Balloon Catheter Continuous Fluid Circulation for Thermal Ablation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard balloon catheters face challenges in maintaining constant pressure and volume during infusion, especially in thermal ablation applications where the surrounding tissue acts as a thermal sink, rapidly dissipating heat from the balloon.
Innovation Solution
A system with a catheter having an inflow and outflow lumen, a balloon in fluid communication with these lumens, and an infusion device that continuously circulates fluid into and out of the balloon to maintain constant pressure and volume, while optionally heating the fluid to maintain a consistent temperature for thermal ablation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a standard balloon catheter is used for thermal ablation, then the balloon can be positioned at the target tissue, but the surrounding tissue acts as a thermal sink that rapidly dissipates heat from the balloon, preventing effective thermal transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously circulates heated fluid through the balloon catheter, maintaining constant temperature and pressure. The infusion device continuously replenishes the heated fluid in the balloon, ensuring uninterrupted thermal energy delivery to the target tissue despite the thermal sink effect of surrounding tissues.
2Temperature
If fluid is continuously circulated through the balloon to maintain temperature, then thermal transfer to target tissue is improved, but the balloon volume and pressure may fluctuate, compromising continuous tissue contact
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback control where pressure sensors monitor balloon pressure and the infusion device adjusts fluid circulation accordingly. The system continuously monitors balloon pressure and temperature, and automatically adjusts the infusion rate to maintain constant balloon volume and pressure while ensuring continuous heated fluid circulation for effective thermal ablation.
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 solution allows for continuous tissue contact and effective thermal transfer to the target tissue by maintaining the balloon at a constant volume and pressure, overcoming the limitations of standard balloon catheters.
Implementation Method 1
The infusion device may further comprise a heating mechanism to heat the fluid to generate a heated fluid
Implementation Method 2
a surface of the balloon overlying one or more of the heated compartments allows heat from the heated fluid to transfer to and ablate a target tissue
Implementation Method 3
a surface of the balloon overlying one or more of the heated compartments allows heat from the heated fluid to transfer to and ablate a target tissue adjacent to the surface
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for continuous infusion of a fluid, which may be heated, into a balloon catheter. A system for balloon inflation, the system comprising a catheter having an inflow lumen and an outflow lumen, a balloon positioned at a distal end of the catheter, the balloon being in fluid communication with the inflow and the outflow lumen, and an infusion device in fluid communication with the balloon through the inflow and outflow lumens, the infusion device configured for continuously circulating a fluid into and out of the balloon to maintain the balloon at a constant pressure and volume by matching a flow of the fluid into the balloon via the inflow lumen with a flow of the fluid out of the balloon via the outflow lumen in order to keep the balloon volume and pressure constant during an entire infusion.