Expandable Catheter Electrode Assembly for Uniform Airway Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current catheter designs for delivering electrical energy to body lumens, such as lung airways, are limited by monopolar configurations and inadequate space for thermocouple wires, leading to uneven heating and reduced effectiveness in treating conditions like COPD and asthma.
Innovation Solution
An expandable electrode assembly with a basket configuration, comprising two partially tubular members that can be expanded radially, allowing for bipolar or monopolar energy delivery and improved space for thermocouple wire attachment, eliminating the need for welding and reducing assembly steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If monopolar configuration is used for energy delivery, then the device structure is simpler, but heating distribution becomes uneven and treatment effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode assembly is divided into multiple segments (first and second partially tubular members with multiple legs each) that can be independently positioned around the airway. This segmentation allows for bipolar configuration where energy is delivered between adjacent positive and negative legs, creating multiple localized heating zones that collectively provide uniform heating distribution across the airway wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimension monopolar configuration to a multi-dimensional bipolar arrangement by positioning positive and negative electrodes in alternating circumferential pattern around the airway. This spatial arrangement in multiple dimensions enables uniform energy distribution around the entire airway circumference, solving the heating uniformity problem.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional catheter design is used, then manufacturing is simpler, but space for thermocouple wire attachment is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The design nests the second partially tubular member within the first partially tubular member, creating a compact concentric structure. This nested arrangement maximizes the use of available space while providing sufficient room for thermocouple wire attachment and routing between the layers, without significantly increasing the overall device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode assembly is designed to expand from a compressed delivery configuration to an expanded treatment configuration. This dynamic transformation allows the device to fit through small catheters during delivery, then expand to provide adequate space for thermocouple wire attachment and effective energy delivery at the treatment site.
3Measurement precision
If expandable basket configuration is used, then energy delivery precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The basket is segmented into multiple legs arranged in two partially tubular members, allowing precise positioning of positive and negative electrodes around the airway. This segmentation enables targeted energy delivery to specific airway segments while maintaining overall structural organization that manages device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the electrode structure with the basket expansion mechanism into an integrated assembly. The electrodes are formed as part of the basket legs, merging the energy delivery function with the positioning structure, thereby improving energy delivery precision without proportionally increasing overall device 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 expandable electrode assembly enables precise and controlled delivery of electrical energy, reducing excessive airway smooth muscle and improving treatment efficacy for conditions like COPD and asthma by allowing for even heating distribution and bipolar configurations.
Implementation Method 1
The catheter may be bipolar or monopolar, and may be configured to expand within a body lumen to deliver electrical energy to elongated electrodes located at a distal portion of the catheter
Implementation Method 2
The electrode array may be coupled to one or more thermocouple wires for determining temperature of the electrode array to control the thermal energy delivered to the airway wall
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device may include an expandable energy delivery array reciprocally movable between a first configuration and a second configuration. The expandable energy delivery array may include a first assembly having a first proximal end piece, a first distal end piece, and one or more first energy transfer elements extending between the first proximal and first distal end pieces, and a second assembly having a second proximal end piece, a second distal end piece, and one or more second energy transfer elements extending between the second proximal and second distal end pieces. The second proximal end piece may be proximal to the first proximal end piece and the second distal end piece may be distal to the first distal end piece.