Bronchoscopic Catheter with Selective RF Energization and Thermal Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices with electrosurgical capabilities face challenges in safely navigating narrow body passageways and performing procedures without damaging the delivery device due to energization issues and thermal management during electrosurgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A catheter system with an electrosurgical device that includes an electrical adapter to selectively energize the device only when it exits the outer catheter, featuring a thermally isolated cutting tip and articulable design for navigation through tortuous pathways, compatible with flexible or rigid bronchoscopes for tissue coring and aspiration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the electrosurgical device is made energized to perform cutting and coagulation procedures, then the therapeutic functionality is improved, but the delivery device can be damaged due to thermal effects
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional segments: the electrosurgical tip for energy delivery and the delivery catheter for navigation. This segmentation allows the tip to be optimized for high-power electrosurgical performance while the delivery catheter is protected from thermal damage through physical separation and thermal isolation design.
Solution Approach 2:
Thermal isolation barriers and protective structures are incorporated into the device design before the procedure begins. These pre-built protective measures ensure that when electrosurgical energy is delivered, the heat is contained at the tip and cannot transfer to the delivery catheter, preventing thermal damage in advance.
2Productivity
If the electrosurgical device is energized during navigation through the delivery catheter, then the procedure can begin immediately, but the delivery device will be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery catheter is prepared and navigated to the target location first, with the electrosurgical tip positioned but not yet energized. All navigation and positioning actions are completed while the device remains unenergized, ensuring delivery catheter integrity. Only after proper positioning is confirmed does energization begin, maintaining both reliability and procedural efficiency.
3Power
If the inner diameter of the elongated medical device is increased to deliver sufficient electrical current for RF power, then the electrosurgical performance is improved, but the aspiration capability for cored tissue, smoke, blood, and fluid is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The internal lumen is segmented into separate channels: one or more lumens dedicated to electrical current delivery for RF power, and separate aspiration lumens for removing cored tissue, smoke, blood, and fluid. This segmentation allows each function to be optimized independently - sufficient current delivery capacity in the power lumen while maintaining effective aspiration pathways through dedicated aspiration lumens.
4Length of moving object
If the electrosurgical device is made smaller to navigate narrow body passageways, then the accessibility to remote locations is improved, but the ability to deliver sufficient electrical current for RF power is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The electrosurgical tip incorporates composite material construction with high electrical conductivity materials optimized for RF current delivery within a compact form factor. This allows sufficient electrical current to be delivered through a smaller, more navigable device structure that can access remote body locations while maintaining the necessary power delivery capability.
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 safe and effective electrosurgical procedures by preventing device damage during navigation and ensuring thermal protection, allowing for precise tissue removal and aspiration without self-destruction of the catheter.
Implementation Method 1
The electrical terminal and the electrical connector are configured to be electrically connected to each other when the electrical connector is advanced to an electrical contact position within the channel
Implementation Method 2
it is necessary to ensure that the heat generated in the immediate vicinity of the cutting tip be sufficiently isolated from the rest of the elongated medical device so that the elongated medical device does not deteriorate or self-destruct under the resulting thermal conditions
Implementation Method 3
Higher frequency electrical energy, and in particular electrical energy in the radiofrequency (RF) range, may not stimulate muscle or nerves, and therefore may be better suited to core and coagulate tissue
Data Source
AI summary
A catheter system can include an electrical adapter and a catheter. The electrical adapter includes a hollow adapter body having a longitudinally extending channel and an electrical terminal positioned within the channel. The electrical adapter can be configured to connect to an energy source. The catheter can include an elongated body having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, and an electrical connector coupled to the proximal end portion. The electrical connector forms the outer periphery of the catheter along a portion of the longitudinal length of the catheter. The electrical terminal and the electrical connector contact each other when the electrical connector is advanced through the channel to an electrical contact position in the channel, and are isolated from each other when the electrical connector is proximal of the electrical contact position.