Flexible-Tip Ablation Catheter with Localized Electrogram Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mapping and ablation catheters face challenges in accurately determining electrical signals at precise ablation sites due to signal attenuation and the need for separate diagnostic catheters, leading to complex signal determination and reduced resolution.

Innovation Solution

A catheter design with a flexible tip assembly featuring equally spaced mapping electrodes and an irrigation lumen, allowing for direct electrical signal acquisition at the ablation site and improved contact with cardiac tissue, enhancing electrogram fidelity and resolution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single catheter is used for both mapping and ablation, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of electrical signals deteriorates due to signal attenuation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter system complexityVSAvoidelectrical signal measurement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter tip is divided into functionally distinct segments: mapping electrodes positioned circumferentially for electrical signal acquisition, an ablation electrode for tissue ablation, and irrigation ports for fluid delivery. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specialized function optimally while being integrated into a single catheter structure, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If mapping electrodes are positioned away from the ablation site, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to far-field signal contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter operation easeVSAvoidelectrogram fidelity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Mapping electrodes are positioned in immediate proximity to the ablation electrode, creating a localized measurement zone. This local positioning ensures that electrical signals are captured at the precise treatment site with high fidelity, minimizing far-field contamination while maintaining ease of single-catheter operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If irrigation fluid is delivered through the catheter, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional lumens and ports

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter tip tissue contact precisionVSAvoidcatheter internal structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The irrigation lumen is nested within the catheter shaft structure, with irrigation ports positioned at the tip among other components. This nested configuration allows fluid delivery functionality to be integrated into the existing catheter architecture without proportionally increasing overall complexity, while achieving precise control of irrigation fluid delivery to the tissue interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 catheter provides higher resolution mapping and ablation capabilities, enabling precise pinpointing of ablation sites and real-time electrogram analysis, with improved contact and reduced far-field signals.

Implementation Method 1

an irrigation lumen extending through the elongate shaft and into an interior of the flexible tip assembly, wherein the irrigation lumen is configured to direct irrigation fluid to the plurality of irrigation ports

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow through lumen:

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of irrigation ports, and at least one thermocouple

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermocouple effect: Thermocouple

Implementation Method 3

the flexible tip assembly comprising at least three mapping electrodes equally spaced about a circumference of the flexible tip

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical signal detection:

Implementation Method 4

a flexible ablation electrode... configured to deliver therapeutic energy to the tissue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal ablation:

Data Source

PatentUS20250261994A1Ablation catheter with electrodes

Publication Date: 2025.08.21 ST JUDE MEDICAL CARDILOGY DIV INC

AI summary

A catheter configured to deliver therapeutic energy to a tissue is disclosed. The catheter comprises an elongate shaft extending along a shaft longitudinal axis. The catheter further comprises a flexible tip assembly coupled to a distal end of the elongate shaft, the flexible tip assembly comprising at least three mapping electrodes equally spaced about a circumference of the flexible tip, a flexible ablation electrode, and a plurality of irrigation ports. The catheter further comprises an irrigation lumen extending through the elongate shaft and into an interior of the flexible tip assembly, wherein the irrigation lumen is configured to direct irrigation fluid to the plurality of irrigation ports.