RF Ablation Catheter Helical Therapeutic Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for pulmonary hypertension are limited, and there is a need for alternative strategies beyond pharmacologic approaches to effectively manage the condition, which often leads to heart failure due to increased blood pressure in the pulmonary vasculature.
Innovation Solution
The development of radio frequency (RF) ablation catheter apparatuses for intravascular neuromodulation of nerves communicating with the pulmonary system, which includes a catheter system with energy delivery elements and a control mechanism to incapacitate or disrupt neural communication along pulmonary vessels, using techniques such as thermal heating or chemical modulation to achieve neuromodulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If pharmacologic strategies are used to treat pulmonary hypertension, then blood pressure in pulmonary vasculature is reduced, but treatment effectiveness is limited and may lead to heart failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces pharmacologic (chemical) treatment with a mechanical/physical approach using RF ablation catheters to deliver thermal energy directly to pulmonary nerve tissue. This substitution of treatment modality aims to overcome the limitations of drug-based therapy by providing a more reliable and potentially curative intervention through direct neural modulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (RF ablation catheter with energy delivery elements) that delivers thermal energy to modulate pulmonary nerves. This intermediary approach allows for precise control of neural activity without systemic pharmacologic effects, thereby improving treatment reliability while addressing pulmonary hypertension.
2Reliability
If RF ablation catheter apparatuses are used for intravascular neuromodulation, then neural communication is effectively disrupted, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter system is divided into distinct functional segments: an elongated shaft for navigation, a therapeutic assembly with energy delivery elements for neural modulation, and a mechanical decoupler for force absorption. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system manageability despite increased complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where the therapeutic assembly with energy delivery elements is positioned at the distal end of the elongated shaft, and the mechanical decoupler is integrated within the catheter system. This nesting allows compact delivery of a complex multi-functional device through intravascular routes.
3Stability of the object's composition
If therapeutic assembly is transformed from straight delivery configuration to helical treatment configuration, then stable contact with vessel wall is achieved, but mechanical force management becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic configuration where the therapeutic assembly can transform from a straight delivery state to a helical treatment state. This dynamic transformation allows the device to adapt to vessel geometry and achieve stable contact with the vessel wall while the mechanical decoupler dynamically absorbs forces generated during configuration changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical decoupler acts as an intermediary element between the shaft and therapeutic assembly, absorbing and managing the mechanical forces generated during transformation from straight to helical configuration. This intermediary component protects the system from excessive forces while enabling the stability benefits of the helical configuration.
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 provides a therapeutically beneficial reduction in symptoms of pulmonary hypertension by effectively modulating nerves, potentially offering a long-term solution to the condition without the limitations of existing treatments.
Implementation Method 1
radio frequency ('RF') ablation catheter apparatuses for intravascular modulation of nerves that communicate with the pulmonary system
Implementation Method 2
using techniques such as thermal heating or chemical modulation to achieve neuromodulation
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, and methods for the selective positioning of an intravascular neuromodulation device are disclosed herein. Such systems can include, for example, an elongated shaft and a therapeutic assembly carried by a distal portion of the elongated shaft. The therapeutic assembly is configured for delivery within a blood vessel. The therapeutic assembly can include a pre-formed shape and can be transformable between a substantially straight delivery configuration: and a treatment configuration having the pre-formed helical shape to position the therapeutic assembly in stable contact with a wall of the body vessel. The therapeutic assembly can also include a mechanical decoupler operably connected to the therapeutic assembly that is configured to absorb at least a portion of a force exerted on the therapeutic assembly by the shaft so that the therapeutic assembly maintains a generally stationary position relative to the target site.