Hepatic Neuromodulation Catheter With Cooled RF Nerve Ablation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for diabetes mellitus, such as insulin injections and blood glucose monitoring, require daily patient compliance and do not address the underlying metabolic issues effectively.
Innovation Solution
Therapeutic neuromodulation of targeted nerve fibers, specifically disrupting or stimulating sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve fibers associated with the liver and other organs, to regulate insulin and glucose metabolism, using methods like ablation, denervation, and stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current treatments like insulin injections and blood glucose monitoring are used, then blood glucose levels can be controlled, but patient compliance becomes problematic due to daily self-management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and disrupts the autonomic nerve fibers that control hepatic glucose production, removing the need for continuous patient intervention. By targeting the neural pathways in the hepatic plexus, the treatment eliminates daily insulin injections and glucose monitoring while maintaining blood glucose control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary disruption of autonomic nerve fibers before metabolic dysfunction fully develops or worsens. The neural intervention is conducted in advance to prevent the need for ongoing treatment, establishing long-term metabolic control through a single procedural action.
2Reliability
If insulin injections are administered, then glucose uptake is improved, but the treatment is not available in pill form and requires injection under the skin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical injection method with a neural intervention approach. Instead of administering insulin through repeated皮下 injections, the treatment uses radiofrequency energy to disrupt autonomic nerve fibers, eliminating the need for mechanical injection while achieving metabolic control.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If nerve fibers are disrupted to treat metabolic diseases, then semi-permanent or permanent treatment is achieved, but the procedure requires precise targeting of hepatic plexus nerves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary substance (contrast agent or saline) injected into the hepatic artery to facilitate precise localization of the hepatic plexus nerves. This intermediary enhances the visibility and accessibility of the target nerves during the procedure, enabling accurate radiofrequency energy delivery while achieving long-term treatment effects.
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
Provides a semi-permanent or permanent treatment for diabetes and related metabolic disorders by reducing the need for daily insulin injections and glucose monitoring, effectively modulating glucose and insulin levels.
Implementation Method 1
an electrode positioned near the distal end of the catheter shaft and configured to transmit radiofrequency energy into a vessel wall
Implementation Method 2
means for cooling the four clusters of electrode members
Data Source
AI summary
According to various embodiments, systems, devices and methods for modulating targeted nerve fibers (e.g., hepatic neuromodulation) or other tissue are provided. Systems, devices and methods for cooling energy delivery members are also provided. The systems may be configured to access tortuous anatomy of or adjacent hepatic vasculature. The systems may be configured to target nerves surrounding (e.g., within adventitia of or within perivascular space of) an artery or other blood vessel, such as the common hepatic artery.