Ablation Catheter Irrigation With Progressive Cavity Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing irrigation systems in ablation procedures face challenges in maintaining a steady and continuous fluid flow rate, leading to inconsistent temperature control at the ablation site, which can result in tissue charring or excessive injury.
Innovation Solution
The use of a progressive cavity pump (PCP) to deliver irrigation fluid, which includes a rotor and stator configuration with controlled rotation to maintain a continuous and smooth flow rate, calibrated to target values, and optionally adjusted based on temperature feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a peristaltic pump is used to deliver irrigation fluid, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but the fluid flow rate is not steady and continuous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the peristaltic pump's mechanical compression mechanism with an electrically driven syringe pump mechanism. The syringe pump uses a motor-driven plunger to push fluid through a linear, steady flow path, eliminating the pulsating compression cycles of peristaltic pumps while maintaining ease of operation through electronic control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameter from intermittent mechanical compression (peristaltic) to continuous linear displacement (syringe pump). This parameter change transforms the flow characteristics from pulsating to steady and continuous, while the system remains easy to operate through programmed control.
2Device complexity
If the irrigation fluid flow rate is not steady, then the pump design is simpler, but the temperature control at the ablation site becomes inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the peristaltic pump's complex compression mechanics with a simpler syringe pump mechanism that provides inherently steady flow. This mechanical substitution simultaneously improves temperature control consistency while maintaining or reducing overall system complexity.
3Productivity
If higher power is injected to reduce procedure time, then productivity increases, but the risk of excessive tissue injury increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements temperature feedback control where the irrigation flow rate is automatically adjusted based on real-time temperature measurements at the ablation site. This feedback mechanism allows higher power injection to reduce procedure time while maintaining safe temperature control, as the system dynamically compensates to prevent excessive tissue injury.
4Temperature
If the irrigation flow rate is increased to prevent tissue charring, then temperature control improves, but the complexity of flow rate control increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses temperature feedback to automatically control irrigation flow rate, eliminating the need for complex manual flow rate adjustment mechanisms. The system simply increases or decreases flow based on temperature sensor readings, improving temperature control while keeping the control system relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The irrigation system performs self-regulation by automatically adjusting flow rate in response to temperature changes. The system monitors its own performance through temperature sensing and autonomously corrects deviations, eliminating the need for external complex control mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures a stable and continuous irrigation fluid flow, maintaining the ablation site temperature close to a target, reducing the risk of tissue damage and improving procedural outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
pumping irrigation fluid from an irrigation reservoir through a catheter to an ablation site using a progressive cavity pump (PCP). The PCP may include a housing, a rotor, a stator, and a pair of ports
Implementation Method 2
Tissue irrigation is necessary during ablation of the myocardium, to prevent problems such as tissue charring, or cavitation... the temperature of the myocardium tissue should remain as close as possible to a target temperature
Data Source
AI summary
In one exemplary mode, a system includes a progressive cavity pump (PCP) comprising a housing, a rotor, a stator, and ports, one port being configured to be connected to an irrigation reservoir, an ablation catheter comprising at least one ablation electrode, at least one irrigation hole, and an irrigation channel having a distal end connected to the irrigation hole(s), and a proximal end configured to be connected to another port of the PCP, a motor comprising a drive shaft which is configured to be connected to the PCP, and drive rotation of, the rotor of the progressive cavity pump, and a controller configured to control a rotatory speed of the motor to control a flow rate of the PCP so as to pump irrigation fluid from the irrigation reservoir into the irrigation channel and out of the irrigation hole(s) of the ablation catheter.