Impedance Catheter Navigation for X-Ray Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Coronary interventional procedures involve significant x-ray exposure risks for both patients and interventionalists due to the prolonged use of x-ray imaging during device delivery in arterial systems, necessitating a method to reduce x-ray exposure and eliminate unnecessary contrast injection.

Innovation Solution

The use of a device with an elongated body and impedance detectors to navigate and obtain conductance data within the arterial system, allowing for precise device placement and medical procedures without relying on x-ray imaging, and enabling the delivery of contrast agents or ablation energy as needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If x-ray imaging is used to guide device delivery through the arterial system, then device placement accuracy is improved, but x-ray exposure risk increases significantly for both patient and interventionalist

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice placement accuracyVSAvoidx-ray exposure risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the x-ray imaging system (electromagnetic radiation-based guidance) with an impedance sensing system that uses electrical fields to detect vessel characteristics and guide device delivery. The impedance catheter measures conductance changes to identify anatomical landmarks and guide navigation without requiring ionizing radiation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces conductance data as an intermediary medium between the device and the operator. Instead of directly visualizing anatomy through x-ray images, the system uses impedance measurements to generate conductance profiles that indicate vessel characteristics and location, serving as a mediator for navigation decisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If contrast injection is performed to obtain vascular images, then vascular anatomy visualization is improved, but the need for additional procedure steps and potential complications increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevascular anatomy visualizationVSAvoidprocedure steps

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the navigation guidance function from the contrast injection process. Instead of relying on contrast-enhanced imaging to visualize vessels, the impedance catheter directly measures electrical conductance properties of the blood and vessel walls to provide navigation information without requiring contrast agents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the blood itself to serve as the sensing medium. The impedance measurements utilize the electrical properties of blood (its conductance) to provide navigation information, eliminating the need for external contrast agents. The body's own physiological properties are harnessed for guidance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of time

If prolonged x-ray imaging is used during coronary interventional procedures, then real-time device tracking is improved, but cumulative x-ray exposure and associated health risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time device trackingVSAvoidcumulative x-ray exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables continuous real-time impedance measurements throughout the device delivery process. The catheter continuously samples conductance data as it moves through the arterial system, providing uninterrupted navigation guidance without the intermittent nature of x-ray imaging bursts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the x-ray imaging system with a continuous impedance sensing system that provides real-time feedback through electrical measurements. This replacement eliminates the need for continuous or intermittent x-ray exposure while maintaining real-time navigation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This approach significantly reduces x-ray exposure, facilitates precise device placement and medical procedures, and allows for the detection and diagnosis of conditions like calcified aortic stenosis and aneurysms, while enabling various medical interventions without the need for extensive x-ray use.

Implementation Method 1

the detector configured to obtain conductance data within the arterial system using impedance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpedance: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentUS11213281B2Arterial system navigation methods and devices and systems to perform the same

Publication Date: 2022.01.04 3DT HLDG

AI summary

Arterial system navigation methods and devices and systems to perform the same. In an exemplary embodiment of a method of the present disclosure, the method comprises the steps of inserting at least part of an impedance device into an artery of a patient, the artery selected from the group consisting of a femoral artery and a radial artery, obtaining at least one conductance measurement while navigating a distal end of the impedance device through an arterial vasculature of the patient until the distal end is at or near a left ventricle, and performing at least one medical procedure at a location within the arterial vasculature.