Non-Adjacent Bipolar Electrode Control for Catheter Ablation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tissue ablation systems using catheters with variable diameter spirals face issues of arcing and shunted current paths due to overlapping or interleaved electrodes with opposite polarities, which can lead to inefficient energy delivery and potential tissue damage.

Innovation Solution

The system employs a controller to select non-adjacent electrode pairs and apply sequential bipolar stimulation, preventing arcing by ensuring that only non-adjacent electrodes are energized at a time, thereby maintaining a high impedance path and reducing the likelihood of shorting and energy loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If adjacent electrodes with opposite polarities are used for bipolar stimulation, then energy delivery efficiency is improved, but arcing and shunted current paths occur due to electrode overlap

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy delivery efficiencyVSAvoidarcing and shunted current paths

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode array is segmented into multiple groups, with only non-adjacent electrodes energized at any given time. This segmentation prevents overlap between positive and negative electrodes, eliminating arcing while maintaining effective energy delivery through coordinated sequential activation of different electrode groups.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs periodic activation of different electrode pairs in a sequential manner. By cycling through multiple non-adjacent electrode combinations over time, the system maintains continuous effective energy delivery while preventing harmful arcing that would occur with simultaneous adjacent electrode activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Loss of energy

If non-adjacent electrodes are used for bipolar stimulation, then arcing is prevented and energy loss is reduced, but lesion depth may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy lossVSAvoidlesion depth

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the benefits of bipolar stimulation (localized energy delivery) with the safety advantages of non-adjacent electrode configuration. By combining multiple non-adjacent electrode pairs and activating them sequentially, the system achieves both reduced energy loss and sufficient lesion depth through cumulative thermal effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sequential activation of multiple non-adjacent electrode pairs ensures continuous useful action on the target tissue. Although individual electrode pairs are spaced apart, the overlapping treatment zones and continuous cycling through multiple pairs maintain uninterrupted energy delivery, achieving adequate lesion depth without arcing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Adaptability or versatility

If variable diameter spiral catheter is used, then electrode flexibility and adaptability are improved, but electrode overlap and interleaving occur depending on spiral size and orientation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode flexibilityVSAvoidelectrode overlap and interleaving

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically selects and activates non-adjacent electrode pairs based on the real-time configuration of the variable diameter spiral. As the spiral changes diameter or orientation, the controller adapts the electrode selection to maintain non-adjacent pairing, preventing overlap while preserving the flexibility benefits of the variable diameter design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 approach allows for deeper lesion creation with reduced risk of arcing and energy loss, achieving effective tissue ablation while maintaining localized energy delivery, comparable to monopolar methods in terms of lesion depth and minimizing adverse effects on surrounding tissues.

Implementation Method 1

maintaining a high impedance path and reducing the likelihood of shorting and energy loss

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Impedance: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 2

Electroporation is a non-thermal ablation technique that involves applying strong electric-fields that induce pore formation in the cellular membrane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroporation:

Implementation Method 3

a suitably configured pulse train alone may be used to cause cell destruction, for instance by causing irreversible electroporation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIrreversible Electroporation:

Data Source

PatentUS20220133403A1Systems and methods for ablation using non-adjacent bipoles

Publication Date: 2022.05.05 ST JUDE MEDICAL CARDILOGY DIV INC

AI summary

Systems and methods for ablating tissue are provided. An ablation system includes a catheter having a plurality of electrodes, and a controller coupled to the catheter. The controller is configured to select at least one pair of non-adjacent electrodes of the plurality of electrodes, and sequentially apply bipolar stimulation using the at least one selected pair of non-adjacent electrodes.