Expandable Ablation Device with Nested Sensor Probe
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cardiac ablation technologies face challenges in precisely positioning and aligning sensor probes with the ablation region, particularly for forming ring-like lesions around pulmonary veins, which can hinder effective monitoring and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes an expansible ablation device and a removable sensor probe that can be automatically aligned with the ablation region through a continuous passageway, allowing for real-time monitoring of electrical activity before, during, or after ablation, and can be easily introduced or removed without interrupting the procedure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor probe is used to monitor electrical activity during cardiac ablation, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for separate positioning and alignment procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor probe is integrated with the ablation device, combining the monitoring and ablation functions into a single unified structure. This eliminates the need for separate positioning procedures and reduces overall device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor probe is positioned within the ablation device structure, with the sensor elements nested within the ablation catheter framework. This nested arrangement allows the sensor to be pre-positioned and automatically aligned with the ablation region, simplifying the procedural workflow.
2Ease of operation
If a removable sensor probe is used, then ease of operation is improved by allowing flexible positioning and removal, but reliability may be reduced due to potential misalignment or loss during procedure
Solution Approach 1:
A retention mechanism or guiding structure acts as an intermediary between the removable sensor probe and the ablation device, ensuring proper alignment and secure positioning during the procedure while still allowing for controlled removal when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor probe is pre-positioned or pre-aligned within the ablation device before the procedure begins, ensuring correct orientation and location is established in advance, which maintains reliability during the actual ablation process.
3Reliability
If the sensor probe is permanently integrated into the ablation device, then reliability of alignment is improved, but adaptability decreases as different sensor configurations cannot be used for different procedural needs
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor probe is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to be positioned, removed, and repositioned as needed during the procedure. This dynamic design maintains reliable alignment through guided positioning mechanisms while preserving adaptability for different procedural requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing function is segmented from the ablation function, allowing the sensor probe to be a separate, interchangeable component. This segmentation enables different sensor configurations to be used with the same ablation device, maintaining adaptability while ensuring reliable alignment through the modular interface.
4Reliability
If the ablation device is expanded to deliver treatment, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but the device occupies more space making sensor probe introduction more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor probe is introduced into the collapsed ablation device before expansion occurs. This preliminary action allows the sensor to be positioned within the compact structure, and then the device is expanded around the already-positioned sensor, ensuring both easy introduction and effective treatment delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor probe is nested within the collapsed ablation device structure, allowing the sensor to be housed within the compact form factor during introduction. Upon expansion, the sensor remains positioned within the expanded structure, maintaining both ease of introduction and treatment effectiveness.
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 solution enables precise alignment and monitoring of electrical activity during cardiac ablation, allowing for more effective treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, while maintaining procedural efficiency and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
actuated to apply energy in a loop-like region, having a predetermined spatial relationship to the ablation device, and thereby ablate the tissue in this region so as to form a lesion
Implementation Method 2
detecting electrical signals in the subject using the sensing probe
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for cardiac ablation and to sensor structures useful in such apparatus and methods.