Segmented Cardiac Ablation Electrodes for Deep Lesion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cardiac ablation technologies face limitations in achieving deep tissue ablation while minimizing tissue heating and avoiding steam pops, particularly in treating arrhythmias at mid-myocardial or ventricular intramural sites.
Innovation Solution
The development of cardiac ablation catheters with segmented energy delivery elements and adjustable apertures, featuring a concave dome-shaped ablation electrode with insulated segments, allows for controlled electric field distribution and adjustable oculi to enhance lesion depth and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If conventional ablation catheters are used to deliver energy to cardiac tissue, then tissue ablation can be achieved, but deep tissue ablation is difficult while excessive heating and steam pops occur
Solution Approach 1:
The ablation electrode is divided into multiple independently controllable segments arranged in a concave dome configuration. This segmentation allows selective activation of specific segments to shape and control the electric field distribution, enabling deeper energy delivery to target tissues while concentrating heat locally to avoid excessive heating and steam pops in surrounding areas.
Solution Approach 2:
Different segments of the ablation electrode are assigned different electrical characteristics and activation patterns tailored to local tissue requirements. The concave dome geometry creates varied electric field strengths across different regions, allowing optimized energy delivery to deep mid-myocardial and intramural sites while protecting superficial tissues from excessive heating.
2Adaptability or versatility
If energy is delivered to achieve deep tissue ablation, then arrhythmias at mid-myocardial or ventricular intramural sites can be treated, but the risk of steam pops increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ablation electrode incorporates adjustable apertures that can be dynamically modified during the ablation procedure. This dynamic adjustment capability allows real-time optimization of energy delivery parameters adapted to the specific anatomical location and tissue characteristics, enabling treatment of challenging sites while maintaining control to prevent steam pops.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows modification of multiple parameters including aperture size, segment activation patterns, and energy delivery rates. By changing these parameters dynamically based on real-time feedback and anatomical requirements, the system can safely target deep structures like mid-myocardial and intramural sites without exceeding thermal thresholds that would cause steam pops.
3Ease of operation
If a concave dome-shaped ablation electrode with insulated segments is used, then controlled electric field distribution is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ablation electrode is divided into multiple independently controllable segments arranged in a concave dome configuration. This segmentation allows selective activation of specific segments to shape and control the electric field distribution, enabling deeper energy delivery to target tissues while concentrating heat locally to avoid excessive heating and steam pops in surrounding areas.
Solution Approach 2:
Insulating materials are strategically positioned between segments and at the catheter tip to control electric field pathways. These insulating elements act as mediators that direct energy flow to specific target zones while preventing unwanted current spread, simplifying the overall control mechanism despite the segmented structure.
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 enables deeper and more controlled tissue ablation with reduced risk of excessive heating and steam pops, allowing for effective treatment of arrhythmias at challenging anatomical locations.
Implementation Method 1
applying energy (e.g., electrical energy) to the wall. The applied energy damages tissue at the treatment site(s)
Implementation Method 2
allows for controlled electric field distribution and adjustable oculi to enhance lesion depth and safety
Data Source
AI summary
Cardiac ablation catheters, including cardiac ablation catheters with segmented energy delivery elements and/or energy delivery elements having adjustable apertures, are described herein. In one embodiment, an ablation catheter includes (i) a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end, and (ii) an ablation electrode at the distal end of the shaft. The ablation electrode can include a first conductive segment and a second conductive segment different from the first conductive segment. The first conductive segment and the second conductive segment can be arranged in a stack along a common axis, and the first conductive segment and the second conductive segment can be independently energizable. In some embodiments, the first conductive segment and the second conductive segment can be arranged in the stack such that the ablation electrode has a partial dome shape with an adjustable aperture or oculus.