Endovascular Splanchnic Nerve Ablation for Precise Lesion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current therapies for heart failure, particularly diastolic dysfunction and HFpEF, are inadequate, leading to recurrent acute decompensated heart failure episodes and significant healthcare resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
Ablation of splanchnic nerves through endovascular methods, using devices and systems to increase splanchnic capacitance, which can be performed via thermal, cryo, or chemical ablation, with energy delivery controlled to create a continuous lesion up to 20 mm long and 5 mm deep, minimizing adverse effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If endovascular ablation is performed to treat heart failure, then cardiac output is improved and recurrent admissions are reduced, but surrounding tissues and nerves may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an endovascular approach where the ablation catheter is delivered through the venous system (intermediary pathway) to reach the splanchnic nerves. This allows treatment of heart failure by ablating splanchnic nerves while avoiding direct puncture or damage to surrounding tissues, as the catheter navigates through existing vascular channels
Solution Approach 2:
The ablation energy is delivered in a highly localized manner to specific segments of the splanchnic nerves (up to 20 mm length and 5 mm depth) while leaving surrounding tissues unaffected. The controlled energy delivery creates focal lesions only at the target nerve locations within the intercostal veins
2Manufacturing precision
If ablation energy is delivered to create continuous lesions up to 20 mm long and 5 mm deep, then splanchnic nerve ablation is effective, but control precision must be maintained to minimize adverse effects
Solution Approach 1:
The ablation catheter incorporates dynamic control capabilities allowing real-time adjustment of energy delivery parameters, catheter positioning, and lesion formation. The system can dynamically control the ablation process to create continuous lesions of precise dimensions (up to 20 mm long and 5 mm deep) while monitoring and adjusting to minimize adverse effects
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs controlled changes in ablation parameters (energy level, duration, temperature) to achieve precise lesion dimensions. By systematically adjusting these parameters, the system creates consistent continuous lesions of up to 20 mm length and 5 mm depth while maintaining control precision and minimizing adverse effects
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
Effectively treats heart failure by improving cardiac output and reducing recurrent admissions, while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues and nerves.
Implementation Method 1
thermal ablation
Implementation Method 2
cryo ablation
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems, devices, and methods for transvascular ablation of target tissue are disclosed herein. The devices and methods may, in some examples, be used for splanchnic nerve ablation to increase splanchnic venous blood capacitance to treat at least one of heart failure and hypertension. For example, the devices disclosed herein may be advanced endovascularly to a target vessel in the region of a thoracic splanchnic nerve (TSN), such as a greater splanchnic nerve (GSN) or a TSN nerve root. Also disclosed are method of treating heart failure, such as HFpEF, by endovascularly ablating a thoracic splanchnic nerve to increase venous capacitance and reduce pulmonary blood pressure.