Adaptable Ablation Catheter for Niche Environments
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
A semi-circular ablation catheter system designed for specialized use cases, including high-altitude, disaster relief, high-security, extreme weather, and remote or underserved areas, offering adaptable solutions for unique operational environments.
Background and Problem Solved
The original semi-circular ablation catheter patent, while effective in general medical settings, lacks adaptability for specific, narrow markets or unique operational environments. This inventive concept addresses the limitations of the original patent by providing specialized variations and niche solutions.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The adaptable ablation catheter system consists of a selectively configurable treatment array and a catheter body designed for transseptal access to a left atrium of a patient's heart. The system can be adapted for high-altitude use by adjusting the catheter body's size and dimension, ensuring effective ablation therapy in low-oxygen environments. For disaster relief scenarios, the system can be rapidly deployed and used in makeshift medical facilities. In high-security environments, the system's secure operation ensures confidentiality and data protection. The system can also be configured for extreme weather conditions, utilizing a temperature control system to maintain a stable temperature during ablation therapy. Additionally, the system can be adapted for use in remote or underserved areas, where limited infrastructure and resources are available.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce novel adaptations of the original semi-circular ablation catheter, specifically designed for specialized use cases. The inventive step lies in the system's ability to be reconfigured and adapted for unique operational environments, addressing the limitations of the original patent.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments may include variations in catheter body materials, treatment array configurations, or temperature control systems to further expand the system's adaptability. Other variations may focus on integrating the system with additional medical devices or equipment to enhance its functionality in niche environments.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The adaptable ablation catheter system has significant commercial potential in various industries, including healthcare, disaster relief, and high-security environments. The system's adaptability and versatility make it an attractive solution for medical professionals operating in unique operational environments.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61B18/1492 |
| A | A61 | A61B2017/003 |
| A | A61 | A61B2018/00351 |
| A | A61 | A61B2018/00357 |
| A | A61 | A61B2018/00375 |
| A | A61 | A61B2018/00577 |
| A | A61 | A61B2018/00642 |
| A | A61 | A61B2018/00702 |
| A | A61 | A61B2018/00726 |
| A | A61 | A61B2018/00821 |
| A | A61 | A61B2018/1407 |
| A | A61 | A61B2018/1467 |
| A | A61 | A61B2018/1807 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Medical device engineering, specifically interventional cardiology and catheter-based ablation technologies, requiring advanced knowledge of medical device design, electrophysiological procedures, and minimally invasive surgical techniques
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A biomedical engineer or interventional cardiologist with expertise in catheter design, electrophysiology, and medical device adaptations, possessing advanced degrees and 5-10 years of practical experience in medical device development
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize that the PTD's variations represent predictable adaptations of the source patent's semi-circular ablation catheter design, applying standard engineering principles of device configurability and environmental adaptation to existing medical device technologies. The disclosed modifications represent logical extensions of the original catheter's configurable treatment array concept, utilizing known medical device design strategies to address specific operational constraints. These variations would be considered routine design modifications within the standard problem-solving approach of medical device engineering.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,250 |
|---|---|
| Title | Semi-circular ablation catheter |
| Assignee(s) | Medtronic Ablation Frontiers LLC |