Integrated Mapping Catheter for Targeted Electroporation Ablation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ablation techniques like RF and cryoablation indiscriminately damage healthy tissue, while irreversible electroporation (IRE) requires a catheter capable of both creating electro-anatomical maps and applying IRE pulse trains.
Innovation Solution
An electroporation catheter with integrated mapping and ablation electrodes that generate electric fields for targeted tissue ablation and create electro-anatomical maps using electrical signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thermal ablation techniques (RF or cryoablation) are used to destroy target tissue, then tissue ablation is achieved, but healthy surrounding tissue is also damaged or killed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the electric field effect localized to the target tissue through precise electrode positioning and configuration. The bipolar electrode arrangement creates a confined electric field between the electrodes, ensuring that irreversible electroporation occurs only in the tissue between them while sparing surrounding healthy tissue. This resolves the contradiction by achieving reliable target ablation without collateral damage to adjacent structures.
2Reliability
If separate mapping catheter and ablation catheter are used, then mapping and ablation functions are performed, but device complexity and procedural time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges mapping and ablation functions into a single catheter by integrating both mapping electrodes and bipolar ablation electrodes on the same device. This allows the operator to perform electroanatomical mapping and subsequent irreversible electroporation ablation without exchanging catheters, reducing procedural complexity and time while maintaining both功能的可靠性.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a mapping catheter and an ablation catheter. The presence of multiple electrodes configured for both signal detection (mapping) and high-voltage pulse delivery (ablation) makes the device universal, eliminating the need for separate specialized catheters and simplifying the overall procedure.
3Measurement precision
If multiple separate catheters are used for mapping and ablation, then comprehensive mapping and precise ablation are achieved, but procedural time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By combining mapping and ablation capabilities in one catheter, the procedure eliminates the time required to exchange between separate mapping and ablation catheters. The integrated design allows continuous workflow from mapping to ablation without interruption, maintaining measurement precision while significantly reducing procedural time and associated costs.
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
Enables precise tissue ablation with minimal damage to non-target tissues by generating detailed electro-anatomical maps and applying IRE pulse trains.
Implementation Method 1
one or more mapping electrodes configured to detect electrical signals of a heart
Implementation Method 2
one or more ablation electrodes configured to generate electric fields in target tissue... strong enough to kill cells through apoptosis
Data Source
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AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods for electroporation ablation. The electroporation catheter may include an electrode assembly comprising one or more ablation electrodes configured to generate electric fields proximate to target tissue in response to a plurality of electrical pulse sequences delivered in a plurality of therapy sections, and one or more mapping electrodes configured to measure cardiac electrical signals. In some embodiments, the measured electrical signals are used to create an electro-anatomical map.