Cryoablation Probe Sheath for Rapid Tissue Thawing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cryoablation procedures for treating heart arrhythmias face inefficiencies due to prolonged thawing times of cryoablation probes, which increase procedure duration and patient risk.

Innovation Solution

A cryoablation probe assembly with a sheath that uses heated fluid, such as saline, to accelerate the thawing and detachment of the probe from cardiac tissue, including an optional electrical heating element to address frost buildup and improve sliding functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cryoablation probe is used to freeze cardiac tissue, then transmural lesion is created to treat arrhythmia, but probe remains frozen to tissue requiring prolonged thawing time for detachment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelesion formationVSAvoidthawing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sheath is pre-positioned around the cryoablation probe before freezing begins. The sheath contains channels that are pre-configured to receive and channel warm fluid directly to the probe-tissue interface, enabling immediate thawing action upon activation without delay.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A sheath acts as an intermediary structure between the cryoablation probe and the surrounding tissue. This sheath with integrated fluid channels serves as a dedicated pathway for warm fluid delivery, mediating the thawing process and enabling controlled detachment without direct probe-tissue adhesion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If multiple cryo-based lesions are completed per procedure, then treatment efficiency increases, but overall procedure time increases due to repeated thawing cycles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelesions per procedureVSAvoidoverall procedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sheath remains positioned around the probe throughout the entire procedure, maintaining the thawing capability as a continuous ready-state function. Warm fluid can be continuously or repeatedly delivered through the same sheath channels for multiple thawing cycles without repositioning, enabling rapid succession of lesions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The sheath structure serves multiple functions: it acts as a protective covering during freezing, a fluid delivery conduit for thawing, and a reusable component for multiple procedural cycles. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate thawing devices or procedures, reducing overall time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If probe is firmly attached to tissue for stable positioning, then accurate lesion delivery is achieved, but detachment becomes difficult requiring extended warming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning stabilityVSAvoidprobe detachment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sheath is pre-positioned around the probe before freezing begins. The sheath contains channels that are pre-configured to receive and channel warm fluid directly to the probe-tissue interface, enabling immediate thawing action upon activation without delay.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 approach significantly reduces procedure time, enhances operational efficiency, and minimizes patient risk by enabling quicker lesion formation and probe detachment, while addressing frost-related issues with heating elements.

Implementation Method 1

directing fluid through the plurality of channels and through the distal face to the first end of the bellows section to release the first end of the bellows section from the cardiac tissue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

directing fluid through the plurality of channels and through the distal face to the first end of the bellows section

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

freezing cardiac tissue at the first location to create a first transmural lesion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFreezing: Freezing

Data Source

PatentUS20230355290A1Cryoablation probe assembly having fluid sheath and methods

Publication Date: 2023.11.09 MEDTRONIC INC

AI summary

The disclosure relates to cryoablation probe assemblies including a cryoablation probe and sheath configured to accelerate thawing of the probe from frozen, treated tissue. The sheath can include a plurality of channels configured to direct saline or other biocompatible fluid to the treated tissue. The sheath is configured to slide and advance distally over the cryoablation probe to continually thaw the tissue until the cryoablation probe is freed. Methods of treating atrial fibrillation with a cryoablation probe assembly are also disclosed.