Ablation Electrode Thermocouple Positioning for Tissue Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ablation electrodes for heart treatments face challenges in accurately measuring temperature at the point of contact with tissue, leading to potential excessive heating or charring, due to the placement of thermocouples at the electrode's edge rather than the central band, which may not accurately represent the temperature of the working section.
Innovation Solution
A ring ablation electrode with a thermocouple formed by a first and second conducting layer separated by an electrically insulating layer, positioned centrally to accurately measure the temperature at the region of contact with tissue, ensuring accurate temperature sensing and preventing tissue damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the thermocouple is attached at the edge of the ablation electrode, then the thermocouple can be easily positioned and manufactured, but the temperature measurement accuracy at the tissue contact point deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from measuring temperature at the edge (one-dimensional perimeter location) to measuring at the central band (two-dimensional central region), fundamentally changing the measurement dimension to better represent the tissue contact area where ablation occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different functional zones to different parts of the electrode: the central band is designated for temperature measurement (local quality of measurement), while the edge remains for ablation function (local quality of treatment), optimizing each zone for its specific purpose
2Device complexity
If the thermocouple is positioned at the edge of the ablation electrode, then the device structure is simplified, but the representativeness of temperature measurement for the tissue contact area deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention moves the measurement location from the peripheral edge to the central dimensional region of the electrode, capturing temperature data from the zone that best represents actual tissue contact conditions during ablation
Solution Approach 2:
The central band location serves dual purposes: it is both the primary tissue contact area for ablation and the optimal location for temperature measurement, making the measurement point universally representative of the functional working area
3Area of stationary object
If the ablation electrode is made longer to treat larger tissue areas, then the treatment coverage is improved, but the temperature difference between edge and center increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recognizes that different regions of a long electrode have different thermal characteristics and design functions: the central band experiences higher temperatures and is the primary treatment zone, while edges experience lower temperatures and serve as thermal management zones, with temperature measurement specifically targeted at the central region
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
This configuration allows for precise temperature measurement at the central region of the electrode, reducing the risk of excessive heating and improving the accuracy of ablation procedures by ensuring the thermocouple is positioned where it is most representative of the tissue contact area.
Implementation Method 1
The thermocouple is positioned on the first layer to measure a temperature of a region of the cylindrical body, the region centrally-located between the proximal and distal ends of the cylindrical body
Data Source
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AI summary
This disclosure is directed to an ablation electrode (110) having a cylindrical body in which a first conducting layer has an exterior surface and an interior surface and a second conducting layer is connected to a desired position on the interior surface of the first conducting layer forming a thermocouple (114) at the desired position.