Catheter Control Algorithm for Consistent Neuromodulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for controlling energy delivery to electrodes in neuromodulation procedures face challenges in maintaining consistent energy delivery due to varying tissue impedance, leading to inconsistent and inefficient treatments.
Innovation Solution
A catheter treatment device with a control algorithm that regulates current or current density delivered to electrodes, adjusting based on measured temperature, voltage, and impedance to optimize neuromodulation and maintain consistent energy delivery despite changes in tissue impedance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional energy delivery methods are used without impedance compensation, then the system is simpler to operate, but energy delivery consistency deteriorates due to varying tissue impedance
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously measures tissue impedance during energy delivery and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust delivery parameters. The controller monitors impedance changes in real-time and modifies voltage, current, or pulse duration to compensate for impedance variations, ensuring consistent energy delivery to the target tissue despite physiological changes during the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system transitions from static pre-programmed protocols to dynamic real-time adjustment of delivery parameters. The system adapts impedance compensation algorithms during the procedure based on measured impedance values, allowing the delivery parameters to change dynamically throughout the procedure rather than remaining fixed, thereby maintaining energy delivery consistency.
2Reliability
If higher energy is delivered to overcome impedance variations, then energy delivery consistency improves, but adverse thermal effects on the vessel wall worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of simply increasing overall energy delivery, the system changes multiple delivery parameters simultaneously - adjusting voltage, current, pulse duration, and pulse interval - to optimize energy transfer efficiency. By modifying these parameters based on real-time impedance measurements, the system achieves consistent energy delivery to target tissue while distributing thermal load more evenly and avoiding excessive localized heating of the vessel wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pulsed energy delivery with variable pulse intervals rather than continuous energy application. By delivering energy in controlled pulses with appropriate intervals for thermal dissipation, the system maintains effective neuromodulation while allowing the vessel wall to cool between pulses, thereby reducing adverse thermal effects while preserving energy delivery consistency to the target tissue.
3Measurement precision
If manual impedance monitoring and adjustment is performed, then measurement precision is lower, but the control algorithm complexity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-diagnosis and self-adjustment by automatically measuring impedance, processing the measurements through embedded algorithms, and adjusting delivery parameters without requiring manual intervention. The controller continuously monitors impedance, automatically detects deviations from target values, and implements compensation adjustments, enabling the system to maintain optimal performance autonomously throughout the procedure.
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 solution enables more consistent, predictable, and efficient neuromodulation by controlling the energy delivered to the electrodes, ensuring effective treatment while minimizing adverse thermal effects on the vessel wall.
Implementation Method 1
delivering a current through the electrode to a vessel wall of the patient
Implementation Method 2
measuring an impedance of the vessel wall
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus, systems, and methods of controlling energy delivered to electrodes used in electrically and/or thermally induced neuromodulation are provided to improve neuromodulation. In particular, a catheter treatment device having a control algorithm that regulates current or current density delivered to an electrode is provided. The electrode may maintain a known and consistent electrode contact surface area with the vessel. The control algorithm controls energy delivery to provide consistent current or current density to the treatment site, even though the tissue impedance Z may vary from patient to patient and vessel to vessel, and despite changes in impedance of the treatment site during the course of the treatment. The controlled delivery of energy can be used to control and maintain placement of the zone of thermal treatment and reduce undesirable energy delivery to unwanted locations near the treatment site.