Electrode Balloon Catheter Layout for Narrow-Vessel Shock Wave Delivery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrode balloon catheters face issues such as increased outer diameter, difficulty in passing through stenotic segments, potential breakage, balloon burst, and safety hazards due to lack of hydraulic pressure feedback, leading to complications like ventricular capture.
Innovation Solution
The electrode balloon catheter features a flexible circuit layer and electrode arrangement within a balloon, connected to a high-voltage generation processing device, with sensors for pressure and temperature monitoring, ensuring safe and controlled shock wave generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrode leads are wound on the catheter, then the electrode arrangement can be provided, but the outer diameter increases and passage performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode leads are extracted from the traditional wound configuration on the catheter surface and repositioned to be disposed within the balloon structure. This separation allows the catheter body to maintain a smaller outer diameter while the electrodes remain functional within the expanded balloon volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode leads are nested within the balloon structure rather than being external to it. The electrodes are positioned inside the balloon volume, utilizing the three-dimensional space efficiently, which reduces the overall catheter profile while maintaining electrode functionality.
2Reliability
If electrodes are arranged in multiple layers, then the electrode coverage is improved, but the catheter outer diameter increases and passage performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of arranging electrodes in multiple concentric layers radially outward from the catheter, the electrodes are arranged in a three-dimensional configuration within the expanded balloon volume. This utilizes the volumetric space of the balloon rather than increasing radial thickness, maintaining small catheter profile while achieving comprehensive electrode coverage.
3Productivity
If high-voltage pulses are applied without hydraulic pressure feedback, then the shock wave treatment can be delivered, but balloon burst may occur causing safety accidents
Solution Approach 1:
A hydraulic pressure feedback system is integrated into the catheter, with a pressure sensor positioned within the balloon to monitor internal pressure in real-time. This feedback is transmitted to an external control system that can adjust or terminate high-voltage pulse delivery when pressure thresholds are approached, preventing balloon rupture while maintaining treatment efficacy.
4Loss of time
If the balloon remains expanded for a long period, then the treatment can be performed, but the blood vessel is occluded causing ventricular capture or shock
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon inflation and deflation are performed in periodic cycles rather than maintaining continuous expansion. The treatment protocol involves alternating between expanded and collapsed states, allowing periodic restoration of blood flow while delivering shock wave treatments during the expanded phases, thereby reducing the risk of ventricular capture.
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 design allows for safer and more effective passage through narrow vessels, reducing component breakage and minimizing surgical risks by controlling inflation pressure and temperature, enhancing therapeutic efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
electrohydraulic lithotripsy is a technique in which a liquid is rapidly vaporized in a strong electric field created by a high voltage into steam bubbles which expand outwards and, when bursting, will produce powerful shock waves
Implementation Method 2
high-voltage pulses are applied to the electrode arrangement, generating shock waves
Data Source
AI summary
An electrode balloon catheter and a high-voltage generation processing device are provided. The electrode balloon catheter includes a balloon, an inner catheter and a shock wave generation component. The balloon is disposed over the inner catheter and radially expands or collapses as a result of filling an inflation fluid therein or evacuating the inflation fluid therefrom. The shock wave generation component includes a flexible circuit layer and an electrode arrangement. The flexible circuit layer is disposed on the inner catheter, and the electrode arrangement is provided on the inner catheter to be located within the balloon. The electrode arrangement is connected to the flexible circuit layer and connected to a high-voltage generation processing device via the flexible circuit layer. The flexible circuit layer enables the electrode balloon catheter to have a reduced passage size closer to the size of a pre-dilation balloon.