Flexible High-Density Electrode Catheters for Cardiac Mapping and Ablation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ablation catheters face challenges in maintaining adequate contact between electrodes and myocardial tissue, especially on contoured or irregular surfaces, leading to inadequate lesion formation and prolonged procedures due to the need for separate electrophysiology mapping and ablation steps.

Innovation Solution

Development of flexible catheters with high-density electrode arrays that can conform to tissue, enabling both electrophysiology mapping and ablation using monopolar and bipolar configurations, allowing for precise tissue characterization and customized ablation therapy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional rigid ring electrodes are used for ablation therapy, then ablation energy can be delivered to treat cardiac arrhythmia, but adequate contact with contoured or irregular myocardial tissue surfaces cannot be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact stabilityVSAvoidtissue conformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs flexible planar electrode arrays and basket catheters with conformable structures that can adapt to the irregular surfaces of myocardial tissue. The flexible design allows the electrodes to maintain intimate contact with contoured tissue surfaces, solving the contact stability problem while preserving the ability to deliver ablation energy effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter design incorporates dynamic elements that allow the electrode array to flex and conform to the beating heart's surface. This dynamic adaptability ensures continuous contact with irregular tissue surfaces during cardiac motion, maintaining reliable electrical connection for both mapping and ablation functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If separate electrophysiology mapping and ablation catheters are used, then precise tissue characterization can be achieved, but procedure duration is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrophysiology mapping accuracyVSAvoidprocedure duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates both electrophysiology mapping electrodes and ablation electrodes into a single catheter assembly. This merged design allows the clinician to perform mapping and ablation procedures sequentially using one device, eliminating the need to remove and reinsert separate catheters, thereby reducing procedure time while maintaining mapping precision and ablation effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter is designed with multi-functional capabilities, incorporating electrode arrays that can serve both mapping and ablation purposes. The same flexible planar array or basket structure that enables precise electrophysiology mapping also provides the necessary electrode configuration for delivering ablation energy, allowing one catheter to perform multiple functions that previously required separate devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If focal point ablation catheters are used to limit tissue damage, then targeted ablation can be achieved, but contact maintenance on irregular surfaces remains difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunnecessary tissue damageVSAvoidelectrode-tissue contact

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter employs segmented electrode arrays distributed across the planar surface or basket structure. This segmentation allows multiple focal points to be engaged with the tissue surface simultaneously, increasing the likelihood of maintaining adequate contact on irregular surfaces while keeping each individual electrode focal and targeted, thus limiting damage to only the necessary tissue areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Facilitates improved diagnostic specificity and reduced procedure duration by integrating mapping and ablation functions into a single catheter, minimizing unnecessary tissue damage and optimizing ablation depth for targeted treatment of cardiac arrhythmias.

Implementation Method 1

The plurality of electrodes detect electrophysiological characteristics of tissue in contact with the planar array

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

The plurality of electrodes selectively ablate the tissue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadio-frequency ablation: Dielectric Heating

Implementation Method 3

deliver an ablation therapy (e.g., RF ablation energy)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 4

Each of the temperature sensors are mechanically coupled to the splines and placed in thermal communication with at least one of the electrodes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS12376901B2Radio-frequency ablation and direct current electroporation catheters

Publication Date: 2025.08.05 ST JUDE MEDICAL CARDILOGY DIV INC

AI summary

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to flexible catheters for both electrophysiology mapping and ablation using a high-density array of electrodes. These catheters may be used to detect electrophysiological characteristics of tissue in contact with the electrodes, and conduct monopolar and bipolar ablations of the tissue.