PFA Ablation Index Prediction for Catheter Lesion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing PFA ablation techniques lack a reliable method for physicians to accurately control and predict the quality of tissue ablation, particularly in terms of lesion size and depth, due to the subjective nature of force application during irreversible electroporation procedures.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that calculates and displays a predicted PFA ablation index (AI) based on contact force, pulse parameters, and tissue characteristics, allowing real-time adjustment and optimization of ablation quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If real-time calculation and display of predicted PFA ablation index is implemented, then ablation quality control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system calculates a predicted PFA ablation index in real-time based on measured contact force and displays it to the physician during the procedure. This feedback loop allows the physician to adjust contact force to achieve the desired ablation quality, directly resolving the contradiction by providing quantitative guidance for ablation control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces subjective mechanical judgment with objective electronic measurement and calculation. Instead of relying on the physician's tactile sense alone, a force sensor electronically measures contact force, and a processor calculates the predicted ablation index, substituting mechanical intuition with precise electronic measurement and computation.
2Manufacturing precision
If contact force measurement and prediction system is added, then lesion size and depth control is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-measurement of contact force through integrated force sensors and automatically calculates the predicted ablation index without requiring additional manual measurements or complex computations by the physician. The device serves itself by autonomously providing the quantitative guidance needed for precise lesion control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system calculates and displays the predicted ablation index before the actual ablation is delivered, allowing the physician to anticipate the outcome and adjust contact force in advance. This preliminary prediction enables proactive control of lesion size and depth rather than reactive adjustment after ablation.
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
Enables physicians to achieve consistent and desired ablation outcomes by providing a predicted PFA AI, facilitating precise control over lesion formation and ensuring uniformity across multiple ablation sites.
Implementation Method 1
receiving input from a force sensor on the catheter, the catheter comprising electrodes for ablating a heart of a patient
Implementation Method 2
applies, through a probe that is in contact with or in close proximity to the tissue, short pulses of a high amplitude DC signal to generate an electric field that can lead to lethal nanopores in the cell membrane
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus and computer program product, the method comprising receiving input from a force sensor on a catheter, the catheter comprising electrodes for ablating a heart of a patient, the catheter placed at a location within the heart; based at least on the received input, calculating a predicted PFA ablation index (PFA AI) of an ablation that would be caused by applying by the catheter force equal to the assessment at the location for a predetermined number of electrical pulses having predetermined magnitude and predetermined duration, wherein said calculation is in accordance with a predefined formula; and displaying the predicted PFA AI to a user of the catheter.