Intravascular Sheath Sensing Electrodes for Nerve Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current minimal invasive intravascular medical procedures are performed without direct vision, leading to uncertainty in locating precise sites for therapeutic treatments, resulting in potential patient pain and inefficiency.

Innovation Solution

A surgical apparatus with distal and proximal sensing electrodes connected through a tubular body, allowing for the precise mapping of nerve signals within blood vessels to guide the delivery of therapeutic devices, such as ablation catheters, to targeted locations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If minimal invasive intravascular procedures are performed without direct vision or detailed location knowledge, then the procedure can be performed simpler and faster, but the precision of locating critical nerves deteriorates, resulting in patient pain and ineffective treatment

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveProcedure simplicityVSAvoidLocation precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical visualization systems (X-ray, ultrasound) with an electrical field-based sensing system. Electrical sensing electrodes detect nerve signals directly through the catheter, substituting mechanical imaging methods with electrical field detection to achieve precise nerve localization without complex imaging equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces electrical sensing electrodes as an intermediary between the physician and the critical nerve. These electrodes detect and transmit electrical signals from the nerve to the physician, serving as a mediator that provides indirect yet precise information about nerve location and activity without requiring direct visual contact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If complete renal artery ablation is performed to block the nervous system, then the therapeutic effect is ensured, but the energy consumption increases and healthy tissue is damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveTherapeutic effectVSAvoidEnergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by concentrating the ablation effect only at the specific location where critical nerves are detected through electrical sensing. Instead of uniform complete artery ablation, the therapeutic energy is localized precisely to the nerve-bearing segments, preserving healthy tissue while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring electrical signals from sensing electrodes during the procedure. The detected nerve signals provide real-time feedback about the location and activity of critical nerves, allowing the physician to adjust the ablation procedure to target only the necessary areas, thereby reducing overall energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple ablation electrodes are used in parallel for renal denervation, then the therapeutic coverage is improved, but the device complexity and procedure difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveTherapeutic coverageVSAvoidDevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by using sensing electrodes to identify and map the locations of critical nerves before performing ablation. This preliminary detection and mapping phase allows the physician to plan the ablation strategy in advance, knowing exactly where to apply therapeutic energy, thereby simplifying the overall procedure despite using multiple electrodes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary 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

Enables precise localization of therapeutic interventions, reducing energy and drug usage, minimizing patient pain and side effects by accurately targeting critical nerve areas.

Implementation Method 1

at least one distal sensing electrode provided on the tubular body adjacent a distal side of the target opening and at least one proximal sensing electrode provided on the tubular body adjacent a proximal side of the target opening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical signal detection: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentUS9844644B2Intravascular sheath with mapping capabilities to deliver therapeutic devices to a targeted location within a blood vessel

Publication Date: 2017.12.19 OSCOR INC

AI summary

A surgical apparatus is disclosed for delivering a therapeutic device to a desired location within the vasculature of a patient, which includes an elongated tubular body defining a longitudinal axis and having opposed proximal and distal end portions, the tubular body including an outer wall surrounding an interior lumen, wherein an elongated target opening is formed through the outer wall of the tubular body within the distal end portion thereof in communication with the interior lumen. At least one distal sensing electrode is provided on the tubular body adjacent a distal side of the target opening, and at least one proximal sensing electrode is provided on the tubular body adjacent a proximal side of the target opening, wherein the sensing electrodes allow placement of the target opening within the vasculature of a patient for the delivery of a therapeutic device to a desired location.