Esophageal Deflector Tube With Optical Fiber Temperature Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional temperature probes for monitoring esophageal temperature during ablation procedures are prone to inaccuracies due to air gaps and heat sink effects, leading to potential thermal injury and limited ablation effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a tube with integrated deflector and temperature probes, utilizing optical fiber sensors and a processor to monitor and control esophageal temperature, allowing for precise displacement and measurement to avoid thermal injury.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional temperature probes with thermistors and metallic leads are used, then temperature monitoring is possible, but air gaps form between the thermistor and tissue causing inaccurate measurements and heat sink effects leading to thermal injury

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature measurement accuracyVSAvoidthermal injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional electrical thermistor-based temperature sensing system with an optical fiber-based sensing system. The optical fiber uses light transmission and reflection principles to measure temperature without metallic components, eliminating the heat sink effect and air gap issues inherent in electrical probe designs. The optical fiber sensor directly contacts the tissue to measure temperature accurately without creating thermal injury risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material construction for the temperature probe, combining optical fiber with biocompatible materials for the catheter shaft and sensing tip. This composite approach allows the probe to maintain flexibility, achieve proper tissue contact, and eliminate metallic heat-conducting components while preserving temperature measurement capability through optical principles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If RF ablation is delivered with higher power to achieve desired lesion, then ablation effectiveness improves, but esophageal injury risk increases due to proximity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveablation effectivenessVSAvoidesophageal thermal injury

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a real-time feedback control system where the optical fiber temperature sensor continuously monitors esophageal temperature during RF ablation. When the temperature approaches a predetermined safety threshold, the system automatically adjusts or terminates the RF energy delivery. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows effective ablation to be performed while preventing esophageal thermal injury through dynamic power modulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If the esophagus remains in its natural position during ablation, then procedure simplicity is maintained, but thermal injury risk increases due to proximity with the ablation site

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedure simplicityVSAvoidthermal injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by positioning the optical fiber temperature sensor in the esophagus before initiating RF ablation. The sensor is advanced through the catheter and positioned adjacent to the expected ablation site. This preliminary positioning allows real-time temperature monitoring to begin before thermal injury can occur, enabling proactive safety management while maintaining procedural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables accurate temperature monitoring and controlled esophageal displacement, reducing the risk of thermal injury and enhancing the effectiveness of ablation procedures.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing optical fiber sensors and a processor to monitor and control esophageal temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical fiber sensing: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 2

allowing for precise displacement and measurement to avoid thermal injury

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical displacement: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS12507898B2Esophageal management system for use in displacing an esophagus during a medical procedure

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 CHELAK MEDICAL SOLUTION INC

AI summary

Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for managing an esophagus of a subject during a medical procedure, such as cardiac tissue ablation or bronchial tissue ablation. Managing the esophagus may include displacing the esophagus, imaging the esophagus, and/or measuring temperature at one or more locations inside the esophagus. One example esophageal management system generally includes a tube configured for insertion through a mouth and into the esophagus of the subject. The tube generally includes a first port located at a proximal end of the tube and in fluid communication with a distal portion of the tube via a first path, a second port located at the proximal end of the tube, and a third port located between the proximal end of the tube and a distal end of the tube and in fluid communication with the second port via a second path.