Multi-Electrode Renal Denervation Catheter for Sympathetic Nerve Ablation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) often fail to effectively improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, with renal denervation techniques showing mixed results, particularly in reducing fasting glucose levels and systemic sympathetic activity.
Innovation Solution
A method involving multi-electrode catheter-based renal denervation (RDN) is employed, where multiple electrodes are placed within the renal arteries to release radiofrequency energy, inducing thermal alterations and reducing sympathetic nerve activity, thereby enhancing insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If renal denervation is performed using traditional single-electrode or limited-electrode techniques, then the procedure is simpler and device complexity is reduced, but the efficacy in improving insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment is divided into multiple discrete electrode application sites along the renal artery, with each electrode delivering denervation energy to a specific segment. This segmented approach allows comprehensive coverage of the renal sympathetic nervous system while maintaining manageable procedural complexity through systematic treatment of individual segments.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple electrodes are combined into a single catheter assembly that can be delivered through one vascular access point. The electrodes are positioned at different locations along the renal artery and activated in sequence or simultaneously, merging multiple treatment functions into one integrated device and procedure.
2Productivity
If multiple electrodes are used for renal denervation to improve treatment efficacy, then glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity improve significantly, but the device complexity and procedural difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: navigation through the vascular system, positioning of multiple electrodes against the renal artery wall, delivery of radiofrequency energy through each electrode, and potential adjustment of electrode positions. This multi-functional design consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate devices into one universal tool.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrodes are designed to self-adhere or self-position against the renal artery wall through mechanical expansion or magnetic attraction, reducing the need for complex manual positioning procedures. The device performs part of the positioning task automatically, easing the procedural burden on the operator.
3Reliability
If traditional renal denervation techniques are used, then the procedure is less invasive, but the reduction in systemic sympathetic activity and fasting glucose levels is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment extends from a single-point or limited-area denervation approach to a multi-dimensional coverage along the renal artery length. Multiple electrodes positioned at different axial and radial locations create a three-dimensional denervation field, comprehensively targeting the renal sympathetic nerves and producing sufficient reduction in systemic sympathetic activity and fasting glucose levels while maintaining the minimally invasive percutaneous approach.
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 method significantly decreases fasting plasma glucose and insulin levels, improves insulin sensitivity, and reduces renal noradrenaline concentrations, indicating improved glucose metabolism without adverse effects on renal function.
Implementation Method 1
releasing a therapeutically effective amount of radiofrequency energy through at least one of the multiple electrodes to nearby tissues, so as to increase the temperature of the nearby tissues and induce a thermal alteration of the nearby tissues
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method for treating diabetes, a diabetes-associated condition or disorder, or symptoms thereof suffered by a subject such as a mammal (e.g. a human patient or a pet), comprising (1) placing multiple electrodes within at least one renal artery of the subject and against blood vessel wall of the at least one renal artery; (2) adhering a surface electrode on an external surface such as skin of the subject; and (3) releasing a therapeutically effective amount of radiofrequency energy through at least one of the multiple electrodes to nearby tissues, so as to increase the temperature of the nearby tissues and induce a thermal alteration of the nearby tissues.