Mapping and Ablation Catheter Dynamic Electrode Length Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cardiac mapping and ablation catheter systems face challenges in achieving precise mapping with small electrodes while effectively ablating tissue, as small electrodes can lead to rapid temperature rise and insufficient power delivery, and large electrodes compromise mapping precision due to far-field signals.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates capacitive components electrically coupled to the catheter electrodes, allowing energy to pass through them from a radio frequency ablation source, with switches to dynamically adjust electrode configuration for mapping and ablation, and a flexible sheath to expose varying lengths of the electrode tip for precise control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a small electrode tip is used for mapping, then mapping precision is improved, but power delivery capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter system dynamically changes electrode configuration by moving a sheath to expose different lengths of the electrode tip. During mapping, the sheath exposes a shorter tip length (e.g., 0.5-2 mm) for precise electrogram sampling. During ablation, the sheath retracts to expose a longer tip length (e.g., 5-10 mm) for effective power delivery and lesion creation.
2Power
If a large electrode tip is used for ablation, then power delivery capability is improved, but mapping precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a movable sheath to dynamically adjust the exposed electrode tip length. For ablation procedures requiring high power delivery, the sheath is retracted to expose a longer electrode tip (5-10 mm) that can deliver sufficient energy. For mapping procedures requiring precision, the sheath advances to expose only a short tip segment (0.5-2 mm) that minimizes far-field signal pickup.
3Measurement precision
If a small electrode tip is used for ablation, then mapping precision is maintained, but temperature rise speed increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable sheath enables dynamic adjustment of the exposed electrode tip length to control temperature rise. During ablation, the sheath retracts to expose a longer tip length that distributes power over a larger surface area, preventing excessive localized heating while maintaining effective lesion creation. This dynamic configuration control allows the system to manage temperature rise speed while preserving mapping precision capabilities.
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 enables precise mapping and effective ablation by isolating the ablation source when not in use, reducing far-field interference and allowing for variable electrode lengths for optimal energy delivery and precision.
Implementation Method 1
two or more capacitive components, wherein each of the two or more catheter electrodes is electrically coupled to a capacitive component, wherein each capacitive component is electrically coupled to the output of the radio frequency ablation source such that energy delivered to each catheter electrode of the two or more catheter electrodes passes through the capacitive component
Implementation Method 2
radio frequency (RF) energy may be delivered to the same one or more electrodes located about the distal end of the catheter to ablate tissue at the selected site
Data Source
AI summary
A mapping and ablation catheter system including a radio frequency ablation source having an output, a mapping device, a catheter, and two or more capacitive components. The catheter may include two or more catheter electrodes, wherein two of the two or more catheter electrodes may be electrically coupled to the mapping device. Each of the two or more catheter electrodes may be electrically coupled to a capacitive component, wherein each capacitive component may be electrically coupled to the output of the radio frequency ablation source such that energy delivered to each catheter electrode of the two or more catheter electrodes passes through the capacitive component.