Multi-Strut Catheter Electrodes for Uniform Vessel Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrode systems struggle to maintain consistent contact with varying and irregularly shaped treatment areas, particularly in body vessels, leading to non-uniform delivery of high-field electric pulses.
Innovation Solution
The development of electrodes that can conform to varying and irregularly shaped treatment areas, including expandable frames and adjustable electrode configurations, allowing for the delivery of sub-microsecond pulsed electrical fields that induce apoptosis in targeted cells while minimizing damage to surrounding tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional rigid electrodes are used to deliver electric pulses, then the device structure is simple, but the electrodes cannot maintain consistent contact with varying and irregularly shaped treatment areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamically adjustable electrode structures that can change their configuration during the procedure. The electrode array can be repositioned and reconfigured to adapt to different anatomical geometries, ensuring consistent contact with irregular treatment areas while maintaining a relatively simple overall device design.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode system allows for parameter changes in electrode positioning, spacing, and orientation. By adjusting these parameters, the electrodes can maintain optimal contact with varying treatment areas, resolving the contradiction between contact consistency and structural simplicity.
2Reliability
If high-field strength electric pulses are delivered to achieve effective ablation, then the treatment efficacy is improved, but the risk of damage to surrounding non-targeted tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by delivering high-field strength electric pulses only to specific targeted regions through precisely positioned electrodes. The electric field is concentrated at the electrode-tissue interface where ablation is desired, while surrounding non-targeted tissue receives minimal or no energy exposure, thus achieving effective ablation without excessive damage to adjacent structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode array serves as an intermediary that enables selective energy delivery. By controlling the configuration and positioning of multiple electrodes, the system can direct high-field pulses to specific targets while using the electrode geometry and spacing to limit field spread to surrounding tissues.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electrodes are used to treat varying diameter areas, then the adaptability to different anatomical shapes is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of maintaining uniform contact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the electrode system into multiple discrete electrodes arranged in an array. This segmentation allows each electrode to independently adapt to local anatomical variations while collectively covering varying diameter areas. The modular nature of the segmented electrode array simplifies the overall device design compared to a single complex electrode structure.
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 electrodes effectively deliver pulsed electrical fields to treat irregularly shaped body vessels, inducing apoptosis in targeted cells without substantial thermal impact on surrounding tissue, thus addressing the challenge of uniform energy application in non-uniform anatomical structures.
Implementation Method 1
Short, high-field strength electric pulses have been described for electromanipulation of biological cells. For example, electric pulses may be used in treatment of human cells and tissue.
Implementation Method 2
The voltage induced across a cell membrane may depend on the pulse length and pulse amplitude. Pulses longer than about 1 microsecond may charge the outer cell membrane and may lead to permanent opening of pores.
Implementation Method 3
Such shorter pulses with a field strength varying in the range, for example, of 10 kV/cm to 100 kV/cm may trigger apoptosis (i.e. programmed cell death) in some or all of the cells exposed to the described field strength and pulse duration.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for providing pulsed electrical treatment (including high voltage, sub-microsecond pulsed electric energy) to tissue, including cardiac tissue. The apparatus may include deployable electrodes that conform to transitional surfaces. These apparatuses may include single or multiple tiers of wire loops forming petal-like electrodes.