Electroplated Serpentine Heating Elements for Flexible Vein Ablation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for improved medical devices and methods to provide focused, controlled thermal energy for treating chronic venous conditions like varicose veins while minimizing the impact on surrounding healthy tissue.
Innovation Solution
A catheter with an elongated shaft and an ablation element featuring a tubular polymeric member and a heating element with a serpentine-shaped electrically conductive trace, comprising parallel and arcuate segments, is used to deliver thermal energy. The heating element can be made of materials like Ni-Cr alloy or carbon film, electroplated or sprayed onto the tubular member, enhancing flexibility and minimizing harm to vessel walls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a heating element is applied to treat varicose veins, then thermal energy is delivered to constrict or occlude the target veins, but surrounding healthy tissue may be damaged by thermal effects
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is designed with non-uniform electrical resistance distribution, creating zones of different heating intensity. The serpentine trace pattern with varying segment spacing ensures concentrated thermal energy delivery at the target vein location while reducing heat diffusion to surrounding healthy tissue, thus achieving localized treatment with minimized collateral damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element is divided into multiple parallel segments arranged in a serpentine pattern. This segmentation allows independent control of heating zones and enables focused thermal delivery to specific portions of the target vein, improving precision while limiting thermal spread to adjacent healthy structures.
2Power
If a rigid heating element structure is used, then thermal energy delivery is efficient, but flexibility of the catheter is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element utilizes a thin serpentine trace pattern fabricated on or integrated with the catheter shaft. This thin-film construction provides the necessary flexibility for catheter navigation through tortuous vasculature while maintaining sufficient structural integrity to deliver thermal energy effectively when energized.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element employs a serpentine (sinuous) trace pattern rather than a straight configuration. This curved geometry inherently provides flexibility and conformability to the catheter shaft, allowing the rigid heating structure to bend and flex with the catheter while still maintaining effective thermal delivery capability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a continuous heating element trace is used, then thermal energy delivery is uniform, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is constructed as a series of discrete parallel segments rather than a continuous trace. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing by allowing modular fabrication and assembly of the heating pattern, while the controlled spacing between segments ensures uniform thermal energy distribution across the treatment zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element design allows adjustment of segment spacing and configuration to optimize both manufacturing ease and thermal delivery uniformity. The serpentine pattern with adjustable geometric parameters enables flexible design optimization for different manufacturing processes while maintaining stable and uniform thermal composition during operation.
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 catheter provides efficient thermal treatment for varicose veins by maintaining flexibility, reducing potential harm to vessel walls, and optimizing energy conversion to thermal energy, thus improving treatment efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element disposed on the tubular polymeric member, the heating element comprising an electrically conductive trace
Implementation Method 2
the Ni—Cr alloy is electroplated or spayed onto the tubular polymeric member
Implementation Method 3
the carbon film is electroplated or sprayed onto the tubular polymeric member
Data Source
AI summary
At least some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a catheter for use in varicose vein treatment including a handle, an elongated shaft connected to the handle, and a heating element disposed near the distal end of the shaft. In some embodiments, the heating element includes an electrically conductive trace defining a plurality of parallel segments arranged along a length of the tubular polymeric member, and an arcuate segment disposed between and connecting the parallel segments.