Conductive Cardiac Puncture Member With Insulative Liner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices face challenges in puncturing heart tissues without causing tissue coring and minimizing current leakage in liquid environments, which can lead to embolization and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A device with a mechanical needle and a conductive member that allows for selective delivery of electrical current, minimizing contact between the needle's hollow lumen and tissue, and incorporating an insulative layer to control current dispersion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical current is transmitted through a mechanical needle to vaporize tissue, then the tissue is heated and puncture hole is created, but the hollow mechanical needle creates a core of tissue that may be released into the bloodstream causing embolization
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the electrical current delivery function from the hollow needle structure. A solid conductive member delivers current to vaporize tissue, while the hollow needle is positioned nearby but does not contact the tissue, eliminating tissue coring while maintaining the ability to deliver current for puncture creation.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive member acts as an intermediary between the electrical generator and the tissue. It delivers electrical current to vaporize tissue and create a puncture hole without requiring the hollow needle to contact the tissue, thus preventing tissue coring while achieving the same puncture creation function.
2Reliability
If a conductive member delivers electrical current in a liquid environment, then current is dispersed from all conductive surfaces, but current leakage into the second medium (blood) must be minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive member has different properties at different locations: the distal end portion is electrically conductive to deliver current to the tissue, while the proximal end portion is electrically insulative to prevent current leakage into the blood. This localized differentiation of electrical properties controls current delivery precisely where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the entire conductive member conductive and using external insulation, the invention inverts the approach by making the proximal portion insulative and only the distal tip conductive. This ensures current is delivered only at the intended location and prevents leakage along the conductive member into the blood.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a hollow mechanical needle is used for puncture, then fluid injections and device insertions are facilitated, but the needle must be in contact with tissue to deliver mechanical force for piercing
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the functions of tissue contact and fluid/device delivery. The solid conductive member contacts and vaporizes tissue to create the puncture, while the hollow needle is positioned nearby to deliver fluid or devices without contacting the tissue, thus enabling both puncture creation and fluid injection without tissue coring.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive member serves as an intermediary that creates the puncture hole through vaporization, allowing the hollow needle to then pass through or deliver devices without having performed the tissue-cutting action itself, eliminating the coring hazard while maintaining versatility.
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
Reduces tissue coring and current leakage, enhancing safety and efficacy in puncturing heart tissues while maintaining the functionality of the hollow lumen for fluid injections and device insertions.
Implementation Method 1
By transmitting sufficient electrical current though the mechanical needle, the desired tissue to be punctured is heated and vaporized
Implementation Method 2
an insulative layer along a portion of the conductive member, and wherein the insulative layer minimizes electric current leakage
Data Source
AI summary
A device for puncturing a tissue within a heart is disclosed. The device includes a mechanical needle having an elongated body, a proximal end and an opposite distal end portion terminating in a distal tip, the needle defining a hollow delivery lumen extending through the elongate body and dimensioned to slidingly receive and allow longitudinal translation of at least one or more wires. The device further includes a conductive member longitudinally extending from the hollow delivery lumen of the needle, the conductive member having a proximal end and an opposite distal end portion that is electrically conductive and terminates at a functional tip. When the conductive member perforates the tissue, the needle is proximate the conductive member and the needle is not in contact with the tissue.