Nerve Probe Feedback Control for Renal Ablation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical therapies for ablating autonomic nerves proximate arteries, such as renal nerve ablation, lack feedback control mechanisms to assess the destruction of nerve activity, leading to ineffective procedures due to poor probe/tissue interface and insufficient delivery of destructive means.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a probe with electrodes capable of detecting electrical signals from the interior wall of a blood vessel, an electrical control unit (ECU) to process these signals, and a stimulation electrode to provide electrical stimuli, allowing for real-time assessment of nerve activity and comparison of elicited potentials before and after nerve destruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If destructive means are delivered to the arterial wall to abolish renal nerve activity, then hypertension can be reduced, but there is no feedback control mechanism to assess whether nerve destruction is complete
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism by inserting recording electrodes into the arterial wall to detect electrical signals from nerve fibers in real-time during the ablation procedure. The system continuously monitors nerve activity and provides feedback to the operator about the completeness of nerve destruction, allowing adjustment of the ablation procedure to achieve complete denervation.
2Ease of operation
If a catheter is introduced into the renal artery to deliver destructive means, then renal nerve ablation can be performed, but the probe/tissue interface is poor leading to insufficient delivery of destructive means
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the probe into separate functional components: a catheter for arterial access, stimulating electrodes for nerve activation, and recording electrodes for signal detection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, with recording electrodes positioned to achieve optimal tissue contact and signal quality independent of the catheter's navigational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses electrical stimulation as an intermediary to improve probe/tissue interface. By applying electrical stimuli through stimulating electrodes and detecting the resulting action potentials through recording electrodes, the system creates an active electrical connection that enhances the effectiveness of the probe/tissue interface without requiring perfect physical contact.
3Productivity
If nerve destructive means are applied empirically without feedback, then the procedure can be completed, but there is no knowledge that the desired effect has been achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback by continuously monitoring electrical signals from nerve fibers during the ablation procedure. Recording electrodes detect action potentials generated in response to stimulation, and the presence or absence of these signals provides immediate information about nerve integrity, allowing precise assessment of destruction completeness without delaying the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces empirical mechanical assessment of nerve destruction with electrical measurement. Instead of relying on mechanical indicators or post-procedure observation, the system uses electrical recording of nerve action potentials to objectively and precisely measure nerve integrity in real-time, substituting electrical detection for mechanical or empirical assessment methods.
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
Enables precise and real-time monitoring of nerve destruction completeness, improving the effectiveness of autonomic nerve ablation procedures by ensuring adequate destruction of nerve activity and optimizing the probe/tissue interface.
Implementation Method 1
an electrode capable of detecting an electrical signal in the arterial wall
Implementation Method 2
an electrical control unit in electrical communication with the probe and capable of processing the signal to determine one or more characteristics of the signal
Implementation Method 3
a stimulation electrode for providing an electrical stimulus into the interior wall of the blood vessel. The electrical stimulus can be sufficient to provoke an elicited potential in the patient's nerves
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods provide interface to a patient's autonomic nerves via an interior lumen wall of a blood vessel. Systems can include a probe having at least one electrode for receiving electrical signals from the interior of the lumen wall. The system can include processing components for extracting the signals from noise within the patient's body. Systems can include stimulation electrodes for providing stimulation and eliciting action potentials within the patient and destructive processes for destroying nervous function. The effect of nerve destruction on the propagation of action potentials can be effectively used as a feedback mechanism for determining the amount of nervous function destruction in the patient.