Mapping Catheter Phrenic Nerve Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
During medical procedures using catheters, it is challenging to identify and monitor tissue proximity, particularly in preventing damage to non-targeted tissues like the phrenic nerve during cardiac arrhythmia treatments, such as atrial fibrillation, where ablation methods like radiofrequency or cryoablation can cause collateral damage.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that combines a mapping catheter with a treatment catheter to electrically map tissue, locate the phrenic nerve, and monitor its viability, using multiple electrodes and processing systems to generate maps and assess the proximity of the treatment element to the phrenic nerve, allowing for precise targeting and minimizing the risk of injury.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ablation methods (radiofrequency or cryoablation) are used to treat cardiac arrhythmia, then treatment efficacy is improved, but the risk of collateral damage to non-targeted tissues (such as phrenic nerve) increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary mapping of the phrenic nerve location and electrical activity before delivering ablation treatment. The mapping catheter identifies the phrenic nerve's position and characteristics in advance, allowing the treatment system to plan the ablation pathway to avoid collateral damage while maintaining treatment efficacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The mapping catheter acts as an intermediary between the treatment catheter and the phrenic nerve. It provides real-time information about the nerve's location and electrical activity, serving as a mediator that enables the treatment system to adjust its approach to avoid direct contact or damage to the phrenic nerve during ablation.
Solution Approach 3:
The system continuously monitors electrical activity and uses this feedback to real-time adjust the ablation treatment. By monitoring changes in electrical signals during the procedure, the system can detect if the treatment element approaches the phrenic nerve and modify the ablation parameters or catheter position to prevent collateral damage.
2Reliability
If a mapping catheter is used to locate the phrenic nerve, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the mapping function and treatment function into an integrated platform. The mapping catheter and treatment catheter work together as a coordinated system, combining the safety benefits of phrenic nerve localization with the treatment capability in a unified approach, rather than requiring completely separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The mapping catheter is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a mapping device to locate the phrenic nerve and as a support structure for the treatment catheter. This universal design reduces overall system complexity by eliminating the need for separate dedicated mapping and treatment devices.
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
Enables precise targeting of treatment sites, reducing the risk of phrenic nerve injury by accurately mapping electrical activity and monitoring tissue responses during ablation procedures, thereby improving the safety and efficacy of cardiac arrhythmia treatments.
Implementation Method 1
electrically map tissue, locate the phrenic nerve, and monitor its viability, using multiple electrodes and processing systems to generate maps
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices are described for mapping and treating tissue during a medical procedure. In some cases, a device includes a mesh of wires with sensors coupled thereto. The device can be coupled to an expandable treatment element. The expandable treatment element can include multiple segments. The sensors can be used to map a tissue area and monitor the tissue during a medical procedure.