Impedance-Guided Catheter Positioning for Renal Denervation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The reliance on contrast dye for visualizing the location of renal denervation devices during procedures like renal denervation can cause adverse effects such as contrast-induced nephropathy, highlighting the need for a safer and more reliable method to determine the location of these devices within blood vessels.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a guide catheter with a lumen and energy delivery elements, along with an inner catheter that transforms from a delivery to a deployed configuration, uses impedance measurements to determine the location of the inner catheter within the renal blood vessel, allowing for precise placement without contrast dye.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If contrast dye is introduced to visualize the location of the renal denervation device, then the location can be determined accurately, but adverse effects such as contrast-induced nephropathy occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation determination accuracyVSAvoidcontrast-induced nephropathy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the optical/chemical system of contrast dye visualization with an electrical measurement system using impedance sensing. The controller measures impedance between the energy delivery element and reference electrode to determine catheter location, eliminating the need for contrast dye injection and its associated nephrotoxic effects while maintaining location determination capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces impedance measurement as an intermediary method to determine catheter location. Instead of directly visualizing the catheter with contrast dye, the system uses impedance changes in the tissue as a mediator to infer catheter position, providing indirect but accurate location information without harmful contrast exposure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If fluoroscopy is used to monitor the location of the renal denervation device, then the treatment can be monitored, but additional contrast dye must be reintroduced causing further adverse effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment monitoring capabilityVSAvoidrepeated contrast exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables continuous monitoring of catheter location and treatment progress through real-time impedance measurements during the procedure. The controller continuously measures impedance as the catheter moves and during energy delivery, providing ongoing feedback without requiring repeated contrast dye injections, thus maintaining reliable treatment monitoring while eliminating repeated harmful exposure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If impedance measurement is used to determine catheter location, then contrast dye exposure is reduced, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrast dye exposureVSAvoidimpedance measurement system

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the energy delivery element serve multiple functions: it delivers neuromodulation energy to the tissue and simultaneously acts as an impedance sensing electrode to determine catheter location. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated sensing electrodes or complex external imaging systems, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to measure impedance for location determination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 reduces the risk of adverse effects by eliminating the need for contrast dye, enhancing the safety and accuracy of renal denervation procedures while minimizing radiation exposure and procedural complexity.

Implementation Method 1

The controller is configured to measure a first impedance between the first energy delivery element and the guide catheter energy delivery element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpedance: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentUS20240138703A1Impedance guided positioning of the catheter to reduce contrast exposure

Publication Date: 2024.05.02 MEDTRONIC IRELAND MFG UNLIMITED CO

AI summary

Methods, systems, devices, assemblies and apparatuses for renal denervation. The system includes a guide catheter. The guide catheter has a lumen and a guide catheter energy delivery element. The distal portion of the guide catheter is configured to be intravascularly positioned within a main vessel. The system include an inner catheter. The inner catheter is positioned within the lumen of the guide catheter and has multiple energy delivery elements. The multiple energy delivery elements include a first energy delivery element and a second energy delivery element. The system includes a controller. The controller is coupled to the renal denervation device. The controller is configured to measure a first impedance between the first energy delivery element and the guide catheter energy delivery element. The controller is configured to provide a location of the inner catheter within the renal blood vessel based on the first impedance.