not shown) into a body lumen of a patient and moving shaft 108 and neuromodulation element 112 along the guidewire until neuromodulation element 112 reaches a suitable treatment location. Alternatively, neuromodulation catheter 102 may be a steerable or non-steerable device configured for use without a guidewire. Additionally, or alternatively, neuromodulation catheter 102 may be configured for use with another type of guide member, such as a guide catheter or a sheath (not shown), alone, or in addition to a guidewire.
RF generator 104 is configured to control, monitor, supply, and/or otherwise support operation of neuromodulation catheter 102. In other examples, neuromodulation catheter 102 may be self-contained or otherwise configured for operation independent of RF generator 104. When present, RF generator 104 is configured to generate a selected form and/or magnitude of RF energy for delivery to tissue at a treatment location via neuromodulation element 112. For example, RF generator 104 can be configured to generate RF energy (e.g., monopolar and/or bipolar RF energy). In other examples, RF generator 104 may be another type of device configured to generate and deliver another suitable type of energy to neuromodulation element 112 for delivery to tissue at a treatment location via electrodes (not shown) of neuromodulation element 112.
Along cable 106 or at another suitable location within therapeutic system 100, therapeutic system 100 may include a control device 114 configured to initiate, terminate, and/or adjust operation of one or more components of neuromodulation catheter 102 directly and/or via RF generator 104. RF generator 104 may be configured to execute an automated control algorithm 116 and/or to receive control instructions from an operator. Similarly, in some implementations, RF generator 104 is configured to provide feedback to an operator before, during, and/or after a treatment procedure via an evaluation/feedback algorithm 118.
The shaft 108 can include an assembly of parallel tubular segments. At its proximal end portion 108a and extending distally though a majority of its intermediate portion 108c, the shaft 108 can include a proximal hypotube segment 128, a proximal jacket 130, a first electrically insulative tube 132, and a guidewire tube 134. The first electrically insulative tube 132 and the guidewire tube 134 can be disposed side-by-side within the proximal hypotube segment 128. The first electrically insulative tube 132 can be configured to carry electrical leads (not shown) and to electrically insulate the electrical leads from the proximal hypotube segment 128. The guidewire tube 134 can be configured to carry a guidewire (not shown). The proximal jacket 130 can be disposed around at least a portion of an outer surface of the proximal hypotube segment 128. The proximal hypotube segment 128 can include a proximal stem 136 at its proximal end and a distal skive 138 at its distal end.
With reference again to
In
With reference to
A maximum outer diameter of the band electrodes 204 and the maximum outer diameter of the distal jacket 200 between the reduced-diameter segments 202 can be at least generally equal (e.g., within 5%, 3%, or 2% of one another). Thus, once the band electrodes 204 are respectively seated in the reduced-diameter segments 202, outer surfaces of the band electrodes 204 and the distal jacket 200 between the reduced-diameter segments 202 can be at least generally flush. This can be useful, for example, to reduce or eliminate potentially problematic ridges (e.g., circumferential steps) at distal and proximal ends of the individual band electrodes 204. This, in turn, can reduce or eliminate the need for fillets (e.g., adhesive fillets, such as glue fillets) at the distal and proximal ends of the individual band electrodes 204. In at least some examples, the distal jacket 200 and the band electrodes 204 can be bonded to one another without any exposed adhesive. For example, an adhesive (not shown) can be disposed between the band electrodes 204 and the distal jacket 200 at the reduced-diameter segments 202.
