Irrigated Ablation Electrode Smooth Edges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing irrigated ablation catheters often cause tissue charring during RF ablation due to rough edges of irrigation holes, leading to undesirable edge effects and increased energy concentration.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates irrigation holes with smooth or chamfered conjunctions at the outer surface of the electrode, reducing edge effects and energy concentration by using rounded edges or chamfers, which minimize tissue charring and improve fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If irrigation holes are provided on the ablation electrode for cooling and preventing coagulation, then fluid flow efficiency is improved, but rough edges at the hole conjunctions cause energy concentration and tissue charring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies spheroidality by rounding the edges at the conjunction of irrigation holes with the outer surface of the ablation electrode. This curvature eliminates the sharp corners that cause energy concentration, thereby preventing tissue charring while preserving the cooling function of the irrigation holes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing smooth or chamfered edges specifically at the hole conjunctions where energy concentration occurs, while maintaining the overall structure and function of the irrigation holes. This localized modification addresses the charring problem without compromising the fluid flow efficiency of the entire electrode.
2Temperature
If irrigation holes are drilled through the ablation electrode, then temperature control is improved, but rough conjunction edges create impedance rise and energy concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming smooth or chamfered edges at the irrigation hole conjunctions during the manufacturing process, before the electrode is used for ablation. This preliminary smoothing prevents energy concentration and impedance rise during actual use, ensuring both temperature control and manufacturing precision are achieved.
3Device complexity
If standard irrigation holes with sharp edges are used, then device complexity is minimized, but tissue damage increases due to edge effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies spheroidality by rounding the sharp edges of irrigation holes, transforming the geometry from angular to curved. This simple geometric modification reduces device complexity while eliminating edge effects that cause tissue damage, achieving both simplicity and safety.
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 minimizes tissue charring and blood coagulation, enhancing the safety and effectiveness of RF ablation procedures by maintaining efficient fluid flow and temperature control, thereby preventing excessive tissue damage and impedance rise.
Implementation Method 1
rough edges of irrigation holes, leading to undesirable edge effects and increased energy concentration
Implementation Method 2
irrigated ablation electrode assembly... maintaining efficient fluid flow and temperature control
Implementation Method 3
RF ablation... enhancing the safety and effectiveness of RF ablation procedures
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to ablation catheter electrodes that solve in part the problem of tissue charring during radiofrequency ablation. The electrode assemblies of the invention include passageways that lead from the inner lumen of the assemblies to the surface of the assemblies, wherein the passageways have a smooth conjunction with the outer surface. These smooth conjunctions comprise rounded edges or are chamfered. In the case of rounded edges, the rounded edges can have fixed radii of about 0.002″ to about 0.008″.