Semi-Automated Cardiac Ablation System with Real-Time Probe Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cardiac ablation procedures are time-consuming and prone to human error due to the numerous decisions required by physicians during the ablation process, which can lead to inaccuracies and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A semi-automated ablation system that includes a probe with an electrode for applying RF power, a tracking module for location and orientation, and a processor that controls the ablation procedure based on predefined parameters, ensuring stability and computing ablation duration automatically, while providing a user interface for real-time monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a physician manually controls each ablation procedure, then the ablation can be performed with human judgment and adaptability, but the procedure becomes time-consuming and prone to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables semi-automated ablation where the processing circuitry automatically controls the ablation process based on pre-set parameters and real-time feedback from the tracking module and sensors. The system serves itself by making real-time decisions about ablation application without requiring continuous physician intervention, thereby reducing human error while maintaining procedural accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors ablation parameters, tissue response, and probe position through the tracking module and various sensors. This real-time feedback is processed by the processing circuitry to automatically adjust ablation delivery, ensuring accurate tissue modification while reducing the time physicians need to spend making manual adjustments
2Productivity
If a semi-automated system is implemented, then the ablation process is sped up and human error is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processing circuitry serves multiple functions: it controls RF power delivery, processes tracking data from the tracking module, monitors sensor inputs, computes ablation parameters, and manages the user interface. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional processing unit, the system achieves high productivity without proportionally increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines the tracking module, multiple sensors (temperature, impedance, contact force), RF generator, and user interface into an integrated ablation system controlled by a single processing circuitry. This merging of components allows automated control that speeds up the procedure while managing complexity through integration rather than separate independent systems
3Reliability
If multiple ablation sites are targeted manually, then the physician can make real-time decisions about each site, but the procedure becomes inefficient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows pre-planning of multiple ablation sites and parameters before the procedure begins. The processing circuitry stores pre-set ablation parameters for multiple sites, enabling the system to rapidly execute sequential ablations at different locations without requiring the physician to reconfigure settings between sites, thereby maintaining precision while improving efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking module continuously monitors probe position and the processing circuitry continuously controls RF power delivery across multiple ablation sites. This continuous automated control eliminates interruptions and delays between sites, maintaining precise targeting while significantly improving the efficiency of serial ablation procedures compared to manual reconfiguration between sites
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 system reduces human error and speeds up the ablation process by automating the ablation procedure, ensuring precise and efficient tissue ablation with reduced time consumption.
Implementation Method 1
the probe including an electrode configured to apply radiofrequency (RF) power to a myocardium in the chamber so as to ablate the myocardium
Data Source
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AI summary
In one embodiment, an ablation system includes a probe to be inserted into a heart and including an electrode to apply radiofrequency (RF) power so as to ablate a myocardium, an RF signal generator, a tracking module to compute a relative location and orientation of the probe, and a processor to receive a signal from at least one user input device indicating an actuation of a serial ablation procedure including performing ablations at different locations of the myocardium, and control the serial ablation procedure so that for each ablation the processor is configured to check whether the relative location and orientation of the probe are steady, automatically compute an ablation duration, automatically control the RF signal generator to generate the RF power for the computed ablation duration, and render a user interface screen including a time indicator indicating a time remaining until an end of the ablation duration.