Flexible Thermal Mapping Catheter for Irregular Cardiac Tissue Contact
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mapping and ablation catheters face challenges in maintaining adequate electrical contact with cardiac tissue, especially on contoured or trabeculated surfaces, due to their rigid electrodes and the erratic beating of the heart, which complicates accurate mapping and lesion formation.
Innovation Solution
A flexible thermal mapping catheter with a distal end featuring a flexible framework of heating electrodes and fluid sacs, capable of heating to specific temperatures to improve tissue contact and facilitate accurate mapping and ablation, including a method for thermal mapping and ablation that involves heating electrodes to different temperatures for mapping and ablation based on electrical patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid ring electrodes are used in conventional mapping catheters, then the catheter structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but adequate electrical contact with cardiac tissue cannot be maintained on contoured or trabeculated surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible framework structure with flexible support elements that allow the catheter tip to conform to contoured and trabeculated cardiac surfaces. This flexibility enables the electrodes to maintain adequate electrical contact with irregular tissue surfaces, resolving the contradiction between contact reliability and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible framework allows dynamic adaptation of the catheter tip shape and position in response to the beating heart and irregular tissue surfaces. This dynamic capability ensures continuous electrical contact during cardiac cycles, improving reliability without requiring complex active adjustment mechanisms.
2Reliability
If rigid tip electrode is used in conventional ablation catheters, then the electrode structure is simple, but good electrical contact with tissue cannot be maintained during erratic heart beating
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible framework with flexible support elements allows the catheter tip to dynamically track the moving cardiac tissue during erratic heart beating. This flexibility ensures continuous electrical contact without requiring complex active tracking systems or multiple electrodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible framework changes the mechanical parameter of the catheter tip from rigid to flexible, enabling it to adapt its shape and position to match the dynamic cardiac tissue motion. This parameter change allows reliable electrical contact during varying heart rates and rhythms.
3Reliability
If flexible framework with temperature-controlled electrodes is used, then contact with cardiac tissue is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible framework uses flexible support elements and flexible membranes that can be manufactured using established techniques. The modular design with separate flexible components allows for easier assembly and manufacturing compared to integrating temperature control into rigid structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter is divided into modular segments including the flexible framework, temperature-controlled electrodes, and fluid delivery components. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and tested separately, then assembled, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and enabling quality control.
4Measurement precision
If flexible framework with multiple electrodes is used, then mapping accuracy is improved, but the number of components and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions including mapping electrodes, heating electrodes, and temperature sensors are merged into a single integrated flexible framework. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components and assembly steps while maintaining high mapping accuracy through the coordinated operation of the integrated electrodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible framework serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, houses mapping electrodes for electrical signal acquisition, contains heating electrodes for thermal ablation, and accommodates temperature sensors for monitoring. This multi-functionality reduces component count while improving mapping accuracy.
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 flexible framework and temperature-controlled electrodes enhance contact with cardiac tissue, allowing for improved mapping accuracy and effective ablation, particularly in challenging anatomical conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A fluid sac can include a heater and can be configured to be filled with a fluid
Implementation Method 2
the flexible framework includes a plurality of heating electrodes and a temperature sensor
Implementation Method 3
An irrigation channel can extend through the catheter shaft and an irrigation port can be disposed at the distal end of the catheter shaft and can be in fluid communication with the irrigation channel
Data Source
AI summary
A catheter is disclosed comprising a catheter shaft including a proximal end and a distal end. A flexible framework can be connected to the distal end of the catheter shaft, wherein the flexible framework includes a plurality of heating electrodes and a temperature sensor. The plurality of heating electrodes can be configured to be heated to a first temperature, the first temperature being lower than which radio frequency ablation is performed. The plurality of heating electrodes can be configured to be heated to a second temperature, the second temperature being a temperature at which radio frequency ablation is performed.