Shape-Memory Loop Catheter for Perivascular Renal Denervation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional percutaneous catheters for renal denervation struggle to effectively destroy renal nerves without damaging the renal artery or nearby tissues, often causing angiostenosis and inefficiency due to nerve distribution far from the intima.
Innovation Solution
A catheter apparatus with a loop made of a two-way shape-memory alloy film and electrodes, capable of curling around the renal artery to deliver energy for denervation, ensuring minimal tissue damage and efficient nerve destruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional percutaneous catheters are used to destroy renal nerves from the inner side of the renal artery, then the procedure can be performed percutaneously, but the renal nerves cannot be effectively destroyed because most renal nerves are distributed far away from the intima
Solution Approach 1:
The invention reverses the conventional approach by positioning electrodes on the outer side of the renal artery rather than the inner side. The catheter delivers the loop extracorporeally to wrap around the external surface of the artery, allowing direct contact with nerves distributed in the adventitia and outer media layers, thereby effectively destroying renal nerves while maintaining percutaneous access capability
2Device complexity
If conventional percutaneous catheters are used to destroy renal nerves, then the procedure can be simplified, but the intima and adventitia of the renal artery are severely damaged causing angiostenosis
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by concentrating the denervation effect precisely at the outer surface of the renal artery where the nerves are located. The loop electrodes deliver energy locally to the adventitia and outer media without penetrating through the intima, thereby destroying renal nerves while preserving the integrity of the arterial wall and avoiding angiostenosis
Solution Approach 2:
The loop structure acts as an intermediary between the energy source and the target nerves. It wraps around the renal artery and delivers energy through its outer surface to the nerves in the adventitia and outer media, serving as a mediator that achieves nerve destruction without direct contact with or damage to the intima
3Adaptability or versatility
If the loop is made of two-way shape-memory alloy to curl around the tissue, then the loop can adapt to the artery shape, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes parameter changes by employing two-way shape-memory alloy that changes its physical state in response to temperature variations. The alloy transitions between martensite phase (flexible, can be inserted) and austenite phase (rigid, maintains curled shape) based on temperature, enabling the loop to automatically conform to the renal artery's external surface without complex mechanical actuation mechanisms
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 apparatus effectively denervates renal nerves by curling tightly around the artery, reducing damage to the renal artery and nearby tissues, thus providing a safer and more efficient renal denervation procedure.
Implementation Method 1
delivering energy to the plurality of electrodes, thereby to cause the plurality of electrodes to convert the energy into heat energy
Implementation Method 2
the plurality of electrodes is made of a two-way shape-memory alloy, causing the loop to curl at a first curvature at a temperature above a first transformation temperature as the plurality of electrodes is heated to the first transformation temperature by body temperature
Implementation Method 3
causing the loop to curl at a first curvature at a temperature above a first transformation temperature as the plurality of electrodes is heated to the first transformation temperature by body temperature; causing the loop to curl at a second curvature at a temperature above a second transformation temperature as the plurality of electrodes is heated to the second transformation temperature by the heat energy
Implementation Method 4
denervating at least the portion of a tissue using the heat energy
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a catheter including a shaft having a distal end and a loop disposed near the distal end and configured to curl around a tissue and receive, via the shaft, energy to denervate at least a portion of the tissue. The loop includes: a first film capable of bending to curl around the tissue and a plurality of electrodes disposed on the first film and made of a two-way shape-memory alloy.