Thermally Conductive Nanoparticle Mapping Elements for Flexible Catheters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cardiac arrhythmia treatment devices face challenges in maintaining flexibility at the distal portion, which is essential for precise localization and treatment, due to the stiffening effects of metallic electrodes and wires, potentially compromising the integrity of expandable elements like cryoballoons.
Innovation Solution
A medical device with a distal portion featuring thermally conductive mapping elements made of metallic nanoparticles, such as platinum-iridium, and tracings composed of different metals like gold and palladium, integrated into an elongate body to maintain flexibility and prevent distortion during treatment and mapping procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If metallic electrodes (platinum-iridium bands) are attached to the flexible member surface, then electrical mapping capability is achieved, but the flexibility of the distal portion is compromised due to stiffening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and form of the metallic electrodes from solid bands to metallic nanoparticles incorporated within the polymeric matrix. This parameter change maintains the electrical conductivity needed for mapping while eliminating the stiffening effect, allowing the distal portion to remain highly flexible
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material by incorporating metallic nanoparticles into a biocompatible polymeric matrix. This composite provides both the electrical conductivity required for mapping and the flexibility of the polymer, resolving the contradiction between measurement capability and operational flexibility
2Reliability
If electrode rings or bands are swaged on the flexible member, then electrical contact is established, but the polymeric support is compressed and flexibility is further reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the configuration of electrical contacts from external swaged bands to internally incorporated nanoparticles distributed throughout the polymeric structure. This eliminates the compression effect on the polymer while maintaining reliable electrical contact for signal acquisition
3Measurement precision
If mapping electrodes are placed on external surface of expandable element (cryoballoon), then mapping functionality is provided, but wire integrity is compromised and balloon rupture risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the form factor of mapping elements from wire-based external electrodes to nanoparticle-based integrated contacts. This eliminates the mechanical stress concentration points where wires could fail and removes the rupture risk entirely, while maintaining mapping functionality through the conductive nanoparticle network
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the problematic wire component from the design and replaces it with a wireless nanoparticle-based conductive network. This removes the source of mechanical weakness and rupture risk while preserving the essential mapping capability
4Loss of information
If numerous wires run through the flexible member to carry electrical signals, then signal transmission is enabled, but the member stiffness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical signal transmission mechanism from wire-based to nanoparticle-based conduction within the polymeric matrix. This eliminates the stiffness contribution from multiple wires while maintaining complete signal transmission capability through the distributed conductive nanoparticle network
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 solution allows for precise mapping and treatment without compromising the flexibility of the device, reducing the risk of anatomical distortion and balloon rupture, while enabling effective energy transfer and impedance measurements for lesion assessment.
Implementation Method 1
at least one mapping element, the at least one mapping element being an area of thermally conductive material having a second flexibility that is at least substantially the same as the first flexibility
Implementation Method 2
at least one mapping element being an area of thermally conductive material
Data Source
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AI summary
A device and system for providing mapping and treatment capabilities without increasing stiffness of the device. An embodiment of a device may include a flexible elongate body and at least one mapping element on the distal portion of the elongate body. Each mapping element may be an area of thermally conductive material, such as metallic nanoparticles, that is embedded within, integrated with, or deposited on the elongate body. The flexibility of the areas of thermally conductive material is at least substantially the same as that of the elongate body so the device may include many electrodes without compromising flexibility and maneuverability of the device. Alternatively, the device may include a treatment element coupled to the elongate body, such as a balloon. The mapping elements may be embedded within, integrated with, or deposited on the balloon and may have at least substantially the same flexibility as that of the balloon.