Twisting Cryoablation Expansion Element for Predictable Deflation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Cryoablation systems face challenges in efficiently ablating patient tissue while ensuring the expansion element deflates predictably for easy retraction after procedures, particularly when multiple tissue ablations are performed, as the deflation can result in unpredictable shapes complicating movement or retraction.
Innovation Solution
A cryoablation system incorporating a rotation system that twists the expansion element during deflation, utilizing a guide tube and coolant transfer tube to control coolant flow and temperature, allowing the expansion element to deflate into a predictable shape, facilitating its retraction and movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the expansion element is used for multiple tissue ablations, then the productivity is improved, but the deflation becomes unpredictable resulting in complex shapes that complicate movement or retraction
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies a twisting action to the expansion element during the deflation phase before retraction is required. This preliminary twisting action shapes the expansion element into a predictable configuration, ensuring it collapses in a controlled manner and does not become tangled or misshapen during subsequent retraction or movement to the next ablation site.
2Device complexity
If the expansion element deflates without twisting, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to unpredictable shapes complicating retraction
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a rotation mechanism that can dynamically twist the expansion element during deflation. This dynamic twisting action transforms the passive, unpredictable deflation process into an active, controlled shaping process, ensuring the expansion element adopts a predictable configuration that facilitates easy retraction and movement without requiring complex manual manipulation.
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 rotation system enables the expansion element to deflate into a predictable shape, simplifying its retraction and movement post-procedure, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of cryoablation procedures by maintaining a controlled and organized profile.
Implementation Method 1
The coolant transfer tube defines a lumen that is configured and arranged to receive and transfer coolant from a coolant source to the distal end through the coolant transfer tube
Implementation Method 2
The expansion element is configured and arranged to receive and absorb coolant from the coolant transfer tube, thereby expanding the expansion element and reducing the temperature of the expansion element to a temperature sufficiently low enough to ablate patient tissue upon contact
Implementation Method 3
The rotation system is configured and arranged to rotate the distal end of the expansion element relative to the proximal end of the expansion element by rotating the guide tube relative to the catheter
Implementation Method 4
Cryoablation systems have been used to reduce, or even eliminate, undesired electrical activity between adjacent cardiac tissues of the heart (arrhythmias)
Data Source
AI summary
A cryoablation catheter assembly includes a catheter that defines at least one coolant outtake region and receives a rotatable guide tube and a coolant transfer tube. The coolant transfer tube receives and transfers coolant from a coolant source to a distal end of the coolant transfer tube. An expansion element is coupled to a distal portion of the catheter and defines an inner expansion-element space. The inner expansion-element space is in fluid communication with the at least one coolant outtake region and the distal end of the coolant transfer tube. A distal end of the expansion element couples to the guide tube. A rotation system is coupleable to, or coupled to, a proximal end of the guide tube and rotates the distal end of the expansion element relative to the proximal end of the expansion element by rotating the guide tube relative to the catheter.