Intracardiac PFA Catheter Impedance Sensing for Precise Energy Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluoroscopic imaging and catheter-based electrophysiological mapping techniques for cardiac arrhythmias are imprecise, time-consuming, and costly, and fail to accurately measure and modulate energy delivery during pulsed field ablation, leading to suboptimal treatment success rates.
Innovation Solution
An intracardiac pulse field ablation system with a catheter equipped with electrodes for injecting and sensing constant current AC signals, allowing for precise measurement and modulation of complex electrical impedance to guide ablation procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fluoroscopic imaging techniques are used for catheter navigation and positioning, then 3D location estimation can be achieved, but the process becomes imprecise, time-consuming, and requires multiple different views
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fluoroscopic imaging (optical/mechanical system) with electrical impedance sensing (electrical field system). The catheter measures complex impedance directly at the tissue interface, eliminating the need for fluoroscopic imaging and its associated time-consuming multi-view navigation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces complex impedance as an intermediary parameter that directly reflects tissue properties and catheter position. By measuring impedance changes in the near-field region, the system obtains real-time position and tissue information without requiring external fluoroscopic imaging.
2Loss of information
If fluoroscopy is used for catheter navigation, then positioning information can be obtained, but it exposes patients and health care providers to radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes fluoroscopic imaging with electrical impedance measurement. The system uses electrical fields and impedance sensing to obtain positioning and tissue information, completely eliminating radiation exposure while maintaining the ability to navigate and position the catheter accurately.
3Measurement precision
If conventional impedance-based mapping systems are used, then navigation and positioning can be achieved, but the systems become complicated, expensive, and require specialized catheters with complex external hardware
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges navigation, positioning, and tissue characterization functions into a single integrated impedance measurement system. By combining multiple measurement capabilities in one catheter without requiring complex external hardware, the system achieves accurate navigation while reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal catheter design that performs multiple functions: navigation, positioning, and tissue impedance measurement. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for specialized catheters and complex external hardware required by conventional systems.
4Power
If conventional PFA procedures are performed without accurate impedance measurement, then ablation can be delivered, but energy delivery cannot be accurately modulated and controlled, resulting in excessive or insufficient energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements real-time feedback through near-field complex impedance measurement. The system continuously monitors impedance changes during ablation and uses this information to modulate and control energy delivery, preventing both excessive and insufficient energy application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional ohmic impedance measurement with near-field complex impedance measurement. This substitution enables accurate real-time monitoring of tissue changes during ablation, providing the feedback needed for precise energy delivery control.
5Power
If conventional ohmic impedance measurement is used in PFA, then energy delivery can be monitored, but accurate modulation and control of energy is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes simple ohmic impedance measurement with complex impedance measurement in the near-field region. This substitution provides richer information about tissue properties and ablation progress, enabling more accurate energy modulation and control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses near-field complex impedance measurement as feedback to control energy delivery. By continuously monitoring changes in the near-field impedance, the system can accurately modulate power to achieve optimal ablation while avoiding excessive or insufficient energy application.
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 faster, less expensive, and more accurate mapping and navigation of ablation catheters, improving the success rate of cardiac ablation procedures by enhancing the precision of energy delivery and tissue impedance sensing.
Implementation Method 1
the first electrode being operable as a signal injection electrode configured to inject constant current AC signals into or near the patient's cardiac tissue
Implementation Method 2
the second and third electrodes being operable as recording or sensing electrodes configured and located sufficiently close to the first electrode to permit differential sensing and measurement of complex electrical impedance signals
Implementation Method 3
one or more of the plurality of electrodes are further configured to deliver PFA energy into, and to ablate, the patient's cardiac tissue
Data Source
AI summary
An intracardiac pulse field ablation (PFA) system comprising a catheter, a constant current AC signal generator, and at least one computing device, wherein the PFA catheter comprises at least a first constant AC current injection electrode, second and third sensing or recording electrodes, and a fourth ablation electrode, the PFA catheter and the electrodes thereof being configured to be operably connected to the constant current AC signal generator, and at least one computing device, the first electrode being a signal injection electrode configured to inject constant current AC signals into or near the patient's cardiac tissue, the second and third electrodes being recording or sensing electrodes configured and located sufficiently close to the first electrode to permit differential sensing and measurement of complex electrical impedance signals, including the phase and amplitude thereof, resulting from injection of the constant current AC signals into the cardiac tissue from the first electrode.