Loop Catheter for Renal Nerve Denervation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional renal denervation catheters struggle to effectively destroy renal nerves without damaging the renal artery or nearby tissues, as most nerves are distributed far from the intima and existing methods can cause angiostenosis.
Innovation Solution
A catheter apparatus with a loop mechanism that curls around the renal artery to deliver energy directly to the circumferential tissue, using electrodes to convert energy into heat and denervate the tissue, thereby minimizing damage to the artery and surrounding tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional percutaneous catheters are used to destroy renal nerves from the inner side of the renal artery, then the procedure can be performed percutaneously, but the renal nerves cannot be effectively destroyed because most nerves are distributed far away from the intima
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of approaching the renal nerves from the inside of the renal artery (conventional percutaneous approach), the invention approaches the nerves from the outside by positioning the loop catheter in the aorta and allowing the loop to extend outward to contact the adventitial surface of the renal artery. This inverted approach direction enables effective contact with the renal nerves that are distributed near the adventitia rather than the intima.
Solution Approach 2:
The loop structure serves as an intermediary mechanism that bridges the gap between the aorta and the renal artery adventitia. The loop extends from the aortic lumen to contact the outer surface of the renal artery, providing a mechanical mediator that enables energy delivery to the renal nerves without requiring direct puncture of the renal artery or complex navigation to the intimal surface.
2Reliability
If conventional percutaneous catheters are used to reach the renal nerves, then the procedure can be performed, but the intima and adventitia of the renal artery are severely damaged and angiostenosis may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the energy delivery function from a percutaneous catheter that would require penetration of the renal artery wall. Instead, the loop catheter delivers energy from the aortic side, taking out the need to physically penetrate or contact the intima and media layers. This separates the energy delivery function from the structural integrity requirements of the renal artery wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The loop structure acts as an intermediary that delivers energy to the renal nerves through the adventitia without requiring direct penetration or damage to the intima and media. The loop provides a controlled interface that concentrates energy at the adventitial surface while protecting the deeper arterial layers from direct mechanical or thermal damage.
3Reliability
If a loop structure is used to curl around the renal artery and deliver energy from outside, then effective destruction of renal nerves can be achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The loop structure is designed to be dynamic rather than static - it can be deployed and configured within the aorta to adapt to the anatomical geometry of the renal artery. The loop's ability to curl around and conform to the vessel architecture provides a simple yet effective mechanism for positioning without requiring complex active control systems or multiple separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The loop is constructed as a flexible structure that can be easily deployed and positioned within the aorta. This flexibility allows the loop to conform to the natural curvature of the renal artery and maintain stable contact with the adventitial surface without requiring rigid support structures or complex positioning mechanisms.
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 allows for safer and more effective renal denervation by directly targeting the renal nerves from outside the renal artery, reducing the risk of damage and improving treatment efficacy for hypertension and other conditions.
Implementation Method 1
delivering energy to the electrode, thereby causing the electrode to convert the energy into heat energy
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a catheter including a shaft having a distal end and a loop disposed near the distal end and configured to curl around a tissue and receive, via the shaft, energy to denervate at least a portion of the tissue.