Cooled Microwave Catheter for Bronchial Denervation Without Mucosal Injury
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing RF-based renal and pulmonary denervation procedures cause damage to the intima and media of arteries, leading to potential aneurism, rupture, and atherosclerosis, with no effective long-term data, and require multiple lesions that are difficult to position accurately, limiting retreatment options.
Innovation Solution
A cooled microwave catheter system that uses a microwave antenna within a balloon structure to deliver thermal energy circumferentially, protecting the intima and media of arteries while effectively denervating renal and pulmonary nerves, utilizing optimized antenna geometry and cooling to control temperature distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If RF energy is used to create focal ablation lesions in renal arteries, then denervation effectiveness is improved, but damage to the intima and media of the artery occurs leading to potential aneurism and rupture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a temperature gradient where the inner portion of the artery wall (adventitia containing nerves) is heated to ablation temperatures while the outer portions (intima and media) are cooled to protective temperatures. This spatial differentiation of thermal conditions allows selective nerve destruction without compromising artery wall integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces cooling fluid as an intermediary substance that mediates between the RF energy source and the artery wall. The cooling fluid absorbs excess heat and conducts it away from the intima and media, preventing thermal damage to these critical structural layers while allowing effective denervation of the adventitia.
2Reliability
If multiple discrete lesions are created in each renal artery to denervate nerves, then denervation coverage is improved, but procedure time increases and artery damage risk accumulates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple discrete ablation lesions into a single continuous circumferential ablation zone. By delivering RF energy along the entire length of the catheter shaft, the system creates one continuous denervated segment rather than requiring multiple separate lesions, thereby reducing procedure time and minimizing cumulative trauma to the artery wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuity of useful action by maintaining RF energy delivery along the entire active length of the catheter simultaneously. This continuous energy application creates uninterrupted circumferential denervation in a single treatment step, eliminating the need for sequential lesion creation and reducing overall procedure duration.
3Reliability
If multiple discrete lesions are created in renal arteries, then denervation coverage is improved, but manufacturing precision and positioning accuracy become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a catheter system that can create uniform circumferential ablation at any position along the renal artery. The multi-electrode array allows the same device to produce consistent denervation patterns regardless of placement location, eliminating the need for precise manual positioning of multiple separate lesions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of manually positioning and creating discrete lesions with an electromagnetic field-based approach. RF energy delivered through the catheter array creates uniform thermal ablation patterns without requiring precise mechanical alignment of multiple separate electrodes, thereby reducing positioning complexity and improving consistency.
4Reliability
If RF ablation lesions are created to denervate pulmonary nerves, then airway obstruction reduction is improved, but damage to bronchial tissue occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating distinct thermal zones within the bronchial wall: the inner zone (mucosa and submucosa containing nerves) is heated to ablation temperatures for effective denervation, while the outer zones (cartilage and smooth muscle) are cooled to protective temperatures, preserving structural integrity and preventing tissue damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces cooling fluid as an intermediary that protects bronchial tissue during RF ablation. The cooling fluid absorbs thermal energy and prevents heat penetration to the cartilage and smooth muscle layers, allowing effective nerve destruction in the inner bronchial wall while maintaining the structural framework of the airway.
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
Achieves complete denervation of renal and pulmonary nerves without damaging the artery wall, reducing procedure time, and allowing for potential retreatment, while minimizing risks of aneurism and atherosclerosis.
Implementation Method 1
A cooled microwave catheter system that uses a microwave antenna within a balloon structure to deliver thermal energy circumferentially
Implementation Method 2
microwave antenna within a balloon structure to deliver thermal energy
Implementation Method 3
protecting the intima and media of arteries while effectively denervating renal and pulmonary nerves, utilizing optimized antenna geometry and cooling to control temperature distribution
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method are disclosed for creating a lesion in tissue in a vicinity of a bronchus that contains nerve trunks, thereby thermally damaging the nerve trunks, while protecting the bronchus from injury. A catheter carrying a microwave antenna is positioned within the bronchus. Cooling fluid is circulated around the microwave antenna in thermal contact with the mucosa wall of the bronchus. Power is supplied to the microwave antenna to cause microwave energy to be emitted from the microwave antenna. The power supplied to the microwave antenna and the cooling fluid circulated around the microwave antenna are controlled to cause nerve trunks in the tissue in the vicinity of the bronchus to be heated to a temperature sufficient to cause thermal damage while the mucosa wall is maintained at a temperature where thermal damage does not occur.