Catheter With Multiple Irrigation Lumens For Independent Fluid Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current catheters for myocardial ablation require multiple pump units for irrigation, leading to increased fluid load on patients and inefficiencies in focal and linear ablation procedures, as they lack independent control over fluid flow to multiple electrodes during RF ablation.
Innovation Solution
A catheter with multiple irrigation tubings providing separate and isolated flow paths for each electrode, allowing for variable fluid flow rates based on the energization state of the electrodes, and an integrated ablation system with multiple pump heads to control these flow rates independently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple pump units are used to supply irrigation fluid to multiple electrodes, then each electrode can receive fluid independently, but the fluid load on the patient increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into multiple independent irrigation lumens, each dedicated to a specific electrode or set of electrodes. This segmentation allows independent control of fluid flow to each electrode while using a single integrated pump system, thereby achieving ease of operation without increasing overall fluid load.
Solution Approach 2:
Irrigation fluid is delivered selectively to specific electrodes based on their energization state and ablation needs. Active electrodes receiving RF power get higher flow rates for cooling, while inactive electrodes receive minimal or no flow, optimizing local fluid delivery according to specific operational requirements.
2Device complexity
If a single irrigation lumen is used to deliver fluid to multiple electrodes, then the system is simpler, but fluid flow control to individual electrodes is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The irrigation system is segmented into multiple separate lumens within the catheter body, with each lumen dedicated to specific electrodes. This segmentation enables precise independent control of fluid flow to each electrode while maintaining a relatively simple overall catheter structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple irrigation lumens are designed to work with a single integrated pump unit that can selectively activate different lumens based on which electrodes are active. This multi-functional design allows one pump system to serve multiple electrodes independently, balancing complexity and control precision.
3Reliability
If irrigation fluid is delivered to all electrodes continuously, then all electrodes are flushed, but fluid load on the patient increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
Irrigation fluid is delivered periodically or selectively to electrodes based on their energization state rather than continuously to all electrodes. Active electrodes receive fluid during RF delivery to prevent char formation, while inactive electrodes receive minimal flow, reducing overall fluid load while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Fluid delivery is localized to specific electrodes that require it at any given moment. The system adjusts irrigation flow locally at each electrode based on its operational state, ensuring reliable aperture flushing where needed while minimizing unnecessary fluid delivery to inactive electrodes.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the catheter is repositioned repeatedly to form linear ablation lesions, then focal ablation can be performed, but procedure time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is designed with multiple electrodes (tip and ring electrodes) that can perform both focal ablation and linear ablation functions. By energizing different electrode combinations, the same catheter can create focal lesions or continuous linear lesions without repositioning, achieving versatility while reducing procedure time.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter enables continuous linear ablation by delivering RF energy along a line through multiple electrodes simultaneously or in sequence without requiring repositioning. This continuous action forms linear lesions in one step, eliminating the time-consuming repetitive repositioning required for traditional focal ablation approaches.
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 solution reduces fluid load on patients, enhances the uniformity of fluid delivery, and allows for faster lesion formation without repositioning the catheter, improving clinical efficacy and reducing procedure time by enabling precise control over fluid flow during both focal and linear ablations.
Implementation Method 1
The tubings provide a generally parallel flow paths through the catheter where irrigation fluid is delivered to irrigation ablation electrodes via pathways that are separate and isolated from each other so that fluid can be delivered at different flow rates to different electrodes
Implementation Method 2
In radio-frequency (RF) ablation, for example a catheter is inserted into the heart and brought into contact with tissue at a target location. RF energy is then applied through electrodes on the catheter in order to create a lesion
Implementation Method 3
Also known are irrigated ablation tip and ring electrodes which are effective at reducing electrode temperature during ablation to minimize the formation of char and coagulum
Data Source
AI summary
A catheter adapted for ablation has multiple dedicated irrigation tubings to supply fluid to their respective electrode or set of electrodes. The tubings provide parallel flow pathways through the catheter where irrigation fluid is delivered to irrigated tip and/or ring electrodes which can accomplish uni-polar or bi-polar ablation. Such separate and dedicated fluid pathways allow fluid to be delivered to the corresponding electrode or set of electrodes at different flow rates. An integrated ablation system using such catheter has an ablation energy source and an irrigation pump with multiple pump heads that can operate independently of each other. An integrated irrigation tubing set is included to extend between the fluid source and the catheter, with each pump head being able to act on a different tubing that delivers fluid to a different electrode or set of electrodes.