Jacketed Renal Neuromodulation Catheter for Reduced Drug Side Effects

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Solution Overview

Problem

Chronic activation of the sympathetic nervous system, particularly in the kidneys, contributes to conditions like hypertension and renal disease, and existing pharmacological strategies have limitations such as limited efficacy and side effects.

Innovation Solution

The development of neuromodulation catheters with jacketed neuromodulation elements that deliver energy to renal nerves, using RF energy and other modalities to modulate neural function, potentially reducing sympathetic tone and treating conditions like hypertension and renal disease.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pharmacological strategies are used to treat renal sympathetic overactivity, then sympathetic tone can be reduced, but efficacy is limited and side effects occur

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveefficacyVSAvoidside effects

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces pharmacological chemical intervention with a physical/energy-based neuromodulation system. The catheter delivers electrical energy or RF energy to directly modulate renal sympathetic nerves, substituting chemical drugs with a physical field-based approach to achieve sympathetic tone reduction without pharmacological side effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an energy field (electrical or RF) as an intermediary to modulate nerve function. Instead of using chemicals that interact with receptors, the energy field serves as a mediator to directly affect neural electrical activity and modulate sympathetic outflow from the kidneys

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If pharmacological interventions are used, then sympathetic activation can be reduced, but compliance issues arise

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveefficacyVSAvoidcompliance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The neuromodulation catheter system is designed to be self-contained and autonomously deliver therapeutic energy to the renal nerves. The implantable device can operate independently to provide continuous or intermittent neuromodulation without requiring patient action, eliminating compliance issues associated with oral medication regimens

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If existing treatments are used for renal sympathetic overactivity, then some symptom relief may be achieved, but device complexity and invasiveness increase with limited efficacy

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveefficacyVSAvoidtreatment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter design integrates multiple functions into a single device: it can deliver both electrical neuromodulation energy and RF energy, provide imaging guidance, and enable bidirectional nerve stimulation. This multi-functionality allows one device to address multiple therapeutic needs and reduce overall treatment complexity compared to using separate pharmacological and procedural interventions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 catheters effectively modulate renal sympathetic nerves, offering a minimally invasive approach with reduced side effects and improved efficacy compared to pharmacological interventions.

Implementation Method 1

deliver energy to nerves at or near a treatment location within a body lumen... using RF energy and other modalities to modulate neural function

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRF energy: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS12478425B2Neuromodulation catheters having jacketed neuromodulation elements and related devices, systems, and methods

Publication Date: 2025.11.25 MEDTRONIC IRELAND MFG UNLIMITED CO

AI summary

A neuromodulation catheter in accordance with a particular embodiment includes an elongate shaft and a neuromodulation element operably connected to the shaft. The shaft includes a proximal hypotube segment at its proximal end portion and a jacket disposed around at least a portion of an outer surface of the hypotube segment. The jacket may be made at least partially of a polymer blend including polyether block amide and polysiloxane. The neuromodulation element includes a distal hypotube segment and a tubular jacket disposed around at least a portion of an outer surface of the distal hypotube segment. The jacket has reduced-diameter segments spaced apart along its longitudinal axis. The neuromodulation element further includes band electrodes respectively seated in the reduced-diameter segments and respectively forming closed loops extending circumferentially around the jacket.