Stretchable Electrode Assemblies for Renal Nerve Ablation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices for renal nerve ablation lack effective alternatives in design, materials, and manufacturing methods, which limits their ability to provide precise and controlled energy delivery for targeted tissue treatment without damaging neighboring nerves or organs.
Innovation Solution
A medical device with a catheter shaft and an expandable member or compliant balloon equipped with stretchable electrical pathways that change configuration from nonlinear to linear, allowing for controlled energy delivery through resistive flexible electrode assemblies, enabling precise ablation of renal nerves without exact contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If rigid electrode assemblies are used, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability to expandable member configurations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode assembly employs a flexible substrate that can conform to the expandable member's configuration. This flexible substrate allows the electrode assembly to adapt to different expanded configurations while maintaining structural integrity through its material properties and design.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode assembly is designed to dynamically change its configuration as the expandable member expands or contracts. The flexible substrate and electrical pathways are engineered to accommodate dimensional changes, transitioning from a compressed state during delivery to an expanded state during operation.
2Device complexity
If electrical pathways are arranged in nonlinear configuration during delivery, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical pathways are designed with curved or serpentine configurations in the compressed state, which naturally accommodate the folding and compression of the flexible substrate. This curved design simplifies the delivery configuration while the manufacturing process ensures precise pathway geometry is maintained through standard flexible PCB or printed circuit techniques.
3Measurement precision
If expandable member is inflated, then energy delivery precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable member is divided into multiple segments or zones with electrode assemblies distributed across different regions. This segmentation allows selective inflation of specific segments to target particular anatomical structures, improving energy delivery precision while keeping each individual segment relatively simple in design.
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
The device enables precise and controlled energy delivery for renal nerve ablation, reducing the risk of damage to surrounding tissues and allowing for effective treatment of conditions like hypertension by adjusting energy dosage and configuration for optimal therapeutic outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of electrode assemblies fixedly attached to the compliant balloon, the plurality of electrode assemblies including a plurality of stretchable electrical pathways capable of stretching when the compliant balloon shifts to the inflated configuration
Implementation Method 2
allowing for controlled energy delivery through resistive flexible electrode assemblies, enabling precise ablation of renal nerves
Data Source
AI summary
Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include a catheter shaft. An expandable balloon may be coupled to the catheter shaft. The balloon may be capable of shifting between an unexpanded configuration and an expanded configuration. Electrode assemblies with electrical pathways may be coupled to the balloon. The electrical pathways may be capable of shifting between a serpentine configuration when the balloon is unexpanded to a straighter configuration when the balloon is expanded.