Cryogenic Anchoring for Linear Ablation Catheters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radio frequency catheters face challenges in stably positioning and maintaining contact with the irregular and slippery inner walls of the heart, particularly during the creation of linear ablation lesions, which limits the effectiveness and precision of cardiac ablation procedures.
Innovation Solution
A catheter system with a cryogenic anchoring member, such as a wire loop, that forms an ice ball for stable positioning and anchors a linear ablating section, allowing for adjustable anchoring and secure contact along the tissue surface, enabling the creation of unbroken linear ablation lesions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid linear catheter is used for ablation, then the ablation line can be created, but the catheter cannot stably position on the irregular and slippery heart wall
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into two functional segments: a flexible distal portion for conforming to the irregular heart wall geometry and a rigid proximal portion for maintaining structural integrity during ablation. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its function independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter incorporates dynamic elements including a balloon anchor that can be inflated to press against the heart wall for stable positioning, and a wire loop that can be adjusted to secure the catheter in place. These dynamic features enable the catheter to adapt to the slippery and irregular surface while maintaining contact.
2Ease of operation
If the catheter is made flexible to conform to the heart wall, then contact can be maintained, but the catheter cannot maintain sufficient contact force for effective ablation
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into two functional segments: a flexible distal portion for conforming to the irregular heart wall geometry and a rigid proximal portion for maintaining structural integrity during ablation. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its function independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter incorporates dynamic elements including a balloon anchor that can be inflated to press against the heart wall for stable positioning, and a wire loop that can be adjusted to secure the catheter in place. These dynamic features enable the catheter to adapt to the slippery and irregular surface while maintaining contact.
3Reliability
If multiple spot lesions are created along a predetermined line, then therapeutic effectiveness is improved, but the procedure requires multiple separate ablation steps
Solution Approach 1:
The linear catheter enables continuous ablation along a predetermined line in a single procedure, eliminating the need for multiple separate spot lesion creation steps. The catheter can be dragged along the heart wall to create an unbroken linear ablation line, maintaining continuous useful action throughout the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter system allows preliminary mapping and planning of the ablation path, followed by execution of the entire linear ablation in one continuous action, rather than requiring multiple discrete steps for creating individual spot lesions along the same path.
4Reliability
If an inflatable balloon is used to anchor the catheter, then stable positioning is achieved, but the catheter can only be anchored at specific positions where veins exist
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter system incorporates multiple anchoring mechanisms (balloon anchor, wire loop, and ice ball formation) that can be used independently or in combination, allowing the catheter to be secured at various positions along the heart wall regardless of vein location. This multi-functionality provides universal anchoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire loop acts as an intermediary anchoring mechanism that can be positioned and adjusted independently of the balloon anchor, providing an additional anchoring point that is not constrained by vein location. This intermediary element enhances positioning freedom.
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
The system ensures stable and precise linear ablation lesions on the heart tissue, improving the effectiveness of cardiac ablation procedures by maintaining contact and allowing for greater freedom in positioning, reducing tissue damage, and enhancing the creation of therapeutic scar tissue for arrhythmia correction.
Implementation Method 1
a cryogenic catheter capable of being stably positioned with respect to tissue via the formation of an ice ball
Implementation Method 2
a linear ablating section for creating said linear ablation
Data Source
AI summary
A catheter is provided with an anchoring member for anchoring a part of a linear ablating head of the catheter to a structure. The structure can be a cryogenically anchored point catheter. This allows the surgeon to position the linear catheter more exactly in the heart chamber and overcomes the adverse effects of the slippery and irregular heart chamber walls.