Renal Nerve Ablation at Aortic and Vena Cava Junctions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing renal denervation procedures often require multiple ablation sites within the renal artery, increasing the risk of spasm or stenosis, and current methods do not effectively target dense nerve bundles at the junctions of renal arteries and the aorta or vena cava.
Innovation Solution
Ablation catheters are used to target specific nerve bundles at the superior junctions of renal arteries and the aorta or vena cava, utilizing RF, laser, microwave, or ultrasound energy, with stabilizing members to minimize the number of ablation sites and reduce damage to endothelial layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple ablation sites are used within the renal artery, then nerve denervation is more complete, but the risk of spasm or stenosis increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the ablation target from the renal artery lumen to the extra-luminal location at the aortic or vena cava junction. By placing the ablation catheter outside the renal artery and targeting nerves at their origin near the aorta or vena cava, the procedure achieves effective denervation while eliminating the risk of inducing spasm or stenosis within the renal artery itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the aorta or vena cava as an intermediary structure to access and ablate renal nerves. Instead of directly ablatving within the renal artery, the procedure targets nerves at their origin where they emerge from the aorta or vena cava, using these large vessels as safe access points that do not carry the same risk of spasm or stenosis.
2Reliability
If current ablation methods are used, then nerve bundles at junctions can be targeted, but the number of ablation sites must be large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple ablation targets into a single strategic location at the aortic or vena cava junction. By targeting the nerve bundles where they converge and originate from the aorta or vena cava, the procedure achieves comprehensive denervation of multiple renal nerves through ablation at one or few extra-luminal sites rather than requiring multiple separate ablations within the renal artery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal ablation target location at the aortic or vena cava junction that can effectively treat all renal nerves regardless of their specific branching patterns. This single anatomical location serves as a common target for denervating both left and right renal arteries, making the procedure more versatile and reducing the number of required ablation sites.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional ablation catheters are used, then ablation can be performed, but endothelial layer damage is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by performing ablation from the outside in rather than from the inside out. Instead of ablatving within the renal artery lumen where the catheter contacts the endothelial lining, the procedure ablates from the extra-luminal space at the aortic or vena cava junction, where nerves are accessible without contacting the renal artery endothelium, thereby eliminating endothelial damage.
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
This approach effectively denervates renal nerves with fewer ablation sites, minimizing the risk of spasm or stenosis and ensuring deep, targeted nerve ablation.
Implementation Method 1
RF (radio frequency) current is applied to the tip electrode of the ablating catheter, and current flows through the media that surrounds it, i.e., blood and tissue, toward the reference electrode. The distribution of current depends on the amount of electrode surface in contact with the tissue as compared to blood, which has a higher conductivity than the tissue. Heating of the tissue occurs due to its electrical resistance.
Implementation Method 2
Ablation catheters are used to target specific nerve bundles at the superior junctions of renal arteries and the aorta or vena cava, utilizing RF, laser, microwave, or ultrasound energy
Implementation Method 3
Ablation catheters are used to target specific nerve bundles at the superior junctions of renal arteries and the aorta or vena cava, utilizing RF, laser, microwave, or ultrasound energy
Implementation Method 4
Ablation catheters are used to target specific nerve bundles at the superior junctions of renal arteries and the aorta or vena cava, utilizing RF, laser, microwave, or ultrasound energy
Implementation Method 5
The tissue is heated sufficiently to cause cellular destruction in the cardiac tissue resulting in formation of a lesion within the cardiac tissue which is electrically non-conductive.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for the treatment of a patient for the purpose of lowering blood pressure and/or treating other medical conditions such as cardiac arrhythmias. A catheter having an ablation element is placed inside the body of a patient and is directed to a targeted location either on in the abdominal aorta where the right or left renal arteries branch from the aorta at or near the superior junction or ostia or on the inside of the inferior vena cava near the junction with the right renal vein or in the left renal vein at a position spatially near where the left renal artery branches from the abdominal aorta. Catheters designed for use in the method where these targeted locations are also disclosed and claimed.