Radio Frequency Ablation Catheter With Unfolding Stent for Biliary Lesions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional radio frequency ablation catheters face challenges in uniformly transferring heat to curved biliary duct lesions, causing thermal ablation in unwanted areas and insufficient treatment at the lesion site, and may struggle to pass through severe stenosis due to their diameter.

Innovation Solution

A radio frequency ablation medical device comprising a guide wire, catheter with electrodes, and a stent that unfolds to transfer heat to the lesion site, equipped with a thermal detection sensor and radio frequency generator for precise temperature control and adjustable ablation range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a conventional radio frequency ablation catheter is used, then the procedure can be performed, but heat cannot be uniformly transferred to tissues in curved biliary duct lesions and thermal ablation occurs in unwanted areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer uniformityVSAvoidthermal ablation in unwanted areas

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter is divided into multiple segments with independent temperature control capability. Each segment can be heated independently, allowing precise control over the ablation zone and preventing heat spread to unwanted areas. This segmentation enables uniform heat distribution across curved biliary duct lesions while maintaining safety margins.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different segments of the catheter are designed with different heating characteristics and temperature control parameters tailored to their specific locations and functions. The local quality of heat generation and distribution is optimized for each segment, ensuring uniform treatment of curved lesions while preventing overheating in sensitive areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If a bipolar catheter with diameter of 7Fr or 8Fr is used, then the catheter structure is compact, but the catheter cannot pass through severe stenosis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepassability through stenosisVSAvoidcatheter structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter incorporates dynamic expansion capability, allowing it to transition from a compressed state (for easy passage through stenosis) to an expanded state (for effective heat transfer at the lesion site). This dynamic structure enables the catheter to adapt to different anatomical conditions, passing through severe stenosis while maintaining treatment effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter design incorporates nested structures where components are arranged concentrically to minimize the outer diameter when compressed. This nesting allows the catheter to pass through severe stenosis in a compact form while maintaining the necessary functional elements for heat generation and transfer when deployed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Manufacturing precision

If a conventional catheter is used for curved biliary duct lesions, then the procedure can be performed, but thermal ablation is insufficient at the lesion site

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveablation precisionVSAvoidablation effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter incorporates temperature sensing elements that provide real-time feedback on heat distribution. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adjust power delivery dynamically, ensuring sufficient thermal ablation at the lesion site while preventing overheating. The feedback control enables precise ablation even in curved biliary duct geometries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter is pre-configured with heating elements and temperature sensors positioned to optimize heat delivery to the lesion site before power is applied. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when ablation begins, the heat is already directed precisely to the target area, improving both ablation precision and effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 uniform heat transfer and controlled ablation range in biliary tracts, suitable for non-vascular organs, preventing overheating and ensuring effective treatment.

Implementation Method 1

at least one electrode configured to generate heat according to an application of power

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

the stent serving to transfer heat generated by the electrode to the lesion site

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS12408975B2Radio frequency ablation medical device

Publication Date: 2025.09.09 THE ASAN FOUND

AI summary

A radio frequency ablation medical device includes a guide wire; a catheter configured to be movable to a lesion site of a tissue along the guide wire and having at least one electrode configured to generate heat according to an application of power; and a stent configured to be unfolded when protruding out of the catheter through an end portion of the catheter or recaptured in the end portion of the catheter when entering an inside of the catheter. The stent serves to transfer heat generated by the electrode to the lesion site in an unfolded state when getting out of the catheter.