Segmented Intracardiac Defibrillation Catheter Electrodes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional intracardiac defibrillation catheters face challenges in supplying sufficient current for defibrillation due to limited flexibility, leading to increased impedance, dielectric breakdown, and reduced effectiveness, which complicates the treatment of atrial fibrillation and poses risks of thrombus formation and secondary infarctions.

Innovation Solution

A composite electrode type intracardiac defibrillation catheter with defibrillation electrodes arranged between EP inspection electrodes, enhancing current emission through a termination effect by dividing the defibrillation electrodes and using the EP inspection electrodes for time-divided defibrillation, maintaining flexibility and reducing the risk of dielectric breakdown.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the defibrillation electrode length is increased to improve current emission, then the defibrillation effectiveness is improved, but the catheter flexibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedefibrillation effectivenessVSAvoidcatheter flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The defibrillation electrode is divided into multiple segments (first defibrillation electrode and second defibrillation electrode) separated by an insulating section. This segmentation allows the total electrode length to be distributed across multiple smaller elements, maintaining the required current emission surface area while preserving catheter flexibility between the segmented sections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter employs a composite structure combining conductive electrode materials with insulating materials (insulating section, insulating coating). This composite approach allows different sections to perform specialized functions - the conductive defibrillation electrodes provide current emission while the insulating sections maintain flexibility and prevent unwanted current paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If the defibrillation electrode surface area is increased to improve current emission, then the defibrillation effectiveness is improved, but the impedance increases causing dielectric breakdown

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurrent emissionVSAvoiddielectric breakdown

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The defibrillation electrode is segmented into multiple sections with insulating sections between them. This segmentation divides the total current path into multiple smaller impedance segments, reducing the overall impedance and preventing dielectric breakdown while maintaining sufficient current emission capability across all defibrillation electrode surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Insulating sections act as intermediaries between adjacent defibrillation electrode segments. These insulating sections prevent direct current paths between segments, allowing each segment to contribute to current emission independently while reducing the total impedance and eliminating the risk of dielectric breakdown that would occur with a single large continuous electrode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If the defibrillation electrode is made as a single continuous element to simplify structure, then the manufacturing is easier, but the flexibility and current distribution are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The defibrillation electrode is segmented into multiple sections separated by insulating sections. While this increases structural complexity compared to a single continuous element, each segment can be manufactured using standard processes and the modular design actually simplifies assembly and allows for better flexibility and current distribution along the catheter length.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 configuration allows for reliable and safe defibrillation with reduced voltage, minimizing thrombus formation and dielectric breakdown, thereby improving the catheter's flexibility and operational safety.

Implementation Method 1

enhancing current emission through a termination effect by dividing the defibrillation electrodes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTermination effect:

Implementation Method 2

a flexible catheter shaft made of an insulating member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric insulation: Dielectric

Implementation Method 3

a conductive cable connected to the electrodes and wired inside the catheter shaft

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS11565121B2Compound electrode-type intracardiac defibrillation catheter and compound electrode-type intracardiac defibrillation catheter unit

Publication Date: 2023.01.31 INTER NOVA MEDICAL CO LTD

AI summary

A composite electrode intracardiac defibrillation catheter includes a first electrode group including at least two first electrodes for detecting an electrophysiological electrical signal of a site or a cell group in a heart chamber, and a second electrode group including at least one second electrode located between an adjacent pair of the at least two first electrodes for causing an electric current by a high-voltage defibrillation electric shock for defibrillation to flow in a contact site in the heart chamber or a contact site in a vein, and a conductive length of a surface of the at least one second electrode in a longitudinal direction of the composite electrode intracardiac defibrillation catheter is longer than a conductive length of each of the at least two first electrodes.