Catheter Annular Lumen for Distal Flushing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cardiac mapping catheters face challenges in effectively flushing the deployable electrode array inside the heart to prevent blood clot formation during procedures, which can lead to arrhythmia treatment complications.
Innovation Solution
The catheter incorporates a deployable array with an irrigation system featuring a polymeric irrigation tube surrounding a deployment shaft, forming an annular lumen to efficiently deliver saline solution or anticoagulant fluid to the array, allowing for efficient flushing and reducing clot formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a traditional catheter design with separate irrigation channels is used, then irrigation fluid delivery is achieved, but the catheter diameter increases and maneuverability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The irrigation tube is positioned within the deployment shaft lumen, creating a nested configuration where the irrigation system is contained within the deployment mechanism. This allows the irrigation function to be integrated without increasing the overall catheter diameter, as the irrigation tube shares the internal space with the deployment shaft.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a traditional side-branch irrigation architecture to a concentric annular lumen configuration. By utilizing the annular space between the irrigation tube outer surface and the deployment shaft inner surface, the design efficiently uses available volume without extending the catheter diameter, effectively adding irrigation capability in a dimensional optimization manner.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a larger diameter catheter is used to accommodate separate irrigation channels, then irrigation functionality is improved, but ease of operation and maneuverability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The irrigation tube and deployment shaft are combined into a single integrated assembly where the irrigation tube surrounds the deployment shaft. This merging of functions allows both irrigation fluid delivery and array deployment to occur through a single catheter structure, eliminating the need for separate irrigation channels and maintaining catheter flexibility for easy manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The annular lumen formed by the irrigation tube and deployment shaft serves multiple functions: it provides a pathway for irrigation fluid delivery while simultaneously accommodating the deployment shaft's movement for array deployment. This multi-functional design allows the catheter to perform both irrigation and deployment tasks without requiring separate dedicated channels, thereby maintaining maneuverability.
3Reliability
If irrigation fluid is delivered through the catheter body, then clot prevention is achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The irrigation tube is self-contained within the deployment shaft lumen, with its own lumen for fluid delivery. The system uses the existing deployment shaft structure as part of the irrigation pathway, rather than requiring separate irrigation channels. This self-service approach allows irrigation fluid to be delivered through the same catheter structure used for deployment, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable clot prevention.
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 design enables effective flushing of the electrode array, reducing blood clot formation and allowing for a less invasive, smaller diameter catheter with improved maneuverability and functionality during cardiac mapping and ablation procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The annular lumen is configured to carry irrigation fluid from the manifold to the array
Data Source
AI summary
A mapping catheter including an elongate catheter body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, a handle connected to the proximal end of the catheter body, an electrode array connected to the distal end, a deployment shaft, and an irrigation system. The catheter body includes at least one lumen. The irrigation system includes a manifold and a thin, polymeric irrigation tube. The manifold is disposed within the handle and is connectable to a source of irrigation fluid. The irrigation tube is connected to the manifold and extends around the deployment shaft from the manifold to the distal end of the catheter through the catheter body lumen. The irrigation tube forms an annular lumen between an inner surface of the irrigation tube and an outer surface of the deployment shaft. The annular lumen is configured to carry irrigation fluid from the manifold to the array.