Irrigated Catheter Micro-Elements for Tissue Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Irrigated ablation catheters face challenges in accurately sensing tissue thermal and electrical properties and measuring pressure without damaging the tissue, which is crucial for effective lesion assessment during cardiac ablation procedures.
Innovation Solution
The development of an irrigated ablation catheter equipped with micro-elements that provide direct tissue contact for accurate temperature, impedance, and pressure sensing, featuring micro-temperature sensors, micro-electrodes, and a pressure-sensing element to ensure precise measurements and minimize tissue damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the catheter uses a large electrode surface for ablation, then the ablation effectiveness is improved, but the temperature sensing accuracy deteriorates due to cooling irrigation fluid bias
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter divides the sensing function into separate micro-elements (micro-temperature sensors, micro-electrodes, pressure-sensing elements) that are distinct from the main ablation electrode. This segmentation allows the ablation electrode to maintain its large surface area for effective ablation while the micro-elements provide accurate localized measurements without being influenced by the cooling irrigation fluid that affects the larger electrode surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The micro-elements act as intermediaries between the ablation electrode and the tissue. These micro-sensors are positioned to make direct contact with the tissue at the ablation site, providing temperature and impedance measurements that reflect the actual tissue conditions rather than the cooled electrode surface temperature, thus mediating accurate measurement despite the presence of cooling irrigation.
2Measurement precision
If the catheter applies excessive pressure to ensure good tissue contact, then the measurement accuracy is improved, but tissue damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter incorporates pressure-sensing elements that provide real-time feedback on the contact pressure between the catheter and tissue. This feedback mechanism allows the operator to monitor and adjust the applied pressure to maintain optimal tissue contact for accurate measurements while preventing excessive pressure that could cause tissue damage or perforation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces reliance on mechanical pressure application with sensor-based detection. Instead of using a rigid structure that mechanically forces contact, the catheter uses flexible micro-elements with integrated sensors that detect tissue contact through electrical or mechanical sensing, substituting mechanical force with sensitive detection mechanisms that require minimal contact pressure.
3Measurement precision
If the catheter uses micro-elements for direct tissue contact, then the sensing accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter merges multiple sensing functions (temperature sensing, impedance measurement, pressure detection) into a single integrated distal tip structure. The micro-elements are combined within a unified electrode assembly that includes a common irrigation system and housing, reducing overall device complexity compared to using separate catheters for each measurement function.
Solution Approach 2:
The micro-elements are designed with multi-functionality to reduce complexity. For example, the micro-electrode serves both as an ablation element and as a sensing element for impedance measurement and ECG recording. The temperature sensors are integrated into the same structure that delivers irrigation fluid, combining thermal sensing and fluid delivery functions in a single component rather than requiring separate systems.
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 catheter enables more accurate and reliable sensing of tissue properties, allowing for better lesion assessment and preventing tissue damage during ablation procedures, thereby improving the effectiveness of cardiac ablation treatments.
Implementation Method 1
micro-temperature sensors... that provide accurate sensing of tissue, including thermal and electrical properties for temperature, impedance and ECG measurements
Implementation Method 2
micro-electrodes... that provide accurate sensing of tissue, including thermal and electrical properties for temperature, impedance and ECG measurements
Implementation Method 3
pressure-sensing elements that provide an indication of the pressure exerted by the catheter on the tissue at the ablation element
Data Source
AI summary
An irrigated ablation catheter adapted for direct tissue contact has micro-elements that provide more accurate sensing of tissue, including thermal and electrical properties for temperature and impedance and intracardiac ECG measurements. A pressure sensing assembly adds the ability to measure the force at the tip of the catheter as well as to have the micro-elements for accurately sensing tissue parameters. A system uses signals from the micro-elements (impedance, temperature, and ECG signals) as well as the measure of force or pressure at the tip electrode order to provide the operator with a means to control lesion depth, size, transmurality and to ablate tissue until successful treatment of an arrhythmia is achieved.