Adjustable Ablation Catheter Skeleton for Anatomical Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ablation catheters lack the ability to flexibly adjust their size based on the anatomical structure of the target tissue, leading to complex and time-consuming surgical procedures for treating cardiac arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation.
Innovation Solution
An ablation device with an adjustable support skeleton, comprising an inner and outer sheath catheter and a diameter adjustment module, allowing the radial size to be changed to better fit the target tissue region, combined with a mapping device for detecting electrophysiological signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the ablation catheter uses a fixed-size ablation member, then the structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to different anatomical structures requiring multiple procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The ablation member is designed with a resizable structure that can dynamically change its radial size from a compressed state during delivery to an expanded state at the target site. The support skeleton includes expansion structures that allow the ablation member to adapt to different anatomical structures, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ablation member is nested within a delivery catheter during insertion, allowing it to pass through narrow vessels in a compressed state. Once positioned at the target site, it expands from the nested configuration to its functional size, enabling adaptability without requiring complex external adjustment mechanisms during the procedure.
2Productivity
If the ablation catheter cannot adjust size, then the device structure remains simple, but multiple localization and ablation procedures are required increasing surgical time
Solution Approach 1:
The resizable ablation member allows the physician to adjust the ablation area size dynamically during a single procedure to match different anatomical targets, eliminating the need for multiple procedures. This dynamic adaptability directly improves surgical efficiency despite the added device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the ablation member size is fixed, then manufacturing is simpler, but difficulty in approaching target tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ablation member is designed to be nested within the delivery catheter in a compressed, low-profile configuration that facilitates navigation through narrow vessels and difficult-to-reach anatomical sites. Upon deployment, it expands to its functional size, combining ease of delivery with effective ablation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The transition from a compressed delivery configuration to an expanded functional configuration enables the ablation member to navigate complex anatomical pathways easily, then adapt to the target tissue geometry, improving ease of operation without significantly complicating manufacturing processes.
Data Source
AI summary
An ablation device includes an ablation assembly and an adjustment assembly provided at the proximal end of the ablation assembly. The ablation assembly includes a support skeleton and an ablation member provided on the support skeleton. The adjustment assembly includes an inner sheath catheter, an outer sheath catheter and a diameter adjustment module. The outer and inner sheath catheters are movably sleeved in an axial direction, the distal end of the outer sheath catheter is connected to the proximal end of the support skeleton, the distal end of the inner sheath catheter is connected to the distal end of the support skeleton, and the inner sheath catheter is connected to the diameter adjustment module. The diameter adjustment module is movable in the axial direction to drive the inner sheath catheter to move axially relative to the outer sheath catheter, so that the support skeleton deforms to change its radial size.