As described above with respect to distal jacket 200, elongated structure 500 defines an inner lumen and one or more reduced-diameter segments 502 (individually identified in
Neuromodulation element 512A further includes one or more electrodes 504 (individually identified in
As shown in
Wire(s) 508 extend generally distally (e.g., in a bottom-to-top direction, from the perspective of
In some examples, wire(s) 508 run in parallel, and each wire or wire pair 508 is electrically coupled to one electrode 504. For instance, as shown in
Elongated structure 500 (e.g., an outer jacket of elongated structure 500) further defines one or more openings or “slots” 516A-516D extending radially through the material of elongated structure 500. In some examples, slots 516 are positioned at least in respective reduced-diameter segments 502A-502C, and in the example shown in
In examples described herein, the relative positions and/or orientations of any or all of electrode(s) 504, coupling point(s) 510 between wire(s) 508 and electrode(s) 504, and slot(s) 516 may be selected such that, in the radially expanded (e.g., helical or coiled) deployed state of neuromodulation element 512 (e.g., as shown in
In the example configuration depicted in
Such helical orientations or distributions of coupling points 510 and jacket slots 516 around elongated structure 500 (e.g., while elongated structure 500 is in a generally low-profile, linear state) could result in the coupling points 510 (e.g., thermocouples) being more-accurately oriented around an outer or exterior coiled surface of a coiled shape defined by elongated structure 500 when elongated structure 500 transitions to the radially expanded, deployed configuration. For instance, depending on a plurality of size and shape parameters of neuromodulation element 512, including, as non-limiting examples, the dimensions (e.g., radius, axial length) of the expanded coil shape, the axial spacing of electrodes 504, the number of “turns” of the expanded coil shape, or the like, a helical-type distribution of jacket slots 516 and coupling points 510 can help ensure that the coupling points 510 are positioned correctly in the subsequent coiled configuration of neuromodulation element 512. As one non-limiting example of these parameters and dimensions, adjacent jacket slots 516 may be spaced longitudinally apart by about 5 mm along longitudinal axis 506, and spaced circumferentially apart by about 60 degrees around longitudinal axis 506.
The example orientations of coupling points 510 and jacket slots 516 depicted in
For instance, as shown in
In particular, locations along the exact center of coiled outer surface 522 collectively define an “origin” line 526 that extends helically around neuromodulation element 512. Any such location along origin line 526 may be referred to as a “zero degree” position. In accordance with some example techniques of this disclosure, the coupling point(s) 510 (as well as corresponding slot(s) 516) are aligned and oriented with respect to one another such that the coupling points 510 and jacket slots 516 are positioned within a threshold arc length 528 from origin line 526 while neuromodulation element 512 is in the deployed state. In some cases, the threshold arc length 528 may extend a maximum of about 90 degrees (e.g., around a circumference of elongated structure 500) on either circumferential side of origin line 528. In some such examples, the threshold arc length 528 may extend about 45 degrees on either circumferential side of origin line 528. In some such examples, the threshold arc length 528 may extend a maximum of about 22.5 degrees on either circumferential side of origin line 528. While the exact orientation of coupling points 510 and slots 516 may be variably selected based on, for example, the number and longitudinal spacing of electrodes 504, the radius of the coil shape formed by neuromodulation element 512 in the deployed state, in some examples, a generally helical orientation of coupling points 510 (e.g., spiraling distally along elongated structure 500), such as that depicted in
The method 600 then includes using a subtractive process (e.g., by laser ablation) to remove portions of the blank and thereby form one or more reduced-diameter segments 202 (e.g., segment(s) 502 of
Alternatively, the distal jacket 200 can be formed by injection molding or another suitable technique that allows the reduced-diameter segments 202 and/or the openings 206 to be formed without the need for a subtractive process. When a subtractive process is used to form the reduced-diameter segments 202, the subtractive process can be precisely controlled so as to leave an innermost portion of a wall of the distal jacket 200 intact at the reduced-diameter segments 202. Laser ablation is one example of a suitable subtractive process for forming the reduced-diameter segments 202. Laser ablation can include loading the blank onto a mandrel and then rotating the blank and the mandrel relative to an ablative laser (or rotating the ablative laser relative to the black and the mandrel) under computerized control. The mandrel can conductively cool the innermost portion of the wall of the distal jacket 200 so as to prevent this portion of the wall from reaching ablative temperatures at the reduced-diameter segments 202. Furthermore, laser ablation and other subtractive processes can be carefully controlled to avoid forming a notch or other indentation in the distal jacket 200 below the floor 206 at the corner 210. When present, such an indentation may unduly decrease the tensile strength of the distal jacket 200. Other techniques for forming the reduced-diameter segments 202 are also possible.
