Catheter Metal Wire Insulation for Heat Prevention

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional balloon-tip ablation catheters with electrophysiological examination functions are at risk of causing thrombosis, excessive cauterization, and tissue perforation due to abnormal heat generation at electric potential-measuring electrodes when high-frequency current is distributed, and require separate insertion of a catheter for electric potential measurement, leading to prolonged procedure times and increased burden on patients and physicians.

Innovation Solution

A catheter design featuring a shaft with electric potential-measuring electrodes and a distal metal portion of 2 mm or more, connected by a metal wire, which is inserted through a lumen of a balloon-tip ablation catheter, preventing abnormal heat generation by electrically insulating the metal wire and ensuring the distal metal portion is longer than the electrodes to reduce high-frequency current concentration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a balloon-tip ablation catheter with electrophysiological examination function is used, then the examination function is integrated, but abnormal heat generation occurs at electric potential-measuring electrodes due to high-frequency current distribution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration of electrophysiological examination functionVSAvoidabnormal heat generation at electric potential-measuring electrodes

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by giving different electrical conductivity characteristics to different parts of the catheter. The electric potential-measuring electrodes are made with high electrical conductivity to accurately measure electric potentials, while the distal metal portion is designed with low electrical conductivity to prevent high-frequency current distribution and abnormal heat generation. This localized differentiation of electrical properties allows the catheter to simultaneously achieve accurate electrophysiological measurement and safety during high-frequency ablation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If a separate catheter for measuring electric potential is used, then patient safety is ensured, but procedure time is prolonged due to separate insertion and removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient safetyVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two previously separate functions into a single integrated catheter: the balloon-tip ablation function and the electrophysiological examination function. By combining these functions in one device, the catheter can be inserted once and used for both high-frequency ablation and electric potential measurement, eliminating the need for separate insertion and removal of additional catheters, thereby reducing procedure time while maintaining patient safety through the low-conductivity distal metal portion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Temperature

If high-frequency current is distributed between return electrode and high-frequency current distributing electrode, then balloon heating is achieved, but high-frequency current also distributes to electric potential-measuring electrodes causing excessive cauterization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveballoon heating temperatureVSAvoidexcessive cauterization from electric potential-measuring electrodes

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by giving different electrical conductivity characteristics to different parts of the catheter. The electric potential-measuring electrodes are made with high electrical conductivity to accurately measure electric potentials, while the distal metal portion is designed with low electrical conductivity to prevent high-frequency current distribution and abnormal heat generation. This localized differentiation of electrical properties allows the catheter to simultaneously achieve accurate electrophysiological measurement and safety during high-frequency ablation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Prevents abnormal heat generation at electric potential-measuring electrodes and reduces the risk of excessive cauterization, allowing simultaneous insertion with a balloon-tip ablation catheter, thereby reducing procedural burden and improving safety for both patients and physicians.

Implementation Method 1

a metal wire inserted through the lumen and connected to the metal portion... preventing abnormal heat generation at electric potential-measuring electrodes even when high-frequency current is distributed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Resistance: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentEP2581058B1Catheter for measuring electric potential

Publication Date: 2016.03.23 TORAY INDUSTRIES INC

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AI summary

An object of the present invention is to provide a highly safe catheter for measuring electric potential that can be inserted into a cardiac chamber together with a balloon-tip ablation catheter and is able to prevent abnormal heat generation at electric potential-measuring electrodes even when high-frequency current is distributed. The present invention provides an catheter for measuring electric potential, comprising: a shaft having electric potential-measuring electrodes, a metal portion with a length of 2 mm or more, and a lumen passing therethrough from a proximal end to a distal end in the longitudinal direction; and a metal wire inserted through the lumen and connected to the metal portion.