Irrigated Ablation Electrode Slit Apertures Uniform Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cardiac-procedure devices face challenges in efficiently controlling the temperature of ablation tips during procedures, leading to potential blood coagulation and collateral tissue damage due to inadequate coolant flow and uneven fluid distribution.
Innovation Solution
The development of an irrigated ablation electrode with a composite structure featuring a shell and insert, incorporating fluid passageways and slit-shaped apertures for uniform fluid distribution, reducing electrode mass, and utilizing a thin layer of water for enhanced cooling and thermal management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional irrigated ablation electrodes are used with standard coolant flow rates, then adequate cooling is provided, but fluid distribution is uneven and blood coagulation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode shell is segmented with multiple slit-shaped apertures distributed across its surface, dividing the coolant flow into multiple streams that cover the entire electrode surface area, ensuring uniform temperature distribution and preventing localized blood coagulation
Solution Approach 2:
Slit-shaped apertures are strategically positioned at specific locations on the electrode shell to target areas prone to blood coagulation, providing enhanced cooling exactly where needed while maintaining overall temperature uniformity
2Object-affected harmful factors
If higher coolant flow rates are used, then blood coagulation is reduced, but fluid consumption increases and thermal responsiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from circular apertures to slit-shaped apertures, changing the geometric dimension of the fluid exit. This dimensional change increases the surface area of coolant discharge, improving coverage and preventing blood coagulation at lower flow rates
Solution Approach 2:
The aspect ratio of the apertures is optimized to specific ranges, changing the geometric parameters to achieve optimal fluid distribution patterns that prevent blood coagulation while minimizing coolant consumption
3Speed
If electrode mass is reduced, then thermal responsiveness to tissue temperature changes improves, but structural strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode employs a composite structure combining a metal shell for structural strength with a ceramic or polymer insert for electrical insulation and thermal management. This composite construction maintains adequate strength while reducing overall mass and improving thermal responsiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode shell is designed with thin-walled construction, using minimal material thickness to reduce mass and improve thermal response speed while maintaining sufficient structural integrity through optimized geometry and support structures
4Stability of the object's composition
If slit-shaped apertures with high aspect ratio are used, then fluid distribution uniformity improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture aspect ratio is optimized to specific ranges that balance fluid distribution performance with manufacturability. These parameter optimizations ensure uniform fluid distribution while remaining achievable with standard manufacturing tolerances
Solution Approach 2:
The aperture pattern is segmented into multiple identical units distributed across the electrode surface. This segmentation allows for modular manufacturing and assembly, reducing the precision requirements for each individual aperture while maintaining overall uniformity
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 achieves lower fluid flow rates, broader temperature operating conditions, more uniform electrode temperatures, and rapid response to thermal anomalies, minimizing blood coagulation and tissue damage during procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling fluid flow through the electrode shell to cool the electrode
Implementation Method 2
The external surfaces of the electrode shell are in contact with biological tissue to be ablated, and the cooling fluid flows through the electrode shell to cool the electrode
Implementation Method 3
transmit ablative energy from the electrode into tissue to ablate the tissue
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an irrigated ablation electrode that includes a plurality of high L/d interior fluid passageways and/or slit-shaped apertures to provide for a lower rate of fluid flow and a more uniform distribution of fluid over an exterior surface of the electrode and reduce propensity for aperture blockage. In some embodiments, the slit-shaped apertures have an aspect ratio of at least three, at least five, at least ten, or at least fifteen. Some embodiments include maintaining a pressure drop of at least 345 pascals between irrigation fluid inside the irrigated ablation electrode and fluid immediately outside the electrode when the irrigation fluid has a flow rate of no more than five milliliters per minute (5 ml/min). Some embodiments include a low-density insert with a plurality of fluid channels on its exterior surface to more efficiently cool the electrode and provide a faster thermal response.