Non-continuous Circumferential Lesion Formation for Stenosis Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Continuous circumferential lesions in body lumens can increase the risk of acute and late stenosis formation, necessitating the development of methods and apparatus for non-continuous circumferential treatments that effectively modulate neural fibers without causing vessel damage.
Innovation Solution
The approach involves applying energy to discrete, non-continuous zones along the circumference of a body lumen using intravascular or extravascular systems, with techniques such as electrical, thermal, or mechanical energy delivery, to form overlapping treatment zones that are not continuous, thereby reducing the risk of stenosis while achieving substantial circumferential treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous circumferential lesions are formed in body lumens, then effective neural fiber modulation is achieved, but the risk of acute and late stenosis formation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous circumferential lesion is segmented into multiple discrete treatment zones arranged in a pattern around the body lumen. These zones are separated by untreated intervals, creating a non-continuous treatment pattern that maintains neural modulation effectiveness while reducing stenosis risk by preserving healthy tissue bridges between treated segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment applies energy selectively to specific discrete zones rather than uniformly across the entire circumference. Each treatment zone is localized to achieve sufficient neural fiber modulation in that region while leaving adjacent areas untreated, creating a spatially varying treatment quality that balances efficacy with safety.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If energy is applied to discrete non-continuous zones, then stenosis risk is reduced, but treatment coverage must be sufficient to achieve circumferential neuromodulation
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple discrete treatment zones are arranged circumferentially around the body lumen at different angular positions. When activated, these separate zones work together in combination to achieve substantial circumferential coverage of neural fibers, effectively merging their individual effects into a comprehensive treatment that approximates continuous circumferential modulation without forming a continuous lesion.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment transitions from a two-dimensional continuous planar lesion to a three-dimensional distributed pattern of discrete zones around the lumen circumference. By utilizing the circumferential dimension and spacing zones at different angular and longitudinal positions, the system achieves volumetric coverage of neural fibers while maintaining discrete treatment zones that reduce stenosis risk.
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 method allows for effective neuromodulation or denervation of neural fibers without forming continuous circumferential lesions, thereby reducing the risk of stenosis and ensuring adequate treatment coverage along the length of the blood vessel.
Implementation Method 1
applying energy to discrete, non-continuous zones along the circumference of a body lumen using intravascular or extravascular systems, with techniques such as electrical, thermal, or mechanical energy delivery
Implementation Method 2
applying energy to discrete, non-continuous zones along the circumference of a body lumen using intravascular or extravascular systems, with techniques such as electrical, thermal, or mechanical energy delivery
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~2D
Figure 2E~2G
AI summary
Methods and apparatus are provided for non-continuous circumferential treatment of a body lumen. Apparatus may be positioned within a body lumen of a patient and may deliver energy at a first lengthwise and angular position to create a less-than-full circumferential treatment zone at the first position. The apparatus also may deliver energy at one or more additional lengthwise and angular positions within the body lumen to create less-than-full circumferential treatment zone(s) at the one or more additional positions that are offset lengthwise and angularly from the first treatment zone. Superimposition of the first treatment zone and the one or more additional treatment zones defines a non-continuous circumferential treatment zone without formation of a continuous circumferential lesion. Various embodiments of methods and apparatus for achieving such non-continuous circumferential treatment are provided.