In Vivo Temperature Control via Liquid Volume Differential
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current temperature control systems during catheter ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation lack the ability to continuously monitor and actively control esophageal temperature, leading to potential esophageal damage due to delayed alerts and lack of temperature regulation mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
An in vivo temperature control system comprising a catheter with a temperature sensor, liquid storage, and a pump controlled by a system that calculates the difference between liquid injected and suctioned, automatically adjusting to maintain safe esophageal temperatures by releasing or sucking liquid based on temperature and pressure thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a temperature measurement device with alert output is used to monitor internal esophageal temperature, then temperature monitoring capability is improved, but response time is delayed when temperature changes rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The system calculates the remaining time until the internal esophageal temperature reaches the temperature limit based on the rate of change of temperature, and outputs this predicted time in advance. This allows proactive measures to be taken before the dangerous temperature is actually reached, resolving the delay problem of traditional alert systems that only react after the threshold is exceeded.
2Device complexity
If only temperature monitoring is implemented without active control mechanism, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability of temperature control is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the internal esophageal temperature and the amount of liquid injected, calculating the remaining time until dangerous temperature is reached. Based on this feedback information, the system can automatically adjust the liquid injection rate or issue alerts, creating a closed-loop control system that improves reliability without requiring complex active cooling mechanisms.
3Temperature
If liquid injection is used to control temperature, then temperature control capability is improved, but accuracy of liquid amount management deteriorates due to suction and leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a balloon as an intermediary element between the liquid injection system and the esophagus. The balloon can be inflated with liquid to cool the esophagus indirectly, and its expansion state can be detected to determine when sufficient cooling has been achieved. This mediator approach allows temperature control while avoiding the need for precise measurement of liquid amounts that may be affected by suction and leakage.
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 system effectively monitors and controls esophageal temperatures during procedures, reducing the risk of esophageal damage by enabling proactive cooling or heating measures, ensuring safer ablation processes.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor that can measure the temperature in the living body
Implementation Method 2
a pump that supplies the liquid from the liquid storage section to the catheter
Implementation Method 3
allows one to take prior measures such as stopping of the ablation before the esophagus is injured by heating or cooling
Data Source
AI summary
An in vivo temperature control system including a catheter insertable into a living body; a temperature sensor that can measure the temperature in the living body; a liquid storage section that stores a liquid; a pump that supplies the liquid from the liquid storage section to the catheter; and a control section that controls driving of the pump; wherein the control section calculates a difference obtained by subtracting an integrated amount of the liquid sucked inside of the catheter from an integrated amount of the liquid released outside of the catheter, and allows the pump to operate and suck the liquid into the catheter when the difference exceeds a preset threshold, and then stop the driving of the pump when the difference reaches the preset threshold or less.