Balloon Catheter Multi-Electrode Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing balloon catheters face challenges in reliably controlling the surface temperature of the balloon, especially when pressed against a target site at non-coaxial angles, leading to inconsistent ablation therapy outcomes.
Innovation Solution
The balloon catheter system incorporates multiple heating electrodes distributed along the outer circumference of the inner cylinder shaft within the balloon, coupled with an electrode temperature sensor and a liquid-flow-path temperature sensor, to ensure precise control of the balloon's surface temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single heating electrode is used in the balloon, then the device complexity is reduced, but the temperature control reliability deteriorates when the balloon is pressed at non-coaxial angles
Solution Approach 1:
The single heating electrode is divided into multiple heating electrodes (first, second, third, and fourth heating electrodes) distributed around the inner cylinder shaft. This segmentation allows independent temperature control of different balloon regions, ensuring reliable temperature control even when the balloon is pressed at non-coaxial angles against the target site.
Solution Approach 2:
Each heating electrode is positioned at a specific location (proximal/distal ends and intermediate positions) around the inner cylinder shaft, creating local heating zones. This local quality approach enables targeted temperature control of specific balloon segments, maintaining effective ablation temperature at the contact region regardless of the balloon's orientation.
2Temperature
If high-frequency current conduction is applied to heat the liquid, then the heating efficiency is improved, but a temperature gradient is generated around the heating electrode causing inconsistent surface temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is segmented into multiple heating electrodes positioned at different locations around the inner cylinder shaft. This distribution of heating sources creates multiple localized heating zones that collectively heat the liquid more uniformly, reducing temperature gradients while maintaining overall heating efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating approach transitions from a single-point (or single-line) heating source to a multi-dimensional distributed heating arrangement. By placing heating electrodes at proximal, distal, and intermediate positions around the shaft, the heating is distributed in multiple spatial dimensions, achieving more uniform liquid temperature without sacrificing total heating power.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the balloon is pressed against the target site at various angles, then the adaptability to different anatomical configurations is improved, but the temperature control consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon's heating system is segmented into multiple independently controllable heating electrodes positioned around the inner cylinder shaft. This segmentation allows selective activation of heating zones corresponding to the actual contact region, maintaining consistent temperature control regardless of the balloon's angular orientation against the target site.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-electrode configuration provides universal temperature control capability across all angular orientations. By having heating electrodes distributed around the entire circumference, the system can effectively heat the balloon surface at any contact angle, making the temperature control system universally effective for various anatomical configurations.
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
This configuration allows for consistent and reliable control of the balloon's surface temperature, regardless of the angle of contact, thereby enhancing the effectiveness and consistency of ablation therapy.
Implementation Method 1
high-frequency current conduction (high-frequency energization) is performed to the heating electrode to pass a high-frequency current between the heating electrode and the counter electrode, so that the liquid in the balloon generates Joule heat
Implementation Method 2
the electrode temperature sensor is provided in the balloon to acquire information on a temperature of the heating electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
A balloon catheter includes a balloon, a catheter shaft, a heating unit, and an electrode temperature sensor. The catheter shaft has an outer cylinder shaft connected to the proximal end of the balloon, and an inner cylinder shaft extending into the balloon to be connected to the distal end of the balloon. The inner cylinder shaft passes inside the outer cylinder shaft. The gap between the inner cylinder shaft and the outer cylinder shaft defines a liquid flow path leading to the inner space of the balloon. The heating unit includes multiple heating electrodes. The multiple heating electrodes are distributed over the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder shaft in the balloon. The electrode temperature sensor is provided in the balloon to acquire information on the temperature of the heating electrodes.