Catheter Flow Balancing Valve for Multi-Electrode Irrigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current irrigated catheters require multiple pump units for delivering irrigation fluid to multiple electrodes, which is inefficient and increases fluid load on patients during ablation procedures, especially for complex catheters needing focal and linear ablation capabilities without repositioning.
Innovation Solution
An irrigated catheter with at least two lumens and a coaxial irrigation system featuring a valve with a plunger assembly that adjusts flow rates between the lumens, allowing for independent control of fluid flow to tip and ring electrodes without external inputs, using a spring member to regulate fluid pressure and flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple pump units are used to deliver irrigation fluid to multiple electrodes, then independent flow control to each electrode is achieved, but device complexity and fluid load on patients increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple pump functions into a single pump unit by incorporating a flow splitter with adjustable flow division capabilities. The flow splitter includes a first outlet connected to a first electrode and a second outlet connected to a second electrode, allowing one pump to serve multiple electrodes with independent flow control through the splitter's internal geometry and adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the flow path within the single pump unit by creating distinct outlets and internal channels in the flow splitter. The first outlet and second outlet are spatially separated and can be independently adjusted, enabling one pump to deliver different flow rates to different electrodes without requiring multiple pump units.
2Device complexity
If a single pump unit is used to deliver irrigation fluid to multiple electrodes, then device complexity is reduced, but independent flow control capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The flow splitter incorporates adjustable elements that allow dynamic control of flow distribution. The splitter can be adjusted during operation to change the flow rate to each outlet, providing flexible flow control comparable to multiple pump units while maintaining a single pump structure.
3Reliability
If irrigation flow rate is increased to multiple electrodes, then cooling effect and lesion formation improve, but fluid load on patients increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables independent adjustment of flow rate parameters to each electrode through the flow splitter. This allows optimization of irrigation flow to match the specific cooling needs of each electrode, delivering sufficient fluid to maintain effective lesion formation while minimizing total fluid load on the patient by avoiding excessive irrigation to electrodes that do not require high flow rates.
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
Enables efficient and controlled irrigation to different electrodes during ablation, reducing the need for multiple pumps and minimizing fluid load on patients by varying flow rates based on electrode energization states, facilitating faster lesion formation with reduced catheter manipulation.
Implementation Method 1
The valve includes a plunger assembly having a plunger head, a spring member and a base
Implementation Method 2
the spring member to allow displacement of the plunger as a function of fluid pressure on the plunger
Implementation Method 3
the plunger can vary the flow rate or amount of fluid flowing through the second flow path
Data Source
AI summary
A catheter has at least two irrigated ablation electrodes and a coaxial irrigation tubing to transport fluid to the electrodes by separate and dedicated flow paths. A valve is used to control flow of fluid into the coaxial irrigation tubing by means of a plunger assembly that allows fluid to flow through one lumen of the coaxial irrigation tubing while regulating the flow into the other lumen of the coaxial irrigation tubing in response to the fluid flow rate and pressure applied to the plunger assembly.