The method 600 can further include jacketing the distal shape-memory structure 142 (block 608) and stringing electrical leads (e.g., the one or more wires or wire pairs 508 of
In some examples, but not all examples, the method 600 can include dispensing an adhesive (block 612) onto the distal jacket 200 at the reduced-diameter segment 202d and positioning the band electrode 204d (e.g., electrode 504A of
As discussed above with reference to
Catheters configured in accordance with at least some examples of the present technology can be well suited (e.g., with respect to sizing, flexibility, operational characteristics, and/or other attributes) for performing renal neuromodulation in human patients. Renal neuromodulation is the partial or complete incapacitation or other effective disruption of nerves of the kidneys (e.g., nerves terminating in the kidneys or in structures closely associated with the kidneys). In particular, renal neuromodulation can include inhibiting, reducing, and/or blocking neural communication along neural fibers (e.g., efferent and/or afferent neural fibers) of the kidneys. Such incapacitation can be long-term (e.g., permanent or for periods of months, years, or decades) or short-term (e.g., for periods of minutes, hours, days, or weeks). Renal neuromodulation is expected to contribute to the systemic reduction of sympathetic tone or drive and/or to benefit at least some specific organs and/or other bodily structures innervated by sympathetic nerves. Accordingly, renal neuromodulation is expected to be useful in treating clinical conditions associated with systemic sympathetic overactivity or hyperactivity, particularly conditions associated with central sympathetic overstimulation. For example, renal neuromodulation is expected to efficaciously treat hypertension, heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, diabetes, left ventricular hypertrophy, chronic and end stage renal disease, inappropriate fluid retention in heart failure, cardio-renal syndrome, polycystic kidney disease, polycystic ovary syndrome, osteoporosis, erectile dysfunction, and sudden death, among other conditions.
Renal neuromodulation can be electrically-induced, thermally-induced, or induced in another suitable manner or combination of manners at one or more suitable treatment locations during a treatment procedure. The treatment location can be within or otherwise proximate to a renal lumen (e.g., a renal artery, a ureter, a renal pelvis, a major renal calyx, a minor renal calyx, or another suitable structure), and the treated tissue can include tissue at least proximate to a wall of the renal lumen. For example, with regard to a renal artery, a treatment procedure can include modulating nerves in the renal plexus, which lay intimately within or adjacent to the adventitia of the renal artery. Various suitable modifications can be made to the catheters described above to accommodate different treatment modalities. For example, the band electrodes 204 can be replaced with transducers to facilitate transducer-based treatment modalities.
Renal neuromodulation can include an electrode-based treatment modality alone or in combination with another treatment modality. Electrode-based treatment can include delivering electricity and/or another form of energy to tissue at or near a treatment location to stimulate and/or heat the tissue in a manner that modulates neural function. For example, sufficiently stimulating and/or heating at least a portion of a sympathetic renal nerve can slow or potentially block conduction of neural signals to produce a prolonged or permanent reduction in renal sympathetic activity. A variety of suitable types of energy can be used to stimulate and/or heat tissue at or near a treatment location. For example, neuromodulation in accordance with examples of the present technology can include delivering RF energy and/or another suitable type of energy. An electrode used to deliver this energy can be used alone or with other electrodes in a multi-electrode array.
Heating effects of electrode-based treatment can include ablation and/or non-ablative alteration or damage (e.g., via sustained heating and/or resistive heating). For example, a treatment procedure can include raising the temperature of target neural fibers to a target temperature above a first threshold to achieve non-ablative alteration, or above a second, higher threshold to achieve ablation. The target temperature can be higher than about body temperature (e.g., about 37° C.) but less than about 45° C. for non-ablative alteration, and the target temperature can be higher than about 45° C. for ablation. Heating tissue to a temperature between about body temperature and about 45° C. can induce non-ablative alteration, for example, via moderate heating of target neural fibers or of luminal structures that perfuse the target neural fibers. In cases where luminal structures are affected, the target neural fibers can be denied perfusion resulting in necrosis of the neural tissue. Heating tissue to a target temperature higher than about 45° C. (e.g., higher than about 60° C.) can induce ablation, for example, via substantial heating of target neural fibers or of luminal structures that perfuse the target fibers. In some patients, it can be desirable to heat tissue to temperatures that are sufficient to ablate the target neural fibers or the luminal structures, but that are less than about 90° C. (e.g., less than about 85° C., less than about 80° C., or less than about 75° C.).
This disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present technology to the precise forms disclosed herein. Although specific examples are disclosed herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible without deviating from the present technology, as those of ordinary skill in the relevant art will recognize. In some cases, well-known structures and functions have not been shown and/or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the examples of the present technology. Although steps of methods may be presented herein in a particular order, in alternative examples the steps may have another suitable order. Similarly, certain aspects of the present technology disclosed in the context of particular examples can be combined or eliminated in other examples. Furthermore, while advantages associated with certain examples may have been disclosed in the context of those examples, other examples may also exhibit such advantages, and not all examples need necessarily exhibit such advantages or other advantages disclosed herein to fall within the scope of the present technology. Accordingly, this disclosure and associated technology can encompass other examples not expressly shown and/or described herein.
