High-Voltage Catheter Insulation for Sub-Microsecond Pulse Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-voltage devices for delivering sub-microsecond electrical pulses face risks of arcing, burns, and internal organ damage when inserted into the body, necessitating the development of safe and reliable applicators for therapeutic energy delivery.
Innovation Solution
Catheters and scopes with retractable electrodes and insulating regions are designed to deliver high-voltage, sub-microsecond pulses safely, using concentric conductive layers and flexible insulation to minimize tissue damage, and are compatible with robotic systems for precise treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-voltage devices are inserted into the body to deliver sub-microsecond electrical pulses, then therapeutic energy can be delivered to treat diseases, but risks of arcing, burns, and internal organ damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into multiple functional segments: retractable electrode components, insulating regions, and concentric conductive layers. This segmentation allows the electrode to be retracted into insulating regions when not in use, preventing harmful arcing and burns while enabling targeted energy delivery when deployed
Solution Approach 2:
Flexible insulating materials serve as intermediaries between the high-voltage conductive layers and the surrounding tissue environment. These insulating regions prevent direct contact between high-voltage components and tissue, eliminating the risk of arcing and burns while allowing controlled energy delivery through the electrode when retracted
2Productivity
If sub-microsecond high voltage pulses are delivered to induce apoptosis in diseased tissue, then selective treatment of cancer cells is achieved, but precise control and positioning are required to avoid harming normal cells
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter design concentrates the high-voltage pulse delivery to a specific local region through the retractable electrode. By positioning the electrode tip at the target site and retracting it into the insulating region when not active, the system achieves localized treatment of diseased tissue while preventing energy dispersion that could harm surrounding normal cells
Solution Approach 2:
The system delivers electrical energy in sub-microsecond pulsed intervals rather than continuous exposure. This periodic action allows precise control of energy delivery timing, enabling apoptosis induction in targeted cells while providing intervals where the electrode can be retracted into insulating regions to protect surrounding tissue
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 apparatuses effectively apply high-voltage, fast electrical pulses to induce apoptosis in diseased tissue while sparing surrounding normal cells, suitable for treating conditions like cancer with minimal risk of harm.
Implementation Method 1
a first conductive layer formed from a first plurality of braided or woven filaments extending down at least a portion of the length of the elongate body; a second conductive layer formed from a second plurality of braided or woven filaments extending concentric to the first conductive layer
Implementation Method 2
wherein the first and second conductive layers are enclosed by a flexible electrically insulating material
Data Source
AI summary
Flexible catheters adapted to be inserted into a body to deliver high-voltage, fast (e.g., microsecond, sub-microsecond, nanosecond, picosecond, etc.) electrical energy to target tissue may include a plurality of conductive layers, that may be coaxial. These catheters and method of using them to treat tissue are configured to reduce or avoid arcing.