Ablation Catheter Optical Viewports for Contact Stability Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current ablation systems face challenges in assessing the quality of contact between the catheter tip and the target tissue, affecting the accuracy of optical measurements and consistency of ablation results due to variability in factors such as electrical power, tissue properties, and blood flow.
Innovation Solution
The system employs optical systems and catheters with viewports to perform multiple optical measurements, analyzing differences in scattered illumination to determine catheter-tissue contact and predict lesion depths using optical properties like birefringence and phase retardation, integrating with a processing device for real-time monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical measurements are performed to assess catheter-tissue contact quality, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to integration of optical systems with catheters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines optical measurement components (illumination sources, detectors, viewports) directly with the catheter structure to create an integrated ablation system. This merging allows simultaneous performance of ablation and optical contact assessment, improving measurement precision while managing complexity through functional integration rather than separate devices
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter is designed to perform multiple functions: delivering ablation energy, performing optical measurements for contact assessment, and potentially guiding the procedure. The viewports and optical components enable the same device to serve both therapeutic and diagnostic purposes, reducing overall system complexity compared to separate specialized devices
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple optical measurements are performed to predict lesion depths, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to additional measurement steps
Solution Approach 1:
The optical measurements are performed continuously or near-continuously during the ablation procedure rather than as separate discrete steps. The system can take multiple measurements at different depths and locations without significantly delaying the overall treatment time, as the ablation and measurement processes overlap in time
Solution Approach 2:
Optical measurements are performed before ablation to assess contact quality and predict lesion depth. This preliminary assessment allows the operator to adjust parameters in advance, ensuring accurate lesion depth prediction while avoiding time-consuming adjustments during the actual ablation process
3Reliability
If real-time optical monitoring is implemented to provide feedback on catheter stability, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to integration of monitoring systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors optical properties of the tissue-catheter interface and provides real-time feedback on contact quality and stability. This feedback loop allows automatic adjustment of ablation parameters or alerting of the operator, significantly improving ablation consistency and reliability through closed-loop control
Solution Approach 2:
The optical monitoring system provides self-diagnostic capabilities by automatically assessing contact quality and stability without requiring external intervention. The system monitors its own performance and adjusts or alerts as needed, improving reliability while minimizing the complexity of external monitoring infrastructure
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
Enhances the accuracy of contact assessment and lesion depth prediction, reducing variability in ablation outcomes by providing real-time feedback on catheter stability and tissue changes.
Implementation Method 1
receiving, at the viewport, first scattered illumination from the target tissue
Implementation Method 2
optical properties (e.g., birefringence, polarization, and/or phase retardation of tissue)
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are systems and methods for performing optical signal analysis for tissue ablation using a catheter having viewports. A method includes transmitting illumination toward a target tissue via the viewport. The method also includes receiving, at a first viewport, a first scattered illumination from the target tissue and generating a first measurement signal based on the first scattered illumination. The method also includes receiving, at the first viewport, a second scattered illumination from the target tissue after the receiving of the first scattered illumination and generating a second measurement signal based on the second scattered illumination. The method also includes determining whether the viewport is in contact with the target tissue based on a first difference among the plurality of optical measurements meeting or crossing a first threshold value, wherein the first difference comprises a difference between the first and second measurement signals.