Expandable Lattice Medical Device for Controlled Tissue Ablation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices for tissue ablation in blood vessels face challenges such as blocking blood flow, risk of overheating, and limited flexibility for use in small vessels due to their design, which can lead to long-term tissue damage and inefficiency in temperature monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A medical device featuring a radially expandable, partially tubular lattice structure with integrated electrodes and temperature sensors on a self-supporting contact element, manufactured using thin-film technology, allowing for precise temperature monitoring and controlled ablation while maintaining blood flow and flexibility for use in small vessels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If balloon-expandable electrodes are used for ablation, then tissue ablation is achieved, but blood flow is blocked and nutrient supply is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the continuous balloon structure into a lattice framework with multiple discrete struts and crossbars, creating open spaces between structural elements. This segmentation allows blood to flow through the device while electrodes remain positioned against the vessel wall for effective ablation.
Solution Approach 2:
The lattice structure provides localized contact points where electrodes are positioned against the vessel wall for ablation, while the spaces between lattice elements maintain open blood flow paths. Different regions of the device have different functions: contact regions for ablation and open regions for flow maintenance.
2Measurement precision
If temperature sensors are integrated between electrodes on the lattice structure, then temperature monitoring is achieved, but the wall thickness increases and expandability is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor housing is merged with the lattice structure itself, using the same structural elements (struts and crossbars) to provide both mechanical support and sensor mounting. This integration eliminates the need for separate thick walls and reduces overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The lattice struts and crossbars serve multiple functions: providing structural support for the device, serving as mounting surfaces for electrodes, and housing temperature sensors. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional structural elements and maintains lattice thinness.
3Strength
If stent electrodes with grid structure are used, then electrode support is provided, but the structure becomes difficult to compress for use in small vessels
Solution Approach 1:
The lattice structure is designed with flexible joints and articulated connections between struts and crossbars, allowing the framework to dynamically compress and expand. This dynamic design enables the device to be compressed for delivery through small vessels and then expanded at the treatment site to provide adequate electrode support.
Solution Approach 2:
The lattice structure uses thin-walled struts and crossbars that can bend and deform elastically, providing flexibility for compression while maintaining sufficient structural integrity when expanded. The thin-walled design allows the device to conform to small vessel geometries during delivery.
4Strength
If electrodes are connected to struts in the grid structure, then structural support is provided, but the flexibility of struts is influenced and compressibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The lattice structure is pre-formed with integrated electrode mounting features and flexible joint designs before delivery. This preliminary configuration allows the device to maintain structural support capabilities while preserving strut flexibility for compression during delivery through small vessels.
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 device ensures efficient tissue ablation with minimal nutrient disruption and overheating prevention, maintaining blood flow and supporting vessel integrity, enabling precise and targeted treatment with improved mechanical properties and expanded usage in various vessel sizes.
Implementation Method 1
Electrodes are arranged on the balloon surface, which, when appropriately controlled, lead to a local increase in temperature in the adjacent tissue, thereby ablating the tissue. Tissue ablation, or ablation, occurs at temperatures above 50°C. Such temperatures lead to protein coagulation and cell necrosis.
Implementation Method 2
The temperature sensors detect the temperature generated during energy introduction into the tissue, and the ablation intensity is controlled accordingly.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a medical device for ablating tissue cells, said device comprising at least one electrode (14), at least one temperature sensor (15) and a radially expandable lattice structure (10) which has webs (11) that delimit cells (12) and at least part of which is tubular. The lattice structure (10) has at least one contact element (13) arranged on the same wall plane as the webs (11) and connected to said webs (11) and the electrode (14) and the temperature sensor (15) are arranged on the contact element (13).