Irrigated Proximal Electrode Cooling for Ablation Efficacy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ablation current in medical procedures can be inefficient due to the risk of overheating and charring of tissue when a return electrode is placed proximal to an expandable distal end assembly, reducing the efficacy of the ablation process.
Innovation Solution
An irrigated proximal electrode is placed at the distal end of a deflectable element, circumferentially extending around the element with irrigation holes to prevent overheating and charring, and an irrigation tube is used to deliver fluid through these holes, while a second irrigation tube may irrigate the expandable distal end assembly, ensuring effective cooling and preventing tissue damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a return electrode is placed proximal to an expandable distal end assembly, then the ablation current can be applied, but overheating and charring of tissue occurs reducing ablation efficacy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an irrigation fluid as an intermediary substance between the proximal electrode and the tissue. This fluid mediates heat transfer by absorbing excess thermal energy through convection and conduction, preventing direct thermal damage to the tissue while allowing the ablation current to function effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydraulic principles by delivering irrigation fluid through a delivery catheter system. The fluid is pumped through tubing and delivered via a catheter tip to the treatment site, using fluid pressure and flow dynamics to ensure continuous cooling of the tissue during the ablation process.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If irrigation fluid is delivered through a catheter, then overheating is prevented, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into integrated components. The delivery catheter serves both as a conduit for irrigation fluid and as a positioning device for the ablation electrodes. The proximal electrode assembly integrates both ablation functionality and cooling channels, reducing the need for separate independent systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The irrigation fluid delivery system is designed to serve multiple purposes: cooling the tissue during ablation, flushing debris from the treatment site, and potentially delivering pharmacological agents. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate systems and simplifies the overall device architecture.
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
The solution effectively prevents overheating and charring, maintaining the efficacy of the ablation current by ensuring that the ablation energy is distributed uniformly and reducing tissue damage, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the ablation process.
Implementation Method 1
an irrigation tube is used to deliver fluid through these holes
Implementation Method 2
ensuring effective cooling and preventing tissue damage
Implementation Method 3
Heating of the tissue occurs due to its electrical resistance. The tissue is heated sufficiently to cause cellular destruction
Implementation Method 4
The pulses increase the resting transmembrane potential, so that nanopores form in the plasma membrane. When the electricity applied to the tissue is above the electric field threshold of the target tissue, the cells become permanently permeable
Data Source
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AI summary
In one embodiment, a medical system includes a catheter configured to be inserted into a body part of a living subject, and including a deflectable element having a distal end, an expandable distal end assembly disposed at the distal end of the deflectable element, and including a plurality of electrodes, and configured to expand from a collapsed form to an expanded deployed form, a proximal electrode disposed at the distal end of the deflectable element proximally to the expandable distal end assembly, and extending circumferentially around the deflectable element, and including irrigation holes through which to irrigate the body part, and an irrigation tube disposed in the deflectable element and configured to be in fluid communication with the irrigation holes of the proximal electrode.