Energy Delivery Pathway Fault Detection in Cardiac Ablation

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Solution Overview

Problem

During cardiac ablation procedures, the energy delivery pathway can degrade due to issues in the catheter, interconnecting cables, or the catheter electrode distribution system, leading to potential hazards and increased costs, as existing methods lack effective means to confirm the integrity of the pathway in real-time.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that utilize a processing unit to calculate blood impedances and compare impedance values at different frequencies to identify faults in the energy delivery pathway, preventing energy delivery when a compromised pathway is detected and determining the location of faults within the device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If impedance measurements are performed at multiple frequencies to identify faults, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault detection accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption for measurements

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs impedance measurements at multiple frequencies (excessive action) to ensure accurate fault detection, accepting the increased energy consumption as necessary for safety. The measurements go beyond a single frequency to provide comprehensive pathway integrity verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses impedance measurement feedback at multiple frequencies to determine pathway integrity before allowing energy delivery. The feedback mechanism compares measured impedances against expected values to identify faults, ensuring safe operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the catheter is exchanged to ensure pathway integrity, then reliability is improved, but loss of time and productivity worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepathway integrityVSAvoidoperational time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary impedance measurements at multiple frequencies before energy delivery to verify pathway integrity. This preliminary assessment prevents unnecessary catheter exchanges by accurately identifying actual faults versus normal variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the mechanical solution of catheter exchange with an electrical measurement-based solution. Instead of physically replacing the catheter to ensure integrity, the system uses multi-frequency impedance measurements to verify pathway safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If continuous monitoring of pathway integrity is implemented, then reliability is improved, but use of energy and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time pathway verificationVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The impedance measurement system serves multiple functions: it characterizes the delivery pathway, identifies faults, and verifies safety for energy delivery. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate monitoring systems while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system monitors pathway integrity by changing the frequency parameter of impedance measurements. By measuring at multiple frequencies rather than a single frequency, the system achieves continuous verification without requiring additional hardware complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables safe and effective energy delivery by identifying and preventing faults in the energy delivery pathway, reducing the risk of patient harm and unnecessary catheter exchanges, while minimizing operational time and expenses.

Implementation Method 1

calculate blood impedances external to the device... calculate impedances within the device... compare times for two different frequencies to travel a predetermined distance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Impedance: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentUS20240374302A1Method of confirming safe delivery pathway to patient prior to energy delivery

Publication Date: 2024.11.14 MEDTRONIC INC

AI summary

Systems and methods to confirm safe delivery of treatment energy to a patient by identifying a presence of a fault in an energy delivery pathway and identifying a location of the fault within the device. The system includes a processing unit configured to calculate blood impedances external to the device based on known impedance characteristics of the device, and then to calculate impedances within the device during energy delivery based on the calculated blood impedances. The processing unit prevents the delivery of energy in an energy delivery pathway that is determined to be compromised. The processing unit is also configured to compare times for two different frequencies to travel a predetermined distance, the difference in the times corresponding to a location of a fault within the energy delivery pathway.