Cryogenic Probe Malleable End Effector Staggered Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating cardiac arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, are inadequate in effectively creating lines of ablation on cardiac tissue to block errant electrical signals.
Innovation Solution
A cryogenic probe with a malleable end effector and coiled spring support, featuring staggered cryogenic fluid supply tubes for uniform cooling, is designed to create lines of ablation on cardiac tissue, allowing for compact storage and temperature monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the end effector is made malleable for conformability to cardiac tissue, then the adaptability improves, but the structural strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The end effector is constructed as a malleable structure that can be deformed and bent to conform to the irregular surfaces of cardiac tissue. This flexible design allows the ablation probe to adapt to the anatomical geometry of the heart, ensuring uniform contact and consistent ablation depth across curved tissue surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The end effector incorporates multiple segmented cryogenic fluid supply tubes with staggered orifices along its length. This segmentation allows different sections of the end effector to be independently controlled and positioned, enabling the malleable structure to conform to complex tissue geometries while maintaining structural integrity through modular construction.
2Temperature
If multiple cryogenic fluid supply tubes are used for uniform cooling, then the temperature uniformity improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into multiple separate cryogenic fluid supply tubes, each with its own array of staggered orifices positioned at different locations along the end effector. This segmentation enables independent control of cooling zones, allowing uniform temperature distribution across the entire ablation surface by distributing cryogenic fluid through multiple pathways rather than a single complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
Each cryogenic fluid supply tube provides localized cooling to specific regions of the end effector through staggered orifices. The staggered arrangement ensures that cooling is distributed uniformly across the surface area, with each local zone receiving adequate cryogenic fluid flow to maintain consistent temperatures during ablation.
3Volume of moving object
If the probe is made retractable for compact storage, then the storage volume decreases, but the reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The probe incorporates a retractable mechanism that allows the end effector to move between an extended operational position and a retracted storage position. This dynamic design enables compact storage when the probe is not in use, reducing the overall volume required for storage and transport while maintaining full functionality during the ablation procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractable mechanism is designed with protective features that cushion and protect the delicate end effector during retraction and storage. This prevents damage to the malleable structure and cryogenic fluid supply tubes when the probe is stored in its compact configuration, thereby maintaining reliability despite the added mechanical complexity.
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 cryogenic probe effectively freezes cardiac tissue, inducing cryonecrosis to block electrical pulses, providing a precise and efficient treatment for cardiac arrhythmias.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of cryogenic fluid supply tubes is disposed on the interior of the probe tube for introducing cryogenic fluid. Each of the supply tubes has an outlet orifice for expansion of the cryogenic fluid
Implementation Method 2
The cryogenic probe effectively freezes cardiac tissue, inducing cryonecrosis to block electrical pulses
Implementation Method 3
The interior surface of the end effector includes additional support which, in an exemplary embodiment, is in the form of a coiled spring
Implementation Method 4
the probe may be provided with a thermocouple mounted on the exterior thereof for providing the user with a temperature reading for the tissue contacting portion of the end effector
Data Source
AI summary
A cryogenic probe for ablating cardiac tissue is provided comprising a handle piece and an elongated probe tube extending from the handle that terminates in a malleable end effector closed at its distal end and having a smooth outer surface. A semi-rigid insulative sleeve extends from the handle and overlies the proximal portion of the probe tube. An internal support preferably in the form of a coiled spring is located interior of the probe tube for supporting the interior surface of the probe tube. A plurality of cryogenic fluid supply tubes are disposed on the interior of the probe tube for introducing cryogenic fluid to the probe tube, each supply tube having an outlet orifice, with the outlet orifices being staggered along the length of the probe tube. In one embodiment, the probe tube is axially movable relative to the sleeve/handle between retracted and extended positions. Also, the probe tube may be provided with a thermocouple for measuring the temperature of the surface of the probe tube.