Multi-lumen Wire Isolation in Electroporation Catheters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electroporation catheters face challenges in providing sufficient electrical isolation and dielectric strength resistance between different electrical wires, which can lead to electrical breakdown and arcing, compromising the effectiveness and safety of irreversible electroporation and pulsed field ablation procedures.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a multi-lumen arrangement within the catheter shaft and variable diameter loop, where different subsets of electrical wires are housed in separate lumens, physically isolating them to prevent electrical arcing and ensure sufficient dielectric strength, along with robust insulation and tubing arrangements for additional isolation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple electrical wires are routed through a single lumen or without physical separation, then the device complexity is reduced, but electrical isolation and dielectric strength resistance between wires deteriorate, leading to electrical breakdown and arcing
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter shaft is divided into multiple lumens (first lumen, second lumen, third lumen) that are spatially separated. Electrical wires are distributed into different lumens based on their function and polarity requirements. This segmentation provides physical isolation between wires, ensuring electrical isolation and preventing arcing while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through systematic organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimensional wire routing approach to a multi-dimensional spatial arrangement by utilizing multiple lumens extending through the catheter shaft. Wires are positioned in different spatial dimensions (different lumens) rather than merely along a single path, providing enhanced electrical isolation through three-dimensional separation while maintaining organizational efficiency.
2Reliability
If electrical wires are placed in separate lumens with physical isolation, then dielectric strength and electrical isolation are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter shaft is pre-formed with multiple lumens during manufacturing, creating the isolated pathways for electrical wires before the wires are installed. This preliminary structuring of the shaft with defined lumens simplifies the subsequent wire installation process, as wires can be directly routed into their designated lumens rather than requiring complex post-assembly isolation measures.
Solution Approach 2:
Electrical wires are nested within the lumens of the catheter shaft, with each wire or group of wires housed inside its designated lumen. This nesting arrangement provides physical isolation and dielectric strength protection while organizing multiple components within a compact structure, simplifying the overall assembly by containing wires within pre-defined spatial boundaries.
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
This solution effectively prevents electrical breakdown, reduces the risk of arcing, and enhances the reliability and durability of the electroporation catheter, allowing for more accurate and consistent delivery of high-voltage pulses for effective tissue ablation.
Implementation Method 1
it is important to provide sufficient electrical isolation and dielectric strength resistance between different electrical wires routed through such catheters
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for electroporation catheters are provided herein. An electroporation catheter includes a shaft, and a variable diameter loop coupled to a distal end of the shaft, the variable diameter loop including a plurality of electrodes. The catheter further includes a plurality of electrical wires connected to the plurality of electrodes and extending through the variable diameter loop and the shaft, the plurality of electrical wires configured to energize the plurality of electrodes, and a multi-lumen arrangement extending through at least a portion of at least one of the shaft and the variable diameter loop. The multi-lumen arrangement includes a first lumen housing a first subset of the plurality of electrical wires, and a second lumen housing a second subset of the plurality of electrical wires.