Cryoablation Catheter Real-Time Quality Indicators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cryoablation procedures lack effective methods for determining and displaying ablation quality information in real-time, which can impact the success and efficiency of cardiac arrhythmia treatments like atrial fibrillation.
Innovation Solution
A cryogenic balloon catheter system equipped with sensors and a controller that calculates and displays ablation quality indicators based on sensed parameters such as temperature and cardiac electrical signals, providing visual feedback on the efficacy of the ablation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If real-time ablation quality monitoring is implemented, then ablation precision and effectiveness are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter system integrates multiple functions into a single device: temperature sensing, electrical signal sensing, ablation delivery, and real-time quality assessment. The controller processes multiple sensor inputs and generates comprehensive ablation quality indicators, making the system multi-functional rather than requiring separate devices for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements real-time feedback by continuously monitoring ablation parameters through sensors and displaying ablation quality indicators during the procedure. This allows operators to assess ablation effectiveness in real-time and adjust parameters accordingly, transforming a previously open-loop process into a closed-loop controlled system.
2Loss of information
If multiple sensors and real-time processing are added, then information completeness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves multiple functions: receiving sensor inputs, processing signals, calculating ablation metrics, comparing against target values, and generating visual indicators. This consolidation of multiple functions into a single processing unit reduces the need for separate dedicated devices for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-assessment by automatically comparing measured ablation parameters against pre-established target values and generating quality indicators without requiring external manual analysis. The device serves itself by providing automated quality assessment capabilities.
3Loss of information
If visual ablation quality indicators are displayed, then operator awareness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses color-coded visual indicators to represent different ablation quality states. The graphical display presents ablation quality indicators in a visually intuitive format, allowing operators to quickly assess ablation effectiveness without complex data interpretation. This transforms raw sensor data into easily interpretable visual information.
Solution Approach 2:
The graphical display acts as an intermediary between the complex sensor data and the operator. Rather than presenting raw numerical data from multiple sensors, the system translates this information into visual ablation quality indicators that are easier to interpret and act upon.
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
Enhances the precision and effectiveness of cryoablation procedures by offering real-time feedback on ablation metrics, allowing for better assessment of tissue necrosis and conduction block achievement.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of sensors each are configured to sense an ablation parameter during an ablation phase of the ablation procedure
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of sensors each are configured to sense an ablation parameter during an ablation phase of the ablation procedure
Implementation Method 3
The fluid source is operatively coupled to the expandable balloon and is configured to deliver a cryogenic fluid to the expandable balloon. The cryogenic fluid causes necrosis of the targeted tissue
Data Source
AI summary
A cryogenic balloon catheter system for use in an ablation procedure, the cryogenic balloon catheter system comprising a balloon catheter including a shaft, an expandable balloon attached to a distal portion of the shaft, a plurality of sensors each configured to sense an ablation parameter during an ablation phase of the ablation procedure and to generate a sensor output based on the sensed ablation parameter a fluid source operatively coupled to the expandable balloon and configured to deliver a cryogenic fluid to the expandable balloon, a controller configured to receive the sensor output and calculate a plurality of ablation metrics and to generate a plurality of ablation quality indicator outputs, and a graphical display operatively coupled to the controller and configured to display a plurality of graphical ablation quality indicators each based on a respective one of the ablation quality indicator outputs.