Temperature Sensor Wall Contact Detection for Renal Denervation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices used for renal denervation procedures face challenges in accurately determining wall contact between catheter electrodes and tissue, leading to potential blood clotting and vessel closure due to inefficient energy transfer, as existing methods like impedance measurement are time-consuming and unreliable.
Innovation Solution
A medical device equipped with an evaluation unit and an electrode line featuring temperature sensors that analyze periodic fluctuations in temperature signals to quickly determine constant wall touching, allowing for timely adjustment or interruption of energy transfer to prevent blood clotting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If impedance measurement is used to determine wall contact, then the measurement can be performed, but it is time-consuming and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces impedance measurement (electrical property-based) with temperature measurement (thermal property-based) for wall contact detection. Temperature sensors directly measure the thermal state of tissue adjacent to the electrode, providing a more reliable and faster indicator of wall contact compared to impedance measurements which are influenced by multiple factors including blood flow and tissue properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from electrical impedance to temperature. By monitoring temperature changes in real-time during energy transfer, the system can quickly determine wall contact status. The temperature rise rate and absolute temperature values provide immediate feedback on contact quality without the time delays and reliability issues associated with impedance measurements.
2Reliability
If energy transfer is increased to ensure wall contact, then the therapy effectiveness improves, but the risk of blood clotting increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements real-time feedback through temperature sensors that continuously monitor the thermal state during energy transfer. The evaluation unit analyzes temperature signals to determine wall contact status, and the system automatically adjusts or interrupts energy transfer based on this feedback. This closed-loop control ensures effective therapy when wall contact is confirmed while preventing blood clotting by immediately stopping energy transfer when poor contact is detected.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the energy transfer process dynamic and adaptive rather than static. The energy transfer parameters (power, duration) are continuously adjusted based on real-time temperature measurements and wall contact assessment. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize therapy effectiveness while minimizing harmful effects by adapting to the actual tissue-contact conditions during the procedure.
3Measurement precision
If temperature rise evaluation is used to determine wall contact, then the accuracy improves, but the process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary wall contact assessment using temperature measurements before initiating full energy transfer for therapy. The evaluation unit analyzes temperature signals during brief test periods to confirm wall contact, and only then proceeds with therapeutic energy transfer. This preliminary action ensures accurate wall contact detection while minimizing the time spent on evaluation by using temperature rather than requiring prolonged impedance measurements or gradual temperature rise assessment.
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
This approach enables rapid identification of wall contact, reducing the risk of blood clotting and vessel blockages by quickly interrupting energy transfer when poor contact is detected, thus ensuring safer and more effective renal denervation procedures.
Implementation Method 1
an electrode line (14), which includes at least one temperature sensor (20)
Implementation Method 2
an evaluation unit (12), which evaluates periodic fluctuations of a signal level of the temperature signal (63)
Implementation Method 3
a energy source (30), which supplies the electrode line (14) with energy
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device including an evaluation unit and an electrode line. The electrode line includes at least one temperature sensor. The temperature sensor delivers a temperature signal to the evaluation unit. The evaluation unit evaluates periodic fluctuations of a signal level of the temperature signal and generates an evaluation output signal qualifying constant wall touching of the electrode line according to whether periodic fluctuations of a signal level of the temperature signal lie below or above a predetermined limit value.