Irrigation Manifold for Even Fluid Distribution in IRE Ablation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical devices using irreversible electroporation (IRE) for cardiac tissue ablation face challenges in ensuring even irrigation around electrodes, which is crucial to prevent thrombosis.

Innovation Solution

The development of an irrigation manifold with a housing and diverter configuration that includes a housing conduit, diverter lumen, and diverter conduits, which connect to diverter irrigation tubes to evenly distribute irrigation fluid to the end effector of the medical device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If irrigation fluid is delivered to prevent thrombosis during IRE ablation, then patient safety is improved, but uneven distribution of irrigation fluid may occur causing thrombosis risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethrombosis preventionVSAvoidirrigation fluid distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The irrigation system is segmented into multiple independent irrigation conduits (first irrigation conduit, second irrigation conduit, third irrigation conduit) that distribute fluid through separate pathways. Each conduit has its own outlet positioned at different locations around the electrodes, ensuring uniform distribution of irrigation fluid across the treatment area and preventing thrombosis through comprehensive coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions around the electrodes receive irrigation fluid through specifically positioned outlets. The first outlet is positioned at a first region, the second outlet at a second region, and the third outlet at a third region, creating locally optimized irrigation zones that ensure even fluid distribution tailored to specific anatomical areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple irrigation conduits are used to ensure even fluid distribution, then irrigation uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveirrigation fluid distribution uniformityVSAvoidirrigation manifold structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple irrigation conduits and their control mechanisms are merged into a single integrated irrigation manifold. The manifold houses all irrigation conduits, valves, and control mechanisms in one unified structure, allowing complex multi-conduit irrigation functionality to be delivered through a single implantable component rather than multiple separate devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The irrigation manifold serves multiple functions simultaneously: it distributes irrigation fluid through multiple conduits, controls fluid flow via integrated valves, positions outlets at optimal locations, and prevents thrombosis. This multi-functional design consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate components into one universal device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250099167A1Medical device with an irrigation manifold

Publication Date: 2025.03.27 BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL) LTD

AI summary

The disclosed technology includes irrigation manifold that routes irrigation fluid to an end effector for a medical device. The irrigation manifold includes a housing and a diverter that extend along a longitudinal axis and respectively connect with irrigation tubes. The end effector includes jackets that each define an irrigation conduit connecting with the irrigation manifold to allow an even distribution of irrigation fluid flow through the jackets.