The methods disclosed herein include and encompass, in addition to methods of practicing the present technology (e.g., methods of making and using the disclosed devices and systems), methods of instructing others to practice the present technology. For example, a method in accordance with a particular example includes forming a tubular jacket, resiliently deforming the jacket inwardly while passing the jacket through a channel of a band electrode, and positioning the jacket and a hypotube segment relative to one another so that the jacket is disposed around at least a portion of an outer surface of the hypotube segment. A method in accordance with another example includes instructing such a method.
Throughout this disclosure, the singular terms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Similarly, unless the word “or” is expressly limited to mean only a single item exclusive from the other items in reference to a list of two or more items, then the use of “or” in such a list is to be interpreted as including (a) any single item in the list, (b) all of the items in the list, or (c) any combination of the items in the list. Additionally, the terms “comprising” and the like are used throughout this disclosure to mean including at least the recited feature(s) such that any greater number of the same feature(s) and/or one or more additional types of features are not precluded. Directional terms, such as “upper,” “lower,” “front,” “back,” “vertical,” and “horizontal,” may be used herein to express and clarify the relationship between various elements. It should be understood that such terms do not denote absolute orientation. Reference herein to “one example,” “an example,” or similar formulations means that a particular feature, structure, operation, or characteristic described in connection with the example can be included in at least one example of the present technology. Thus, the appearances of such phrases or formulations herein are not necessarily all referring to the same example. Furthermore, various particular features, structures, operations, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more examples of the present technology.
The techniques described in this disclosure, including those attributed to control circuitry, or various constituent components, may be implemented, at least in part, in hardware, software, firmware or any combination thereof. For example, various aspects of the techniques may be implemented within one or more processors, including one or more microprocessors, DSPs, ASICs, FPGAs, or any other equivalent integrated or discrete logic circuitry, as well as any combinations of such components, embodied in programmers, such as clinician or patient programmers, medical devices, or other devices. Processing circuitry, control circuitry, and sensing circuitry, as well as other processors and controllers described herein, may be implemented at least in part as, or include, one or more executable applications, application modules, libraries, classes, methods, objects, routines, subroutines, firmware, and/or embedded code, for example. In addition, analog circuits, components and circuit elements may be employed to construct one, some or all of the control circuitry, instead of or in addition to the partially or wholly digital hardware and/or software described herein. Accordingly, analog or digital hardware may be employed, or a combination of the two. Whether implemented in digital or analog form, or in a combination of the two, control circuitry can comprise a timing circuit.
In one or more examples, the functions described in this disclosure may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on, as one or more instructions or code, a computer-readable medium and executed by a hardware-based processing unit. The computer-readable medium may be an article of manufacture including a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium encoded with instructions. Instructions embedded or encoded in an article of manufacture including a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium encoded, may cause one or more programmable processors, or other processors, to implement one or more of the techniques described herein, such as when instructions included or encoded in the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium are executed by the one or more processors. Example non-transitory computer-readable storage media may include RAM, ROM, programmable ROM (PROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electronically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, a hard disk, a compact disc ROM (CD-ROM), a floppy disk, a cassette, magnetic media, optical media, or any other computer readable storage devices or tangible computer readable media.
In some examples, a computer-readable storage medium comprises non-transitory medium. The term “non-transitory” may indicate that the storage medium is not embodied in a carrier wave or a propagated signal. In certain examples, a non-transitory storage medium may store data that can, over time, change (e.g., in RAM or cache).
The functionality described herein may be provided within dedicated hardware and/or software modules. Depiction of different features as modules or units is intended to highlight different functional aspects and does not necessarily imply that such modules or units must be realized by separate hardware or software components. Rather, functionality associated with one or more modules or units may be performed by separate hardware or software components, or integrated within common or separate hardware or software components. Also, the techniques could be fully implemented in one or more circuits or logic elements.
The following clauses provide some examples of the disclosure. The examples described herein may be combined in any permutation or combination.
Various aspects of the disclosure have been described. These and other aspects are within the scope of the following claims.
Aspects and embodiments of the invention may be defined by the following clauses.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2022/075778 | 9/16/2022 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63250810 | Sep 2021 | US |
