Functional-Tip Cryoprobe for Precise Cardiac Tissue Ablation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cryoprobes for minimally invasive cardiac ablation lack precision and flexibility, leading to unnecessary tissue freezing and increased invasiveness due to rigid tips that cannot be shaped during surgery.
Innovation Solution
A cryoprobe with a movable functional tip that is hingedly or elastically attached to a first tip, allowing for temperature measurement and precise shaping of the tips to match the tissue shape, enabling controlled and precise ablation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If rigid tips are used in cryoprobe, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability to tissue shape deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tip is divided into multiple segments that can move relative to each other, allowing the tip to adapt to tissue contours while maintaining structural integrity through controlled segmental movement
Solution Approach 2:
The tip transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic structure with movable parts that can adjust their configuration to match the tissue shape being treated, enabling both stability and adaptability
2Ease of manufacture
If rigid tips are used in cryoprobe, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible intermediary element is introduced between the rigid tip structure and the tissue surface, allowing precise temperature measurement at the tissue interface while the rigid structure maintains manufacturing simplicity
3Productivity
If simultaneous ablation on both sides of heart tissue is performed, then productivity is improved, but harmful factors increase
Solution Approach 1:
Temperature measurement feedback from the tissue surface controls the ablation process, allowing simultaneous bilateral ablation while monitoring and preventing damage to non-target tissues through real-time temperature data
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 cryoprobe achieves precise ablation with reduced tissue damage by allowing the functional tip to be shaped and positioned accurately, ensuring minimal contact with non-target tissues and faster procedure times.
Implementation Method 1
a first tip (1) having a cooling system for destroying tissues by freezing them
Implementation Method 2
it has at its end at least a temperature measuring system for the tissues being destroyed by the first tip
Data Source
AI summary
A cryoprobe for minimally invasive cardiac ablation with a functional tip (2) according to the invention comprises a handle (5) and a first tip (1), having a cooling system for destroying tissues by freezing them, and at least one functional tip (2). Wherein the functional tip (2) is movable relative to the first tip (1), and it has at its end (4) at least a temperature measuring system (6) for the tissues being destroyed by the first tip (1). The first tip (1) is in turn mounted in a handle (5) provided with at least one button (3) for controlling the functional tip (2). Both the first tip (1) and at least one functional tip (2) have a part susceptible to a plastic change in shape. The cryoprobe according to the invention is characterised in that at least one functional tip (2) has a central part susceptible to a plastic change in shape, and a rigid part at its end, and the first tip (1) has a part susceptible to a plastic change in shape at its end, and the remaining part of the first tip (1) is rigid.The invention also comprises a method for controlling the cryoprobe.