Optical Feedback RF Ablator Tip With Axial Optical Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical-feedback RF ablation devices face manufacturing challenges due to the difficulty in optically isolating emission and reception optical elements within a double-walled structure, which complicates the design and limits the integration of saline irrigation, leading to mechanical instability and reduced signal-to-noise ratio.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates axially spaced and optically isolated illumination and collection optical elements within the catheter tip, using a metallic shell with opaque members to prevent light interference, and allows for separate optical fibers to transmit and receive light, enabling simultaneous or sequential emission and reception, while maintaining structural integrity and facilitating saline irrigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a double-walled structure with radially isolated optical elements is used, then optical isolation between emission and reception elements is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the optical isolation function from the structural design by using an opaque coating applied directly to the emission element, eliminating the need for a complex double-walled structure. This simplifies the device while maintaining optical isolation between emission and reception elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies optical properties locally by coating only the emission element with an opaque material, rather than requiring a complete double-walled structure. This localized approach achieves optical isolation where needed while simplifying the overall device design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple optical vias are integrated into the metallic shell, then optical functionality is enhanced, but mechanical stability of the shell deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical functionality by separating the emission element (with its opaque coating) from the reception element, allowing optical vias to be strategically placed without compromising the overall mechanical integrity of the metallic shell.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different properties to different regions: the emission element receives an opaque coating to control light emission locally, while the metallic shell maintains its structural integrity in regions where optical vias are placed, achieving a balance between optical functionality and mechanical stability.
3Volume of moving object
If optical elements are closely integrated within the tip, then device compactness is improved, but signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates due to internal reflections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts internal reflections that would cause noise by applying an opaque coating to the emission element, preventing light from reflecting off internal surfaces and entering the reception element. This maintains compactness while improving signal-to-noise ratio.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies optical control locally at the emission element through opaque coating, which prevents internal reflections in the immediate vicinity of the emission source while maintaining the compact integrated tip design. This localized optical management improves signal quality without sacrificing compactness.
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 configuration enhances the signal-to-noise ratio by minimizing internal reflections, simplifies manufacturing, and allows for effective real-time tissue ablation monitoring, providing reliable optical feedback for precise lesion detection and control.
Implementation Method 1
an illumination or excitation optical element disposed adjacent the at least one ablation element, the illumination optical element being light-transmissive to emit light from the illumination optical element to the targeted tissue region
Implementation Method 2
the collection optical element being light-transmissive to collect one or more of returned, backscattered or newly excited light from the targeted tissue region
Implementation Method 3
The illumination or excitation optical element and the collection optical element are axially spaced from one another and axially optically isolated from one another within the distal portion to substantially prevent light from traveling between the illumination optical element and the collection optical element along a path within the distal portion
Data Source
AI summary
An ablation catheter comprises an elongated catheter body; at least one ablation element disposed in a distal portion which is adjacent the distal end of the catheter body; an illumination optical element disposed in the distal portion, the illumination optical element being light-transmissive to emit light from the illumination optical element to the targeted tissue region; and a collection optical element disposed in the distal portion, the collection optical element being light-transmissive to collect one or more of returned, backscattered or newly excited light from the targeted tissue region. The illumination or excitation optical element and the collection optical element are axially spaced from one another and axially optically isolated from one another within the distal portion to substantially prevent light from traveling between the illumination optical element and the collection optical element along a path within the distal portion.