Ablation Catheter Energy Source Active Inactive Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices for treating atrial fibrillation, such as those using radiofrequency, microwave, and ultrasound energy, face challenges in creating effective ablation zones that are easy to use, cost-effective, and simple to manufacture, while also being limited to treating one pulmonary vein at a time.
Innovation Solution
A medical device with a housing and energy source that includes an active and inactive portion, capable of delivering ultrasound, radiofrequency, microwave, photonic, thermal, or cryogenic energy to create a zone of ablation, which can be adjusted in angle and depth to block abnormal electrical activity in the heart, and a method for controlling the energy delivery to create a transmural lesion or circular ablation path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a catheter-based system is used to ablate tissue in pulmonary veins, then the treatment becomes less invasive, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into multiple segments including a distal portion with energy delivery elements, an intermediate portion with sensors, and a proximal portion for control. This segmentation allows each section to perform specific functions independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining minimally invasive benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter integrates multiple functions into a single device: energy delivery for ablation, temperature sensing for monitoring, and positioning capabilities. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate devices, reducing procedural complexity while maintaining less invasive treatment approach.
2Reliability
If radiofrequency energy is used to ablate tissue, then the ablation zone can be created effectively, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows dynamic adjustment of energy delivery parameters including power level, pulse duration, and frequency. This flexibility compensates for variations in tissue properties and manufacturing tolerances, ensuring reliable ablation zone creation without requiring extremely precise manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature sensors provide real-time feedback during energy delivery, allowing the system to adjust power levels dynamically. This closed-loop control ensures consistent ablation zone creation despite manufacturing variations in electrode positioning or tissue contact pressure.
3Ease of manufacture
If the ablation device treats one pulmonary vein at a time, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter incorporates multiple energy delivery elements at the distal tip that can simultaneously treat multiple pulmonary vein ostia. This merging of treatment zones into a single device maintains manufacturing simplicity while significantly improving treatment efficiency by addressing multiple veins in one procedure.
4Productivity
If the energy source emits energy continuously, then the ablation zone is created faster, but the temperature control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The energy delivery system uses pulsed or intermittent energy delivery rather than continuous emission. This periodic action allows brief intervals for heat dissipation, preventing excessive temperature rise while maintaining effective ablation speed through repeated energy applications.
Solution Approach 2:
Real-time temperature monitoring provides feedback that automatically modulates energy delivery. When temperature thresholds are approached, the system reduces or pauses energy emission, ensuring safe temperature control while maintaining overall ablation productivity through adaptive power management.
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
The device effectively reduces or eliminates atrial fibrillation by creating a controlled ablation zone that can be easily positioned and adjusted, improving treatment efficacy and simplifying the manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
The energy source may comprise an ultrasound transducer
Implementation Method 2
The energy source may deliver ultrasound energy
Implementation Method 3
The energy source may deliver radiofrequency energy
Implementation Method 4
The energy source may deliver microwave energy
Implementation Method 5
The energy source may deliver photonic energy
Implementation Method 6
The energy source may deliver thermal energy
Implementation Method 7
The energy source may deliver cryogenic energy
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~6
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for treating a patient include an ablation device for treating atrial fibrillation. The device includes a housing having proximal and distal ends, and an energy source adjacent the distal end of the housing. The energy source has an active portion and an inactive portion. The active portion is adapted to deliver energy to tissue when the energy source is energized. This creates a partial or complete zone of ablation in the tissue that blocks abnormal electrical activity, thereby reducing or eliminating atrial fibrillation in the patient. The inactive portion does not emit energy or emits substantially no energy when the energy source is energized.