Self-Navigated Ablation Catheter with Everted Branch Electrode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current catheter-based treatments for atrial fibrillation are often complex, time-consuming, and have a modest success rate due to challenges in accurate catheter placement and monitoring, leading to suboptimal ablation of AF targets and increased procedural time and cost.
Innovation Solution
Development of self-navigated, steerable ablation catheters with variably deflectable tips and integrated sensors for precise RF ablation, capable of producing contiguous ablation patterns and equipped with force feedback and rotation sensors for improved accuracy and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional catheter-based ablation is used for atrial fibrillation, then the procedure can be performed with existing technology, but the procedure time is prolonged and success rate is limited due to complexity in catheter placement and monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The ablation catheter incorporates self-navigating capabilities with integrated sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers) that automatically determine catheter position and orientation without requiring complex external monitoring systems. The catheter autonomously guides itself to the target pulmonary vein ostium and maintains stable positioning, eliminating the need for operator-manipulated navigation and reducing procedural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical navigation and positioning with sensor-based automated guidance systems. Instead of relying on operator skill and complex mechanical manipulation, the catheter uses embedded sensors to detect position, orientation, and movement, substituting mechanical complexity with electronic sensing and automated control.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional ablation catheters are used, then basic ablation function is provided, but accuracy of ablation target identification and contiguous ablation pattern creation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The ablation catheter incorporates force feedback sensors that detect contact forces between the catheter tip and tissue in real-time. This feedback mechanism allows the catheter to automatically adjust its positioning and maintain optimal contact pressure, ensuring accurate ablation pattern creation without requiring complex manual control. The feedback system continuously monitors and corrects positioning errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter features a dynamically adjustable tip that can be independently deflected and rotated to optimize positioning against the pulmonary vein ostium. The tip's degrees of freedom allow it to adapt to varying anatomical geometries while maintaining stable contact, improving ablation precision without increasing operational complexity.
3Reliability
If multiple catheters are used for ablation procedure, then comprehensive ablation coverage can be achieved, but procedural risks and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ablation catheter integrates multiple functions into a single device: navigation, positioning, sensing, and ablation delivery. The single catheter performs what previously required multiple separate catheters, reducing procedural risks while maintaining comprehensive ablation coverage. The integrated design eliminates the need for multiple device insertions and reduces overall procedural complexity.
4Measurement precision
If complex navigation systems are implemented, then catheter placement accuracy improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter incorporates self-navigating capabilities with integrated sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers) that automatically determine catheter position and orientation without requiring complex external monitoring systems. The catheter autonomously guides itself to the target pulmonary vein ostium and maintains stable positioning, eliminating the need for operator-manipulated navigation and reducing procedural complexity.
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 self-navigated ablation catheters significantly enhance the accuracy and speed of cardiac ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation, reducing procedure time and costs while maintaining essential features like irrigation and point-by-point pressure application.
Implementation Method 1
The ablation may be configured for one or more of the delivery of RF energy, thermal heating
Implementation Method 2
Ablation catheter apparatuses herein may include the full features, including irrigation
Data Source
AI summary
An ablation catheter comprises an elongate catheter body and a branch electrode element. The elongate catheter body has a central axis, a distal end, and a proximal end. The elongate catheter body is configured to be steered within a heart chamber. The branch electrode element has a base end and a working end or tip. The base end is secured to the elongate catheter body at a location spaced proximally of the distal end and an effector on the working end. The branch electrode element is configured to evert when the distal end of the elongate catheter body is in a pulmonary vein ostium or os so that the effector can be selectively engaged against locations surrounding the pulmonary vein os which differ in radial direction and distance. One or more of linear or curved ablation patterns are generated on tissue adjacent the pulmonary vein os with the effector.