Stabilizing Delivery System for Cardiac Ablation Lesions
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current catheter ablation systems for treating atrial fibrillation face challenges in accurately and efficiently positioning ablation devices within the left atrium due to stability and positioning constraints, leading to prolonged procedural times and the need for multiple point ablations rather than linear lesions.
Innovation Solution
A delivery system comprising a deployable guide system and positioning element that defines a stable operative path within the body, allowing for the accurate and efficient deployment of functional devices, such as ablation devices, without requiring further contact, enabling the creation of desired lesion patterns with minimal redeployment of the guide system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional catheter systems are used for ablation, then the ablation device can be deployed to create thermal lesions, but the positioning is unstable and requires tremendous amounts of time to create desired lesion sets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a stabilizing member as an intermediary element between the delivery catheter and the ablation catheter. This stabilizing member provides a stable platform that supports the ablation catheter during positioning and deployment, eliminating the need for the ablation catheter to independently maintain stability in the challenging left atrial environment.
2Manufacturing precision
If point ablation method is used, then the ablation device can create discrete thermal lesions, but numerous point ablations are required instead of linear lesions
Solution Approach 1:
The ablation catheter is divided into multiple independently controllable ablation elements along its length. Each element can be selectively activated to create discrete point ablations, or multiple elements can be activated simultaneously or in sequence to efficiently create continuous linear lesions, providing flexibility in lesion creation strategies.
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery system pre-positionsthe ablation catheter and stabilizing member in the left atrium before ablation begins. This preliminary positioning ensures that the ablation elements are already in their optimal locations for creating the desired lesion set, eliminating the need for repeated redeployment during the ablation procedure.
3Ease of operation
If the ablation device is remotely manipulated percutaneously, then the device can be positioned within the left atrium, but tremendous amounts of time are required for accurate positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs imaging guidance (such as fluoroscopy, echocardiography, or three-dimensional mapping systems) to replace purely mechanical manipulation for positioning. These imaging systems provide real-time visual feedback, allowing the operator to accurately position the delivery system and ablation catheter without relying solely on tactile feedback and trial-and-error mechanical manipulation.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems and methods are provided for deployment of one or more functional devices, such as therapeutic and/or diagnostic medical devices and/or positioning devices, at various locations relative to a defined operative path. The devices, systems, and methods can include a guide system and a positioning element. The guide system defines the operative path when deployed within a patient's body. The positioning element cooperates with the guide system to define one or more positions relative the defined operative path from which the one or more functional devices are deployed. The present inventions allow for the accurate and reliable placement of the one or more functional devices at the one or more positions relative the operative path. In one embodiment, the functional device is an ablation device adapted to ablate cardiac tissue for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation.