Insulated Ablation Catheter for Accurate Tissue Temperature Measurement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional ablation catheters struggle to accurately determine tissue temperature during procedures, as temperature sensors typically measure the cooling fluid's temperature rather than the actual tissue temperature, leading to inaccurate readings and potential overheating issues.
Innovation Solution
The development of an ablation catheter with an insulating chamber and a temperature sensor that is thermally isolated from the ablation electrode, allowing for accurate tissue temperature measurement by using a cooling fluid pathway and an insulating chamber to reduce heat transfer from the electrode and fluid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a temperature sensor is placed near the ablation electrode to measure tissue temperature, then temperature measurement accuracy is improved, but the sensor reading becomes inaccurate due to heat interference from the electrode
Solution Approach 1:
An insulating chamber is introduced as an intermediary structure between the ablation electrode and the temperature sensor. This chamber acts as a thermal barrier that blocks heat from the electrode from reaching the sensor, allowing the sensor to accurately measure tissue temperature without being affected by the electrode's thermal field.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: the ablation electrode region, the insulating chamber region, and the temperature sensor region. This spatial segmentation isolates the temperature measurement function from the heat-generating ablation function, enabling accurate temperature sensing despite the presence of high temperatures during ablation.
2Temperature
If cooling fluid is delivered through the catheter to prevent electrode overheating, then electrode temperature control is improved, but the temperature sensor cannot distinguish between cooling fluid temperature and tissue temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating chamber serves as a thermal intermediary that separates the cooling fluid pathway from the temperature sensor. This allows the sensor to measure tissue temperature through the insulating barrier while the cooling fluid independently regulates electrode temperature, preventing thermal crosstalk between these functions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the catheter are assigned different thermal properties: the insulating chamber has low thermal conductivity to block heat from the electrode, while the cooling fluid pathway allows efficient heat transfer from the electrode. This localized differentiation of thermal characteristics enables simultaneous temperature control and accurate measurement.
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 design enhances the accuracy of tissue temperature readings, reducing the risk of overheating and improving the effectiveness of ablative procedures by providing precise temperature feedback.
Implementation Method 1
an insulating chamber extending at least partially about the ablation electrode and configured to at least partially insulate the sensor from the ablation electrode
Implementation Method 2
a pathway for providing cooling fluid to the ablative tip. Within the tip, cooling fluid can circulate in an open loop or closed loop configuration
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a catheter device sized and shaped for vascular access that has an elongate body extending between a proximal end and a distal end. Further, the elongate body has at least one inner lumen configured to receive a fluid. The catheter also has an ablation electrode configured to provide ablative energy, wherein the electrode is located distally along the elongate body and includes a passageway fluidly connected to the lumen of the elongate body. Also, the catheter has a sensor configured to provide a signal representative of temperature, and an insulating chamber extending at least partially about the ablation electrode and configured to at least partially insulate the sensor.