Temperature Measurement Probe for Cardiac Ablation Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ablation therapy for treating atrial fibrillation faces challenges in accurately monitoring tissue temperature during cardiac catheter ablation, leading to potential thermal injuries of adjacent healthy tissues, particularly the esophagus, resulting in complications like atrioesophageal fistulas due to the lack of effective thermal feedback and precise temperature measurement.
Innovation Solution
A temperature measurement probe with an elongate member and a sensor assembly that provides a temperature map of multiple patient locations, using non-contact infrared sensors to detect temperature changes and correlate them to absolute or relative temperatures, allowing for precise monitoring of tissue temperatures without physical contact, and includes features like a rotating mirror and fiber optic transmission to gather comprehensive temperature data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If luminal esophageal temperature monitoring catheters are used to provide thermal feedback, then the risk of esophageal injury can be reduced, but the measurement precision is insufficient and positioning is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The probe divides the temperature monitoring function into multiple independent temperature sensors positioned at different locations along the probe shaft. This segmentation allows simultaneous measurement of temperature at multiple points, improving both measurement precision and the ability to detect temperature gradients that single-point sensors miss.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe transitions from single-point temperature measurement to multi-point spatial temperature mapping by arranging sensors along the longitudinal dimension of the esophagus. This dimensional expansion provides comprehensive thermal feedback across the esophageal wall, enabling precise identification of thermal injury risks.
2Device complexity
If single-point temperature monitoring is used, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision and ability to detect thermal injury are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The probe divides the temperature monitoring function into multiple independent temperature sensors positioned at different locations along the probe shaft. This segmentation allows simultaneous measurement of temperature at multiple points, improving both measurement precision and the ability to detect temperature gradients that single-point sensors miss.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe transitions from single-point temperature measurement to multi-point spatial temperature mapping by arranging sensors along the longitudinal dimension of the esophagus. This dimensional expansion provides comprehensive thermal feedback across the esophageal wall, enabling precise identification of thermal injury risks.
3Loss of information
If the temperature monitoring catheter is positioned adjacent to the ablation catheter, then thermal feedback is obtained, but the positioning is time-consuming and difficult under x-ray guidance
Solution Approach 1:
The probe combines multiple temperature sensors, positioning elements, and signal processing capabilities into a single integrated unit that can be simultaneously positioned with the ablation catheter. This merging allows the operator to obtain comprehensive thermal feedback from multiple esophageal locations during the same procedure without requiring separate positioning steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe incorporates real-time temperature measurement and feedback mechanisms that provide immediate thermal information to the operator during the ablation procedure. This feedback enables dynamic adjustment of ablation parameters based on actual temperature changes, eliminating the need for time-consuming pre-positioning and allowing continuous monitoring throughout the procedure.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If avoidance techniques are used to minimize esophageal injury risk, then thermal injury to the esophagus is reduced, but the arrhythmia recurrence rates increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The probe incorporates real-time temperature measurement and feedback mechanisms that provide immediate thermal information to the operator during the ablation procedure. This feedback enables dynamic adjustment of ablation parameters based on actual temperature changes, eliminating the need for time-consuming pre-positioning and allowing continuous monitoring throughout the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe performs preliminary temperature mapping of the esophageal wall before energy delivery to identify areas at risk. This preliminary action allows the operator to plan the ablation trajectory to avoid thermal injury while maintaining effective ablation of the target tissue, thereby preventing both esophageal injury and arrhythmia recurrence.
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 probe enables precise temperature monitoring of tissue during ablation procedures, reducing the risk of thermal injuries to adjacent tissues and improving the accuracy of energy delivery, thereby minimizing complications such as atrioesophageal fistulas and reducing procedure time and arrhythmia recurrence rates.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor assembly includes an array of passive and/or active infrared sensors configured to detect a non-temperature change, such as a non-temperature change in the multiple tissue locations that can be correlated to an absolute temperature or a relative temperature
Implementation Method 2
A transmission conduit is positioned between the elongate tube distal portion and the sensor assembly portion, such as a transmission conduit including a hollow tube with a lens and/or mirror positioned at or proximate to its distal end
Implementation Method 3
A portion of the sensor assembly is located in a more proximal location, such as in a handle or other proximal portion of the elongate tube, and/or in a separate device that is electrically or optically coupled to the probe
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A temperature measurement probe for a patient is provided. The probe includes a sensor assembly and produces a temperature map comprising temperature information for multiple patient locations.