Irrigated Ablation Catheter With Segmented Electrodes for Heat Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ablation catheters face challenges in efficiently delivering RF energy and irrigation fluid to targeted tissue while maintaining temperature control and preventing tissue overheating and blood coagulation, particularly in closed and open ablation catheters.
Innovation Solution
The design of an irrigated catheter with multiple segmented ablation electrodes spaced by electrically nonconductive segments, featuring elution holes and ducts for fluid communication, and temperature sensors for precise energy control, allowing for simultaneous or sequential energy delivery and irrigation to enhance ablation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If RF energy is delivered to create sufficient heat to damage targeted tissue, then ablation effectiveness is improved, but tissue and electrode overheating occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The ablation electrode is divided into multiple segmented electrodes spaced along the catheter shaft. This segmentation allows distributed RF energy delivery across multiple contact points, preventing concentration of heat at a single location and reducing the risk of overheating while maintaining effective ablation at each segment
Solution Approach 2:
Irrigation fluid is introduced as an intermediary substance between the ablation electrode and targeted tissue. The fluid absorbs excess heat through convection and conduction, cooling both the electrode and surrounding tissue, thereby preventing overheating while allowing continuous RF energy delivery
2Temperature
If irrigation fluid is supplied to cool the ablation electrode and prevent overheating, then temperature control is improved, but blood coagulation occurs due to dilution
Solution Approach 1:
Irrigation fluid is delivered through holes positioned at specific locations along the catheter shaft, creating localized cooling zones immediately adjacent to each segmented electrode. This targeted approach cools only the necessary areas while minimizing widespread dilution of blood, thereby reducing coagulation risk
Solution Approach 2:
The irrigation system operates continuously during RF energy delivery, maintaining constant cooling of the electrode and surrounding tissue. This continuous fluid flow prevents temperature buildup and associated complications while managing blood coagulation through controlled, steady-state dilution
3Productivity
If multiple segmented ablation electrodes are used to improve ablation control and efficiency, then ablation precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter shaft serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, acts as a conduit for irrigation fluid delivery, and serves as the mounting structure for multiple segmented electrodes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing device complexity while enabling multiple ablation segments
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
The catheter achieves faster and more controlled tissue ablation with reduced overheating and blood coagulation risks, enabling precise denervation of vessels and nerves, such as pulmonary veins and renal arteries, by optimizing energy and fluid distribution.
Implementation Method 1
The ablation electrodes may deliver RF energy, for example, supplied from a generator, to create sufficient heat to damage the targeted tissue
Implementation Method 2
This lowers the temperature of the ablation catheter tip by bringing the outer surface of the ablation electrode in contact with the cool irrigation fluid
Implementation Method 3
and dilute the blood around the electrode to prevent blood coagulation
Data Source
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AI summary
In one embodiment, an irrigated catheter ablation apparatus comprises an elongated body having a distal end, a proximal end, and at least one fluid lumen extending longitudinally therein; and a plurality of segmented ablation electrodes on a distal portion of the elongated body. The electrodes are spaced from the proximal end and from the distal end of the elongated body by electrically nonconductive segments. The electrodes are spaced from each other longitudinally by electrically nonconductive segments. For each electrode that is longitudinally disposed next to one of the nonconductive segments, an edge is formed between an electrode end of the electrode and a nonconductive segment end of the nonconductive segment. A plurality of elution holes are disposed adjacent to the edges. A plurality of ducts establish fluid communication between the elution holes and the fluid lumen.