Balloon Ablation Catheter Reinforcement Wire Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Balloon ablation catheters experience elongation of the catheter shaft due to heating, which affects operational usability and can cause unintended burns from abnormal heating of the reinforcement wire.
Innovation Solution
A balloon ablation catheter design with a reinforcement wire in a thick section of the catheter shaft, where the wire is positioned such that the shortest distance from the wire to the catheter shaft surface is greater than the balloon's wall thickness, preventing heat-induced elongation and minimizing high-frequency current flow through the wire.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a metal reinforcement wire is installed in the catheter shaft to suppress elongation due to heating, then the catheter shaft maintains its shape and operational usability, but high-frequency current flows through the metal wire causing abnormal heating and burn risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the metal reinforcement wire from the catheter shaft structure. By extracting the harmful metal component that conducts high-frequency current, the design eliminates the source of abnormal heating and burn risk while maintaining catheter shaft stability through alternative non-conductive reinforcement methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an insulating coating layer as an intermediary between the catheter shaft structure and any reinforcement elements. This mediator prevents high-frequency current from flowing through reinforcement wires by providing electrical insulation, thereby eliminating the harmful heating effect while allowing the wire to maintain structural stability
2Temperature
If high-frequency current is applied to heat the balloon for ablation, then the affected tissue is treated effectively, but the catheter shaft elongates under tensile strength adversely affecting operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the catheter shaft into multiple sections with different reinforcement characteristics. By dividing the shaft structure and applying localized reinforcement strategies in different segments, the design maintains overall shaft length stability during heating while allowing the balloon to achieve the necessary temperature for effective tissue ablation
3Length of moving object
If the catheter shaft is made thinner to improve insertability, then the catheter can be inserted more easily into the patient, but the reinforcement wire becomes exposed or the structure becomes too flexible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials in the catheter shaft construction, combining flexible polymer materials with embedded non-conductive reinforcement elements. This composite structure allows the shaft to maintain thin dimensions for easy insertability while providing sufficient structural integrity and preventing reinforcement wire exposure through the shaft wall
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 design prevents elongation of the catheter shaft during heating and reduces the risk of burns by ensuring high-frequency current primarily flows to the electrode in the balloon, maintaining operational usability and safety.
Implementation Method 1
heating the balloon by allowing high-frequency current to flow between a counter electrode plate attached to the body surface of the patient and an electrode in the balloon
Implementation Method 2
a catheter shaft containing a reinforcement wire in a thick section... the shortest distance from the surface of the reinforcement wire to the surface of the catheter shaft is greater than the wall thickness of the thinnest portion of the balloon
Data Source
AI summary
A balloon ablation catheter includes a catheter shaft containing a reinforcement wire in a thick section; a balloon provided at an end of the catheter shaft; and a high-frequency electric current electrode arranged in the balloon; which balloon ablation catheter satisfies L>t, wherein L represents the shortest distance from the surface of the reinforcement wire to the surface of the catheter shaft, and t represents the wall thickness of the thinnest portion of the balloon.