External Autonomic Modulation for Renal Nerve Ablation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating hypertension and related conditions, such as heart failure, are invasive, lack precision, and often ineffective due to the difficulty in accurately targeting and ablating renal sympathetic nerves, leading to suboptimal outcomes and increased healthcare costs.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive method using external energy delivery systems, such as focused ultrasound and ionizing radiation, to precisely target and ablate renal sympathetic nerves by creating a three-dimensional coordinate reference frame of the renal arteries, allowing for precise energy application from multiple angles to interrupt nerve function, thereby reducing sympathetic stimulation and controlling hypertension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If invasive surgical procedures are used to target renal sympathetic nerves, then nerve ablation can be achieved, but patient trauma, pain, and recovery time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/invasive surgical systems with non-invasive energy delivery systems. Specifically, it uses focused ultrasound energy and other forms of energy transmitted through the body to ablate renal sympathetic nerves without requiring physical contact or incision, thereby eliminating patient trauma and pain while maintaining ablation effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces energy waves (ultrasound, electromagnetic energy) as intermediaries to deliver therapeutic effect from a distance. These energy forms act as mediators that can penetrate tissue and deposit energy at the target site (renal sympathetic nerves) without requiring direct contact between the delivery device and the nerve, thus avoiding invasive procedures
2Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional open surgical procedures are replaced by laparoscopic tools, then patient pain and complications are reduced, but the ability to precisely target and ablate nerves from a distance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional laparoscopic manipulation (requiring physical insertion and manual positioning) to three-dimensional non-contact energy delivery. By using focused energy waves that can be precisely directed and focused at any depth within the body, the system achieves true three-dimensional targeting capability, allowing nerve ablation from any angle or position without physical constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical laparoscopic system with an energy-based system that uses focused ultrasound or electromagnetic radiation. This substitution eliminates the need for physical insertion of tools into the body cavity, allowing energy to be delivered through the skin and soft tissues to reach deep-located renal sympathetic nerves with precise spatial control
3Measurement precision
If invasive procedures are used to access renal sympathetic nerves, then nerve targeting can be achieved, but procedure complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical navigation and positioning systems with energy-based targeting systems that use imaging guidance (such as ultrasound or CT) to locate nerves and focus energy delivery. This substitution simplifies the overall procedure by eliminating the need for complex surgical instrumentation, dissection, and manual positioning, while maintaining or improving targeting accuracy through non-contact energy focusing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses energy waves as intermediaries that can be precisely focused and controlled to target nerves. These energy mediators can be directed exactly where needed based on imaging guidance, eliminating the need for complex surgical pathways and dissection planes required by invasive procedures, thereby reducing procedural complexity while maintaining precision
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
This approach provides a minimally invasive, highly effective means of reducing hypertension and related conditions by accurately targeting and ablating renal sympathetic nerves, potentially reducing the need for medication and improving patient outcomes while minimizing side effects and costs.
Implementation Method 1
A non-invasive method using external energy delivery systems, such as focused ultrasound
Implementation Method 2
precisely target and ablate renal sympathetic nerves
Implementation Method 3
external energy delivery systems, such as focused ultrasound and ionizing radiation
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, nerves surrounding arteries or leading to organs are targeted with energy sources to correct or modulate physiologic processes. In some embodiments, different types of energy sources are utilized singly or combined with one another. In some embodiments, bioactive agents or devices activated by the energy sources are delivered to the region of interest and the energy is enhanced by such agents.