Epicardial Cardiac Mapping Device with Expandable Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cardiac arrhythmia treatment methods are limited in their ability to accurately map and ablate abnormalities in all layers of the heart, as they typically only address issues within the endocardium, and face challenges with the unstable environment and inaccurate positioning due to the heart's movement and blood flow, leading to incomplete or ineffective procedures.
Innovation Solution
The development of medical devices and systems that allow for epicardial and extra-pericardial access to the heart, using expandable support members with mapping and ablating electrodes that can penetrate the cardiac wall, along with optical devices for precise positioning and energy transmission, enabling mapping, ablation, pacing, and defibrillation procedures across all cardiac layers in a minimally invasive manner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional endocardial approaches are used for arrhythmia treatment, then the procedure can be performed through existing vascular access, but the ability to accurately map and ablate abnormalities in all layers of the heart is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the heart treatment into multiple accessible layers by providing both epicardial and endocardial access capabilities. The multi-electrode array can be positioned at different cardiac layers (epicardium, myocardium, endocardium) to map and ablate abnormalities specifically in each layer, enabling comprehensive treatment of arrhythmias throughout the entire heart structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from traditional single-access (endocardial only) approaches to a multi-dimensional access strategy by enabling epicardial, myocardial, and endocardial access. This is achieved through a deliverable device that can reach multiple cardiac layers, adding spatial dimensionality to the treatment approach and allowing comprehensive mapping and ablation across all heart layers.
2Measurement precision
If the heart's movement and blood flow are not compensated for, then the unstable environment creates inaccurate positioning, but providing stable access requires complex fixation mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates real-time feedback mechanisms through mapping electrodes that continuously monitor electrical signals from the heart. This feedback allows the system to track heart movement and blood flow effects, dynamically adjusting positioning and energy delivery to maintain accuracy despite the unstable cardiac environment, thereby achieving precise mapping and ablation without overly complex mechanical fixation.
3Loss of time
If minimally invasive techniques are used, then patient recovery is faster, but the ability to access and treat deep cardiac structures is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device achieves multi-functionality by integrating mapping, ablation, pacing, and defibrillation capabilities into a single platform that can access multiple cardiac layers. This universal device performs various arrhythmia treatment functions through epicardial and endocardial access, maintaining minimally invasive benefits while expanding the ability to treat deep cardiac structures and all heart layers comprehensively.
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
These systems enable accurate identification and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias in all heart layers, improving procedure effectiveness and safety by allowing precise targeting and minimizing tissue damage, while facilitating faster patient recovery through minimally invasive techniques.
Implementation Method 1
an optical device configured to capture and transmit an epicardial view of the target site for facilitating positioning of the medical device at the target site
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of mapping electrodes configured to receive electrical impulses
Implementation Method 3
at least one ablating electrode configured to transmit energy to a target site proximate the ablating electrode
Data Source
AI summary
Medical devices are described for performing mapping, ablating, pacing, and/or defibrillating procedures on one or more layers of the cardiac wall via an epicardial or extra-pericardial approach in a minimally invasive (e.g., orthoscopic) surgical procedure. One of the medical devices described includes a main support member and one or more secondary support members extending outwardly from the main support member having electrodes configured to receive electrical impulses. The secondary support member may include a support pad configured to be removably attached to a corresponding area of the epicardium for holding the medical device in place during a procedure, such as through application of vacuum pressure via a containment dome provided on each secondary support member. Further, an ablating electrode may be slidably disposed along the main support member for transmitting energy to a target site proximate the electrode. Other devices and associated methods are also described.