Intra-cardiac Mapping via Blood Flow Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for percutaneous cardiac surgery, such as the Maze procedure for atrial fibrillation, face challenges in accurately mapping the inside of the heart chambers due to difficulties in navigating and ablating the left atrium, particularly due to scar tissue and the inability to fit practical mapping tools through a catheter of reasonable size.

Innovation Solution

An intra-cardiac mapping system using a catheter-deployed expandable net or scanning catheter that locates openings and valves based on the convective cooling effect of blood flow, allowing for both mapping and ablation procedures, employing flow sensors or a sensing mesh with heated resistive wire elements to detect temperature changes and perform ablation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If electrical activity mapping is used to map the inside of the atrium, then mapping can be performed, but it requires intimate electrical contact which is not always possible due to scar tissue and deposits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemapping accuracyVSAvoidcontact requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical contact-based mapping with optical imaging. The imaging catheter uses light sources and detectors to create visual maps of the atrial interior, eliminating the need for intimate electrical contact with the tissue. This allows mapping to proceed even when scar tissue or deposits prevent proper electrode contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If ultrasonic transducer arrays are used for mapping, then mapping information can be obtained, but such arrays will not fit through a catheter of reasonable size

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemapping capabilityVSAvoidcatheter diameter

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes ultrasonic transducers with optical components. The imaging catheter employs light-emitting fibers and optical detectors that can be miniaturized to fit within a thin catheter shaft, enabling percutaneous access while maintaining mapping functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The imaging catheter utilizes flexible optical fibers and thin-film optical components that can be bent and compressed to fit through narrow catheter pathways, allowing the device to navigate the vascular system and reach the heart chambers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of operation

If direct vision Maze procedure is performed, then the procedure can be executed, but it is difficult to perform percutaneously via catheter due to associated risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedure executionVSAvoidsafety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces direct visual inspection during ablation with real-time optical imaging guidance. The imaging catheter provides continuous visualization of the ablation catheter tip and tissue contact, enabling safe percutaneous Maze procedure execution without requiring direct line-of-sight visualization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The imaging system acts as an intermediary between the operator and the internal cardiac structures. It provides indirect visual information about catheter position and tissue interaction, enabling safe navigation and ablation delivery through the catheter without direct vision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 accurate and safe execution of the Maze procedure by effectively locating pulmonary veins and the mitral valve, allowing for precise ablation patterns without requiring intimate contact with the heart tissue, reducing the risk of damage and improving the accuracy of the procedure.

Implementation Method 1

The openings, ports and valves may be located based on the convective cooling effect of the blood flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvective cooling: Convection

Implementation Method 2

The same net or catheter can also perform the ablation procedure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 3

employing flow sensors or a sensing mesh with heated resistive wire elements to detect temperature changes and perform ablation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS11389232B2Apparatus and method for intra-cardiac mapping and ablation

Publication Date: 2022.07.19 KARDIUM

AI summary

An intra-cardiac mapping system is based on locating the ports through which blood flows in or out the heart chambers. For many procedures, such as ablation to cure atrial fibrillation, locating the pulmonary veins and the mitral valve accurately allows to perform a Maze procedure. The location of the ports and valves is based on using the convective cooling effect of the blood flow. The mapping can be performed by a catheter-deployed expandable net or a scanning catheter. The same net or catheter can also perform the ablation procedure.