Medical Probe Spines for Pulmonary Vein Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ablation methods for cardiac arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, face challenges with thermal risks and anatomical limitations, particularly in pulmonary vein isolation, and require multiple reorientations of ablation catheters, increasing procedure time and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A medical probe with a distal tip featuring a spine framework that can transition between collapsed and expanded configurations, allowing for improved positioning and contact with pulmonary veins, utilizing electrodes for effective ablation without the need for repeated repositioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple reorientations of ablation catheters are performed during the procedure, then the ablation can reach different anatomical areas, but the procedure time increases and the process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The distal tip is designed with a dynamic spine framework that can transition between collapsed and expanded configurations. The spines are movable between a collapsed configuration for navigation and an expanded configuration for ablation, allowing the device to adapt to different anatomical geometries without requiring multiple catheter reorientations by the physician.
Solution Approach 2:
The distal tip is segmented into multiple spines that can independently expand and contact different portions of the pulmonary vein. This segmentation allows each spine to reach specific anatomical areas while the entire structure remains positioned in a single location, eliminating the need for repeated repositioning.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If cryoablation devices are used to reduce thermal risks, then thermal safety is improved, but the device maneuvering becomes more challenging and certain anatomical geometries cannot be reached
Solution Approach 1:
The distal tip employs a dynamic spine framework that transitions from a collapsed navigation configuration to an expanded ablation configuration. This dynamic design allows the catheter to be easily maneuvered through vasculature in the collapsed state while providing comprehensive anatomical coverage when expanded for ablation, overcoming the maneuvering limitations of rigid cryoablation devices.
3Ease of operation
If the spines are kept in a collapsed configuration during navigation, then device delivery is simplified, but electrode contact with the pulmonary vein is insufficient for effective ablation
Solution Approach 1:
The spine framework is designed to be dynamic, transitioning from a collapsed configuration during delivery and navigation to an expanded configuration during ablation. This allows the device to maintain ease of operation during delivery while ensuring reliable electrode contact with the pulmonary vein for effective ablation when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The spines are pre-configured in a collapsed state for simplified delivery through the vasculature. Once positioned at the target site, the spines are deployed into the expanded configuration to establish optimal electrode contact with the pulmonary vein, ensuring ablation effectiveness without compromising delivery simplicity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
The disclosed technology includes a distal tip of a medical probe. The distal tip includes a neck and spines that extend along a longitudinal axis. The neck extends from a proximal end of the distal tip. The spines are connected to the neck and extending from an intermediate section of the distal tip to a distal end of the distal tip. The spines are movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. In the collapsed configuration, the spines extend along the longitudinal axis. In the expanded configuration, each spine includes a curved section that bends away from the longitudinal axis and a planar section extending from the curved section to the distal end. Further, in the expanded configuration, each planar section extending along a plane that is approximately orthogonal to the longitudinal axis.