Pulsed Field Ablation Basket with Braided Mesh Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ablation devices for treating cardiac arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, face challenges including complex procedures, risk of thermal damage, and limited precision due to the need for point-by-point ablation and difficulties in maintaining electrode distance.
Innovation Solution
A pulsed field ablation system featuring a catheter with an expandable basket assembly and braided mesh electrodes, allowing for more precise and efficient tissue ablation by generating pulsed electric fields that cause irreversible electroporation, while reducing procedural complexity and improving safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thermal ablation methods (radiofrequency or laser heating) are used to destroy target tissue, then tissue destruction is achieved, but thermal damage to surrounding tissues and risk to the patient increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of energy delivery from continuous thermal energy to pulsed electric field energy. The ablation device delivers high-voltage electric pulses (e.g., 500-5000V) with specific duration (e.g., 10-1000 microseconds) to create irreversible electroporation of cell membranes, achieving tissue ablation without thermal damage to surrounding structures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal/mechanical ablation system with an electric field-based system. Instead of using heating elements or laser beams that cause thermal damage, the invention uses controlled electric pulses to induce electroporation, fundamentally substituting the ablation mechanism to eliminate thermal harm
2Device complexity
If point-by-point ablation is performed with a single electrode to treat the target treatment site, then ablation can be performed with a simple device structure, but the procedure duration and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single electrode into multiple electrodes arranged in a basket configuration with several struts, each containing electrodes. This allows simultaneous ablation at multiple locations along the target tissue, reducing procedure time while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular electrode segments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-point (0D) or linear (1D) electrode arrangement to a three-dimensional basket structure with electrodes distributed across multiple struts in radial arrangement. This dimensional expansion enables simultaneous multi-point ablation, treating the target treatment site more efficiently without proportionally increasing device complexity
3Loss of time
If multiple electrodes are placed on a catheter terminal in a basket structure to enable multi-point ablation, then procedure time is reduced, but maintaining stable electrode distances and proper positioning becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic basket structure that can be deployed and configured within the target treatment site. The struts are designed to expand into a predetermined three-dimensional configuration that naturally maintains stable electrode distances, combining the benefits of multi-point ablation with geometric stability to reduce repositioning needs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the geometric parameters of the basket structure, including strut length, angle, and electrode spacing, to achieve stable electrode distances in the deployed configuration. By carefully designing these parameters, the device maintains consistent electrode-to-tissue and electrode-to-electrode distances, improving manufacturing precision without sacrificing the time-saving multi-point ablation capability
4Productivity
If the catheter distal tip is deployed into a specific shape near the target treatment site to use multiple electrodes, then more than one electrode can be used for therapy, but proper positioning and manipulation become very difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the catheter into a manageable shaft and a segmented basket structure with multiple struts. Each strut can be independently positioned and configured, making the overall device easier to manipulate and position correctly at the target treatment site while still enabling multi-electrode therapy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a deployable basket structure that transitions from a compact delivery configuration to an expanded treatment configuration. This dynamic transformation allows the catheter to be easily navigated to the target site in a compact form and then deployed into the specific shape needed for multi-electrode ablation, improving ease of operation without sacrificing ablation efficiency
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
The system enables gentler and safer ablation with reduced procedure time and complexity, achieving enhanced quality and reliability of the ablation process by maintaining stable electrode distances and optimizing electric field distribution.
Implementation Method 1
one of the main principles of the ablation may be an irreversible electroporation of cell membranes
Data Source
AI summary
An ablation device and method for pulsed field ablation, the device comprising a catheter including an expandable basket, a set of electrodes formed on the expandable basket, and a pulse generator suitable for generating electric pulses wherein the pulse generator being in electrical connection with the set of electrodes. The expandable basket is formed of a braided mesh of filaments, wherein the filaments are made of nonconductive material, wherein at least portion of the filaments comprises a lumen, wherein the filaments further include electrodes and conductive wires. The conductive wires at least partially lead inside of the lumen of the filaments and are electrically connected to the electrodes.