Induction-Heated Vein Ablation Catheter for Focused Thermal Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for improved medical devices and methods to provide focused, controlled thermal energy for treating chronic venous conditions like varicose veins while minimizing effects on surrounding healthy tissue.

Innovation Solution

A catheter with a heating element comprising a tubular conductor, an inductive coil, and a dielectric layer, which generates thermal energy via electromagnetic induction, allowing for flexible insertion and controlled ablation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a heating element is used to provide thermal energy for treating varicose veins, then treatment efficacy is improved, but risk of damage to surrounding healthy tissue increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment efficacyVSAvoiddamage to surrounding healthy tissue

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element is designed with a localized heat generation zone at the distal end of the catheter shaft, concentrating thermal energy precisely at the target vein location. The insulation layer confines heat laterally, ensuring that only the intended treatment area receives therapeutic heat while surrounding healthy tissue remains protected from thermal damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

An insulation layer is introduced as an intermediary between the heating element and surrounding healthy tissue. This dielectric layer acts as a thermal barrier that prevents excessive heat transfer to adjacent healthy structures while allowing the heating element to generate sufficient thermal energy for effective vein treatment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a catheter is made flexible for easy insertion into blood vessels, then ease of operation is improved, but structural stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of insertionVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter shaft is constructed with segmented or layered structure comprising multiple materials with different mechanical properties. The shaft includes flexible outer layers for ease of insertion and more rigid internal structural elements that maintain catheter stability and positioning accuracy during the ablation procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter employs composite materials combining flexible polymers with more rigid structural components. This composite construction allows the catheter to be sufficiently flexible for navigation through tortuous vasculature while maintaining adequate structural stability to support the heating element and deliver controlled thermal energy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If thermal energy is increased for effective ablation, then treatment efficacy is improved, but risk of overheating and tissue damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveablation effectivenessVSAvoidrisk of overheating

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element incorporates temperature sensing capability that provides real-time feedback on the thermal state of the treatment area. This feedback mechanism allows the control system to adjust power delivery dynamically, maintaining optimal ablation temperature while preventing overheating that could damage surrounding healthy tissue or cause adverse events.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The heating element operates with periodic or pulsed thermal delivery rather than continuous heating. This periodic action allows brief intervals for heat dissipation and tissue response, enabling effective ablation accumulation over time while preventing excessive temperature rise and overheating of surrounding structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 catheter provides efficient and controlled thermal ablation of varicose veins with reduced impact on surrounding tissue, enhancing treatment efficacy and flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

the inductive coil is configured to generate an electromagnetic induction field around the tubular conductor, wherein the tubular conductor is configured to generate thermal energy sufficient for ablation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the heating element may include a tubular conductor formed from a magnetic material and connected to the elongated shaft, an inductive coil helically wound over the tubular conductor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInduction heating: Induction Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20250375236A1Ablation catheters with induction heating to treat varicose veins

Publication Date: 2025.12.11 BOSTON SCI MEDICAL DEVICE LTD

AI summary

At least some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a catheter for use in varicose vein treatment including a handle, an elongated shaft connected to the handle, and a heating element disposed near the distal end of the shaft. In some embodiments, the heating element includes a tubular conductor formed from a magnetic material and connected to the elongated shaft, and an inductive coil helically wound over the tubular conductor.