Modular Ablation Catheter for Combined RF and Pulsed Field Treatment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatments for conditions like cardiac arrhythmias and renal denervation require separate devices for different procedures, lacking a flexible system that can combine multiple treatment methods efficiently.
Innovation Solution
An ablation catheter arrangement with interchangeable inner and outer modules, allowing for different catheter types and configurations, combined with a control and evaluation unit for flexible delivery of RF and pulsed field ablation signals, enabling combined treatments like pulmonary vein isolation and renal denervation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate devices are used for different treatment methods (cardiac ablation and renal denervation), then each treatment can be performed with specialized equipment, but the overall system complexity increases and multiple devices are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines cardiac ablation and renal denervation capabilities into a single catheter system. The catheter integrates multiple functional modules including RF ablation electrodes, pulsed field ablation electrodes, and renal denervation electrodes, allowing both treatment methods to be performed with one device rather than requiring separate specialized devices
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter is designed as a universal platform that can perform multiple treatment functions. It includes interchangeable modules for different treatment types (RF ablation, pulsed field ablation, renal denervation) and can adapt to various procedural requirements, making a single device capable of replacing multiple specialized devices
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single catheter system is designed to accommodate multiple treatment methods, then device flexibility increases, but the structural complexity of the catheter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into modular segments that can be independently configured. Different functional modules (RF ablation module, pulsed field ablation module, renal denervation module) can be selectively assembled and disassembled, allowing the catheter structure to be simplified for each specific treatment while maintaining overall versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter employs a nested structure where inner catheter modules can be inserted within outer catheter modules. This allows multiple functional components to be housed within a single catheter shaft, reducing external structural complexity while maintaining the capability to deliver multiple treatment functions through a unified device
3Reliability
If RF ablation is used for renal denervation, then thermal cauterization of nerves can be achieved, but thermal damage to surrounding tissue may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides parameter control for RF ablation energy delivery, allowing optimization of power, duration, and application pattern to achieve effective nerve suppression while minimizing thermal spread to surrounding healthy tissue. The controllable parameters enable precise energy delivery tailored to the specific anatomical location and treatment requirements
4Temperature
If pulsed field ablation is used, then non-thermal tissue ablation can be achieved, but high-voltage pulse delivery requires specialized equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter integrates pulsed field ablation capability with the existing catheter structure, combining high-voltage pulse delivery electrodes with the mechanical delivery system. This integration allows specialized pulsed field functionality to be incorporated into a standard catheter platform, reducing the need for entirely separate specialized equipment
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
Facilitates combined treatments with enhanced flexibility and efficiency, reducing the need for multiple devices by allowing a single catheter system to adapt to various procedures, while minimizing thermal impact and muscle contractions.
Implementation Method 1
short high-voltage pulses and the high electrical field strengths associated therewith, which act on the tissue, have, however, already been the subject of intensive research for more than four decades. This application method is categorised as a non-thermal procedure, since it is based on the delivery of short pulses with a high voltage amplitude, which generate between active electrode pairs a locally strong electrical field in the region of up to several hundred volts per centimetre. This field strength leads to the formation of pores in the cell membranes.
Implementation Method 2
The first flexible outer structure is configured to assume a collapsed state and an expanded state. The second shaft is configured to receive an inner catheter module of the at least one inner catheter module in the second shaft in such a manner that the second flexible outer structure assumes the initial state when the first flexible outer structure is in the collapsed state, and the second flexible outer structure assumes the end state when the first flexible outer structure is in the expanded state.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an ablation catheter arrangement and to a device for the ablation of tissue. The ablation catheter arrangement includes an inner catheter module having a first shaft and a first flexible outer structure fastened to the first shaft and being configured to assume a collapsed state and an expanded state. The ablation catheter arrangement also includes an outer catheter module having a second shaft and a second flexible outer structure fastened to the second shaft and being configured to assume an initial state and an end state. The second shaft is configured to receive an inner catheter module in the second shaft so that the second flexible outer structure assumes the initial state when the first flexible outer structure is in the collapsed state, and the second flexible outer structure assumes the end state when the first flexible outer structure is in the expanded state.