Ablation System with Reflected Energy Sensor for Lesion Depth Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating atrial fibrillation using ultrasound energy face challenges in achieving a substantially transmural lesion due to difficulties in aligning the energy delivery device with the target tissue and accommodating tissue motion during ablation, which can result in inadequate or excessive tissue damage.
Innovation Solution
An ablation system equipped with an energy source and sensor that provides a beam of energy and senses energy reflected from the tissue, allowing for real-time adjustment of operating parameters based on gap distance and tissue motion, enabling precise control of lesion depth and preventing overheating or under-treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the energy source is positioned too close to the tissue, then the energy delivery efficiency is improved, but the risk of tissue damage and device overheating increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the gap distance between the energy source and tissue using a sensor, and feeds this information back to the control system. The control system adjusts the energy delivery parameters in real-time based on the monitored gap distance, ensuring optimal energy delivery while preventing tissue damage and device overheating.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the energy delivery parameters based on real-time gap distance measurements. The control system modifies power levels, pulse duration, and other parameters adaptively as the gap distance changes during the ablation process, allowing the system to maintain optimal performance across varying positions.
2Reliability
If the energy source is positioned too far from the tissue, then the safety of the device is improved, but the ability to create a substantially transmural lesion is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor continuously monitors the gap distance and provides feedback to the control system, which adjusts energy delivery parameters to ensure sufficient energy reaches the tissue to create a substantially transmural lesion, while maintaining safety margins.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system changes energy delivery parameters such as power level, pulse duration, and energy density adaptively based on the monitored gap distance. When the gap increases, the system compensates by adjusting parameters to maintain adequate energy delivery for creating the necessary lesion depth.
3Measurement precision
If real-time monitoring and adjustment of gap distance is implemented, then the precision of lesion depth control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system serves multiple functions: it monitors gap distance for control purposes, provides feedback for real-time parameter adjustment, and can detect tissue contact events. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own sensor to monitor its own position and gap distance, enabling self-regulation of energy delivery parameters without requiring external monitoring equipment or manual measurement by the operator.
4Reliability
If the ablation device is advanced into the left atrium for treatment, then the treatment effectiveness is improved, but the risk of damaging surrounding structures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor provides real-time feedback on the device position and gap distance, allowing the control system to adjust energy delivery parameters to ensure treatment effectiveness while preventing damage to surrounding structures such as the mitral valve and left ventricle.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts energy delivery parameters based on real-time position information, allowing safe navigation and treatment delivery near critical structures while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness through adaptive control.
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 system effectively creates a contiguous lesion for conduction block, reducing fibrillation by ensuring proper alignment and adjusting for tissue motion, thereby improving the efficacy and safety of the ablation process.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor senses energy reflected back from the target tissue
Implementation Method 2
The target tissue is ablated with ultrasound energy emitted by one or more ultrasound transducers
Implementation Method 3
The most common methodology is the use of radio-frequency (RF) electrical energy to heat the muscle tissue and thereby ablate it
Implementation Method 4
Less invasive treatments have been developed which involve use of some form of energy to ablate (or kill) the tissue surrounding the aberrant focal point
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for ablating tissue include an ablation device having an energy source and a sensor. The energy source provides a beam of energy directable to target tissue, and the sensor senses energy reflected back from the target tissue. The sensor collects various information from the target tissue in order to facilitate adjustment of ablation operating parameters, such as changing power or position of the energy beam. Gap distance between the energy source and target tissue, energy beam incident angle, tissue motion, tissue type, lesion depth, etc. are examples of some of the information that may be collected during the ablation process and used to help control ablation of the tissue.