Steerable Bladder Mapping Catheter for Reliable Wall Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bladder mapping and ablation devices fail to conform to the shape of the bladder and do not maintain reliable contact with the bladder wall, leading to incomplete treatment of localized anatomical abnormalities in overactive bladder, necessitating repeated treatments and potential urinary retention.
Innovation Solution
A steerable catheter system with an expandable-collapsible framework or helically-biased wire, equipped with electrodes, that conforms to the bladder shape and maintains contact through shape memory materials and adjustable flexibility, allowing precise orientation and deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional catheters are used to deliver mapping and ablation devices, then the devices can be delivered into the bladder, but the electrodes cannot reliably contact the bladder wall due to the asymmetric shape of the bladder
Solution Approach 1:
The framework is designed to be dynamically expandable from a compressed delivery state to an expanded treatment state. The longitudinal members can transition between straight and curved configurations, allowing the device to adapt its shape dynamically to match the asymmetric bladder geometry and ensure reliable electrode contact with the bladder wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes its geometric parameters (shape, curvature, orientation) through the steerable catheter system. By adjusting the curvature of the longitudinal members and the orientation of the framework during deployment, the electrodes can be positioned to conform to the specific asymmetric shape of the patient's bladder, improving contact reliability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the framework is made rigid to maintain shape during expansion, then structural stability is improved, but the ability to conform to various bladder shapes and sizes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the longitudinal members have different flexibility characteristics. The members are designed with varying degrees of rigidity along their length, allowing certain sections to be more compliant for conforming to bladder contours while other sections maintain structural stability during expansion and positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The framework utilizes composite construction combining materials with different mechanical properties. This allows the longitudinal members to exhibit both flexibility for conforming to bladder shapes and sufficient rigidity to maintain their expanded configuration and support the electrodes in stable contact with the tissue.
3Area of stationary object
If the device is designed to treat the entire bladder with systemic approaches, then coverage is improved, but localized abnormalities are not specifically targeted leading to overtreatment
Solution Approach 1:
The framework is divided into multiple segments with individual electrodes positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows selective activation and ablation of specific electrode pairs targeting localized abnormal tissue regions, while other segments remain inactive, thereby treating only the necessary areas rather than the entire bladder.
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables localized treatment by allowing different electrodes to be independently controlled. Abnormal tissue regions can be identified through mapping functions, and ablation energy can be applied selectively to specific electrodes contacting abnormal tissue, providing precise local treatment while preserving healthy tissue elsewhere in the bladder.
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
Enables precise mapping and targeted ablation of elevated electrical activity in the bladder, reducing symptoms of overactive bladder effectively while minimizing treatment of healthy tissues.
Implementation Method 1
The framework may be formed from a shape memory material that assumes a pre-determined shape when not disposed within the lumen of the steerable catheter
Implementation Method 2
when the wire is unconstrained, a helical bias urges the wire into a series of coils that expand according to the shape of a bladder
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to the field of tissue mapping and ablation. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to expandable medical devices for identifying and treating local anatomical abnormalities within a body lumen. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods of focal treatment for overactive bladders.