Nested Balloon Cryotherapy Catheter Targeting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cryotherapy catheters for treating atrial fibrillation often fail to precisely target tissue regions, leading to unnecessary exposure of non-targeted tissues and bodily fluids to cryogenic agents, which can result in inefficiencies and complications during procedures.

Innovation Solution

A cryotherapy system featuring a double-balloon catheter design with an inner balloon for delivering cryogenic agents and an outer balloon for insulation, where a positive pressure is maintained between the balloons to focus cryotherapy on specific tissue areas, using a pressure regulator to detect leaks and ensure precise heat transfer while protecting non-targeted tissues and fluids.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a single balloon is used to deliver cryotherapy, then the procedure is simpler, but the cryotherapy cannot be precisely targeted and non-targeted tissues are unnecessarily exposed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetargeting precisionVSAvoidcatheter structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a nested balloon configuration where an inner balloon containing the cryogenic agent is placed inside an outer balloon. This nested structure enables precise targeting by allowing the inner balloon to contact only specific tissue regions while the outer balloon provides insulation to protect non-targeted tissues from cryogenic exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter is segmented into distinct functional components: an inner balloon for cryogenic agent delivery and an outer balloon for thermal insulation. This segmentation allows independent control of cryotherapy delivery and insulation, enabling precise targeting while minimizing exposure to non-targeted tissues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Use of energy by moving object

If the balloon is in full contact with tissue, then heat transfer is maximized, but non-targeted tissues are exposed to cryogenic agents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidcryogenic exposure to non-targeted tissues

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a localized thermal environment where the inner balloon contacts only the target tissue for efficient heat transfer, while the outer balloon provides insulation in non-contact regions. This ensures high heat transfer efficiency at the target site while protecting surrounding non-targeted tissues from cryogenic exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If more cryogenic agent is used to ensure adequate cooling, then the treatment is more effective, but the exposure to non-targeted tissues increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidcryogenic agent waste and exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the cryogenic agent into a contained inner balloon, separating it from the surrounding environment. This extraction allows the cryogenic agent to be applied only where needed (at the target tissue contact point) while the outer balloon prevents dispersion and exposure to non-targeted tissues, improving both treatment effectiveness and reducing harmful exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 design allows for precise delivery of cryotherapy to targeted tissue regions, reducing the amount of cryogenic agent needed and minimizing exposure to non-targeted tissues and fluids, thereby enhancing procedural efficiency and safety.

Implementation Method 1

the inner balloon contacts a portion of the outer balloon adjacent to a desired target tissue region... extract heat from body tissue at a desired location

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat extraction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

The space between the inner balloon and outer balloon can be filled with an insulating material to thermally insulate non-targeted tissue from the cryogenic agents within the inner balloon

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

A positive pressure can be applied to and maintained in a space between the inner balloon and outer balloon

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure maintenance: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS9888953B2Nested balloon cryotherapy

Publication Date: 2018.02.13 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC

AI summary

A cryotherapy system includes a cryotherapy catheter having an inflatable balloon portion and a pressure regulator. The inflatable balloon portion includes an outer balloon and an inner balloon within the outer balloon. The inner balloon is configured to receive during a cryotherapy procedure a cryogenic agent for extracting heat from body tissue at a desired location. The inflatable balloon portion is at a distal end of the cryotherapy catheter. The pressure regulator is adapted to maintain a positive pressure between the inner balloon and the outer balloon during a cryotherapy procedure.