Single Catheter Mapping and Ablation System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for cardiac electrical mapping and ablation are complex, costly, and often fail to precisely locate arrhythmia sources, leading to ineffective treatment and potential tissue damage.

Innovation Solution

A single catheter system with an array of electrodes for both mapping and ablation, using radio-dense markers, X-ray imaging, and computational algorithms to accurately locate arrhythmia sources and deliver ablative energy, such as radiofrequency or electroporation, to treat cardiac arrhythmias.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate catheters are used for mapping and ablation, then functional versatility is improved, but device complexity and procedure cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional versatilityVSAvoidprocedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines mapping electrodes and ablation electrodes into a single integrated catheter device. The catheter includes both recording electrodes for electrical mapping and ablation electrodes for tissue ablation, eliminating the need for separate catheters and reducing procedural complexity while maintaining full functional versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a mapping device and an ablation device. The same catheter can perform electrical signal recording for arrhythmia source localization and subsequently deliver ablative energy to treat the identified arrhythmia source

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If conventional mapping methods are used, then procedural simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision of arrhythmia source location deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedure simplicityVSAvoidarrhythmia source location precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical/visual mapping methods with computational algorithms that process electrical signals from multiple electrodes. The system uses computer-based analysis of electrical impulse arrival times at different electrodes to precisely calculate the three-dimensional location of arrhythmia sources, significantly improving measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If precise arrhythmia source localization is achieved, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but procedure time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-localization of arrhythmia sources through automated computational algorithms that process electrical signals and calculate source locations without requiring complex manual analysis. This self-service capability achieves precise localization while reducing procedure time and complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 approach reduces procedure complexity and cost, enhances precision in locating and treating arrhythmia sources, minimizing tissue damage and recurrence rates, while allowing for both rapid and effective treatment of cardiac arrhythmias.

Implementation Method 1

recorded are signals from the electrodes which are processed to yield the times of arrival at the electrodes of an electrical impulse emanating from the arrhythmia source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

The ablation energy source in addition to delivering ablative energy to one or more ablation electrodes through the catheter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 3

The ablation energy source may generate electrical energy configured to irreversibly electroporate biological tissue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroporation:

Implementation Method 4

deployable wings of a catheter contain radio-dense markers that can be seen on an X-ray and enable an operator to determine which electrode is which

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectX-ray imaging: X-Ray

Data Source

PatentUS20230293125A1Cardiac electrical mapping and ablation

Publication Date: 2023.09.21 SIRONA MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

Improved mapping and ablation procedures and corresponding devices are provided. A variety of methods and apparatuses can be used for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias by identifying the location of an arrhythmia source and ablating that source. The methods and apparatuses can provide an improved means of electrical mapping of the heart to identify the location of the arrhythmia source and advancing an ablation electrode to that location so that it may be ablated.