Pericardial Modification Device Using Electrocautery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for heart conditions such as diastolic heart failure with preserved ejection fraction lack effective methods for minimally invasive pericardial modification to relieve pressure on the heart without causing trauma to surrounding tissues.
Innovation Solution
Development of devices and methods for percutaneous pericardial modification procedures using dilator devices, selectively flexible sheaths, and minimally invasive shearing systems that allow for puncturing, slitting, and shearing of the pericardium with precision, using energy sources like RF and DC to electroporate and modify the pericardial tissue, reducing trauma and enabling minimally invasive techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional surgical methods are used to modify the pericardium, then effective pressure relief on the heart is achieved, but trauma to surrounding tissues including epicardium, phrenic nerves, and lungs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical surgical cutting tools with an electrocautery system that uses electrical energy to cut and seal pericardial tissue. The electrocautery blade delivers controlled electrical current through the pericardium, achieving cutting and hemostasis simultaneously while minimizing mechanical trauma to surrounding structures like the epicardium, phrenic nerves, and lungs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electrocautery blade as an intermediary tool that transfers electrical energy to the pericardial tissue. This intermediary enables precise cutting and sealing without direct mechanical contact that would cause trauma to adjacent sensitive structures. The electrical energy acts as a mediator to achieve tissue modification with minimal physical disruption.
2Loss of time
If minimally invasive techniques are used to reduce trauma, then recovery time and patient discomfort decrease, but the complexity of the procedure and device requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single electrocautery device including cutting, sealing, and coagulation capabilities. The electrocautery blade can perform all necessary pericardial modification tasks through controlled electrical energy delivery, eliminating the need for multiple separate instruments and reducing overall procedural complexity despite the advanced technology involved.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes adjustable electrical parameters (current, voltage, pulse duration) of the electrocautery system to achieve different surgical effects. By changing electrical parameters, the same device can perform cutting, sealing, or coagulation as needed, reducing the need for multiple specialized tools and simplifying the minimally invasive approach.
3Length of moving object
If percutaneous puncture is used to access the pericardium, then incision size is minimized, but precision in puncture placement becomes more critical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical puncture tools with an electrocautery system that can create controlled entry points through the skin and pericardium. The electrocautery needle delivers electrical energy to facilitate controlled tissue penetration and sealing simultaneously, reducing the need for large incisions while maintaining precision through energy-controlled tissue interaction.
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
These methods enable effective treatment of heart conditions like diastolic heart failure with reduced trauma to the epicardium, phrenic nerves, and lungs, minimizing recovery time, patient discomfort, and treatment costs by allowing for precise modification of the pericardium to relieve pressure on the heart.
Implementation Method 1
energizing the energy conductor such that at least the point emits an electrical field
Implementation Method 2
The energy source may be programmed to deliver direct current energy, radio frequency energy
Implementation Method 3
The energy source may be programmed to deliver direct current energy, radio frequency energy, cryo-energy, ultrasonic energy including multiple harmonics, direct current electroporative energy
Implementation Method 4
ultrasonic energy including multiple harmonics
Implementation Method 5
The energy source may be programmed to deliver direct current energy, radio frequency energy, cryo-energy
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods are described for the treatment of heart conditions such as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, including diastolic heart failure, by performing a pericardial modification procedure. Intraoperative test procedures for assessing the efficacy of the pericardial modification procedure are also described.