Optical Abation Catheter Lesion Depth Prediction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems and methods for tissue ablation face challenges in consistently assessing ablation results, such as identifying lesions and determining their properties through a catheter.
Innovation Solution
The use of optical systems, consoles, and catheters to acquire and analyze optical measurement data from tissues, allowing for the identification of optical properties like birefringence, polarization, and phase retardation to monitor changes and predict lesion depths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional RF ablation is performed with external electrodes and catheters, then tissue ablation can be achieved, but the ability to assess ablation results and identify lesions through the catheter is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (ablation energy delivery, optical measurement, and lesion assessment) into a single integrated catheter system. The catheter includes both ablation electrodes and optical measurement ports that can simultaneously or sequentially perform ablation and optical characterization of the treated tissue, eliminating the need for separate assessment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter is designed as a multi-functional device that can perform both ablation therapy and optical measurement/lesion identification functions. The distal section includes both electrodes for energy delivery and optical ports for measurement, allowing the single device to serve multiple purposes in the ablation procedure.
2Reliability
If optical measurement systems are integrated into the catheter, then real-time lesion monitoring and prediction can be achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into distinct functional sections: a proximal section for control and a distal section containing both the electrodes and optical measurement ports. This segmentation allows for specialized manufacturing of each section and simplifies assembly by treating the optical and electrical components as separate modules that are integrated at the distal end.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical measurement system acts as an intermediary between the ablation process and the assessment system. The optical ports provide a non-intrusive measurement interface that allows lesion characterization without requiring additional invasive sensors or complex integration of measurement electronics within the ablation catheter structure.
3Loss of information
If multiple optical ports are included in the distal section, then comprehensive optical measurement data can be acquired, but the catheter structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The optical measurement capability is concentrated in the distal section of the catheter where the optical ports are positioned to directly interface with the tissue at the ablation site. This localized placement ensures that optical measurements are obtained from the relevant tissue region without requiring optical ports throughout the entire catheter length, maintaining structural simplicity while achieving measurement completeness.
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 enables real-time monitoring of scar formation and prediction of lesion depths, improving the accuracy and consistency of tissue ablation procedures.
Implementation Method 1
optical properties, such as birefringence, polarization, and/or phase retardation of tissue
Implementation Method 2
optical properties, such as birefringence, polarization, and/or phase retardation of tissue
Implementation Method 3
For radiofrequency (RF) ablation, the application of alternating current with an oscillating frequency above several hundreds of kHz avoids the stimulation of excitable tissue while delivering heat by means of the Joule's effect
Implementation Method 4
optical properties, such as birefringence, polarization, and/or phase retardation of tissue, in order to monitor changes in the optical properties over time and predict lesion depths
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are systems and methods for performing optical signal analysis and lesion predictions in ablations. A system includes a catheter coupled to a plurality of optical fibers via a connector that interfaces with a computing device. The computing device includes a memory and a processor configured to receive optical measurement data of a portion of tissue from the catheter. The processor identifies one or more optical properties of the portion of tissue by analyzing the optical measurement data and determines a time of denaturation of the portion of tissue based on the one or more optical properties. A model is created to represent a correlation between lesion depths and ablation times using the time of denaturation, the one or more optical properties, and the predetermined period of time. A predicted lesion depth for a predetermined ablation time is generated using the model.