Thermal Mapping Catheter with Flexible Heating Electrodes for Cardiac Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional catheters with rigid electrodes face challenges in maintaining adequate contact with cardiac tissue, especially on contoured or trabeculated surfaces, complicating accurate mapping and lesion formation due to heart movement and tissue irregularities.
Innovation Solution
A flexible framework with heating electrodes and temperature sensors on a catheter shaft, capable of heating to specific temperatures for thermal mapping and ablation, and an irrigation system for improved tissue contact and signal acquisition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid electrodes are used in conventional catheters, then structural stability is maintained, but electrical contact with cardiac tissue is insufficient, especially on contoured or trabeculated surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by replacing rigid electrodes with flexible, conformable electrodes that can adapt to the contoured and trabeculated surfaces of the heart. The flexible framework allows the electrodes to follow the irregular geometry of cardiac tissue, ensuring reliable electrical contact while maintaining structural integrity through the flexible support structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies this principle by making the electrode structure dynamic and adaptable rather than static and rigid. The flexible framework allows the electrodes to move and conform with the beating heart and irregular tissue surfaces, maintaining continuous electrical contact throughout the cardiac cycle despite heart movement and tissue deformation.
2Measurement precision
If conventional rigid catheters are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but accurate mapping and lesion formation are compromised due to inability to maintain contact with irregular tissue surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by dividing the catheter into modular segments with independent flexible frameworks. Each segment can be independently designed and manufactured, allowing for precise control of electrode positioning and flexibility characteristics. This segmentation enables accurate mapping by allowing each segment to conform to local tissue geometry while maintaining overall catheter functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible frameworks that allow the catheter to adapt to irregular tissue surfaces, enabling accurate mapping and lesion formation. The flexible structure permits the catheter to conform to contoured and trabeculated surfaces, ensuring reliable electrical contact for precise thermal procedures while maintaining manageable manufacturing complexity through standardized flexible component designs.
3Reliability
If rigid electrodes are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but contact with beating cardiac tissue is insufficient for adequate mapping and ablation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by transitioning from rigid to dynamic electrode structures that can adapt to the beating heart. The flexible framework allows the electrodes to maintain stable contact with moving tissue surfaces throughout the cardiac cycle, ensuring reliable mapping and ablation while reducing the need for excessive rigidity through intelligent flexible structure design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible frameworks that enable the electrodes to conform to and maintain contact with irregular cardiac surfaces during beating. This flexibility allows the electrodes to track with tissue movement and maintain stable electrical contact, improving reliability without requiring the rigidity of conventional electrodes, as the flexible structure naturally adapts to tissue deformation.
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
Enhances electrical contact with cardiac tissue, allowing for accurate mapping and ablation by warming the tissue to unmask arrhythmia patterns and facilitating precise thermal procedures.
Implementation Method 1
A flexible framework with heating electrodes and temperature sensors on a catheter shaft, capable of heating to specific temperatures for thermal mapping and ablation
Implementation Method 2
A flexible framework with heating electrodes and temperature sensors on a catheter shaft, capable of heating to specific temperatures for thermal mapping and ablation
Data Source
AI summary
A catheter is disclosed comprising a catheter shaft including a proximal end and a distal end. A flexible framework can be connected to the distal end of the catheter shaft, wherein the flexible framework includes a plurality of heating electrodes and a temperature sensor. The plurality of heating electrodes can be configured to be heated to a first temperature, the first temperature being lower than which radio frequency ablation is performed. The plurality of heating electrodes can be configured to be heated to a second temperature, the second temperature being a temperature at which radio frequency ablation is performed.