Rotatable RF Ablation Catheter for Vessel-Avoiding Electrode Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiofrequency ablation catheters face issues with peripheral electrode assemblies that easily puncture blood vessels, leading to operation failures and complications, and struggle with poor positioning, resulting in unreliable ablation monitoring results.
Innovation Solution
The catheter design includes a rotatable inner catheter assembly with a peripheral electrode assembly that can be independently controlled to avoid blood vessels and achieve precise positioning by rotating and sliding the peripheral electrodes relative to the outer catheter assembly, using a handle-driven mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the peripheral electrode assembly is designed to surround the central electrode in a fixed configuration, then the ablation monitoring function is provided, but the blood vessel puncture risk increases and positioning reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The peripheral electrode assembly is designed to be rotatable relative to the outer catheter assembly, transforming a fixed configuration into a dynamic one. This allows the electrode assembly to rotate and adjust its orientation, enabling avoidance of blood vessels while maintaining contact with the tumor target for reliable ablation monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The peripheral electrode assembly is divided into multiple independently controllable peripheral electrodes arranged circumferentially. Each electrode can be independently positioned and rotated, allowing selective adjustment to avoid blood vessels while maintaining overall monitoring coverage.
2Manufacturing precision
If the peripheral electrode assembly is made expandable in a claw shape, then the contact with tumor tissue is improved, but the complexity of controlling each electrode's position increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple control functions (rotation and axial movement) are merged into a single integrated control mechanism operated by the doctor through the handle. This unified control approach simplifies the operation while achieving precise positioning of the expandable peripheral electrode assembly.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the catheter uses a fixed peripheral electrode assembly, then the device structure is simple, but the adaptability to avoid blood vessels and reach ideal positions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The peripheral electrode assembly is designed with rotational capability relative to the outer catheter assembly, adding dynamic adaptability. This allows the electrode assembly to rotate and adjust its orientation to avoid blood vessels while maintaining the overall catheter structure's relative simplicity.
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 design effectively prevents blood vessel punctures and enhances the reliability of ablation monitoring by allowing precise placement of peripheral electrodes, reducing operation risks and improving treatment outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
the inner catheter assembly is rotatable relative to the outer catheter assembly by driving the handle
Implementation Method 2
the slidable assembly comprises a plurality of slidable elements that are respectively and independently slidable in an axial direction relative to the housing
Implementation Method 3
The principle of radiofrequency ablation is to apply alternating high-frequency currents with a frequency of less than 30 MHz (usually 460-480 kHz) to cause ions in tumor tissue to oscillate at high speeds, rub each other, and convert radiofrequency energy into heat energy
Implementation Method 4
Through the peripheral electrode assembly, the conditions around the central electrode, such as temperature and/or impedance, can be obtained
Implementation Method 5
Through the peripheral electrode assembly, the conditions around the central electrode, such as temperature and/or impedance, can be obtained
Data Source
AI summary
A radio-frequency ablation catheter comprises a handle having a proximal end and a distal end, an outer tube assembly having a proximal end and a distal end, and an inner tube assembly having a proximal end and a distal end; the proximal end of the outer tube assembly is connected to the distal end of the handle; the proximal end of the inner tube assembly is connected to the distal end of the handle; the inner tube assembly can be driven by the handle to rotate relative to the outer tube assembly; the inner tube assembly comprises a branch electrode assembly, and the branch electrode assembly comprises a plurality of branch electrodes distributed at intervals in the circumferential direction. The branch electrode assembly of the radio-frequency ablation catheter and the radio-frequency ablation system can rotate relative to the outer tube assembly to avoid blood vessels.