Method and apparatus for ablating the vein of marshall
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ablation techniques, such as RF and cryoablation, indiscriminately damage healthy tissue surrounding the target, posing risks to structures like the esophagus and coronary arteries.
Innovation Solution
A device with an elongated shaft and adjustable ablation electrodes that delivers pulsed electric fields, allowing precise ablation of tissue adjacent the vein of Marshall using a movable insulation sheath to control the exposed surface area and a control system for pulsed field delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If thermal ablation techniques (RF or cryoablation) are used to ablate tissue adjacent the vein of Marshall, then ablation efficacy is achieved, but collateral damage to healthy tissue occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The ablation electrode is segmented into multiple independently controllable electrode segments along its length. Each segment can be independently activated or deactivated, allowing the operator to selectively ablate only the specific tissue regions adjacent to the vein of Marshall while leaving healthy tissue intact. This segmentation enables precise spatial control over the ablation zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulation sheath provides localized protection to specific portions of the electrode, creating zones of different functionality along the electrode length. By selectively positioning the sheath, the operator can expose only the electrode segments that need to contact and ablate target tissue, while insulating segments are protected from causing collateral damage to adjacent healthy structures.
2Device complexity
If a fixed ablation electrode is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different tissue targets is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The insulation sheath is designed to be movable along the electrode shaft, transforming the electrode from a static structure to a dynamic one. The sheath can be positioned at different locations and extended or retracted to expose different lengths of the electrode, allowing the same device to adapt to various tissue targets and ablation requirements without requiring multiple fixed-electrode designs.
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
Minimizes collateral damage by selectively targeting and ablating tissue with minimal impact on non-targeted structures, enabling safer and more precise procedures.
Implementation Method 1
Pulsed field ablation involves the application of short pulsed electric fields that may reversibly irreversibly destabilize cell membranes through electropermeabilization
Data Source
AI summary
A device for ablating tissue adjacent the vein of Marshall in a patient includes an elongated shaft having a proximal portion including a proximal end and an opposite distal portion including a distal end. The distal portion includes a diameter capable of being inserted into the vein of Marshall. At least one ablation electrode is located on the distal portion of the elongated shaft. A connector is located at the proximal end of the elongated shaft. The connector is configured to removably connect to a control system for delivery of a pulsed field to the at least one ablation electrode. A movable insulation sheath surrounds the elongated shaft and is configured for adjustment of an exposed surface area of the at least one ablation electrode.