Nested Ablation Catheter Assembly for Combined Tissue Treatments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatments for conditions like cardiac arrhythmias and renal denervation require separate devices for different procedures, lacking a flexible system for combined use.
Innovation Solution
An ablation catheter arrangement with a flexible design that can accommodate different configurations, combining features such as a first and second shaft with expandable structures, and a control and evaluation unit for signal generation and tissue analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate devices are used for cardiac ablation and renal denervation, then each procedure can be performed with dedicated equipment, but the overall treatment system complexity increases and flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines cardiac ablation and renal denervation functionalities into a single integrated catheter system. The catheter includes both a balloon element for cardiac ablation and electrodes for renal denervation, allowing both procedures to be performed with one device rather than requiring separate devices for each procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter is designed as a multi-functional device that can perform both cardiac ablation (via the balloon element) and renal denervation (via the electrodes). This universal design allows the same device to serve multiple therapeutic purposes, increasing adaptability while reducing the number of separate devices needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single catheter is designed to perform multiple functions, then device versatility improves, but the structural complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter employs a nested structure where the balloon element is positioned within the catheter body, and electrodes are integrated along the catheter shaft. This nesting arrangement allows multiple functional components to be housed within a single catheter structure, enabling multi-functionality while maintaining a compact and manufacturable design.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter is divided into distinct functional segments: a balloon element section for cardiac ablation and an electrode section for renal denervation. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and tested separately before final assembly, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while achieving multi-functionality.
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 flexible use of catheters for various treatments, enhancing treatment efficacy by combining cardiac ablation and renal denervation procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The first flexible outer structure is configured to assume a collapsed and an expanded state. The second flexible outer structure is configured to assume an initial state and a final state.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an ablation catheter arrangement and a device for tissue ablation. One embodiment of the ablation catheter arrangement comprises at least one inner catheter module with a first shaft and a first flexible outer structure attached to the first shaft, which is configured to assume a collapsed and an expanded state. The ablation catheter arrangement comprises an outer catheter module with a second shaft and a second flexible outer structure attached to the second shaft, which is configured to assume an initial state and a final state.The second shaft is designed to accommodate an inner catheter module of at least one inner catheter module in the second shaft such that the second flexible outer structure assumes the initial state when the first flexible outer structure is in the collapsed state, and that the second flexible outer structure assumes the final state when the first flexible outer structure is in the expanded state.