Flexible Ablation Catheter Electrode Spacing Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible ablation catheters can undesirably fold during procedures, leading to insufficient distance between electrodes, which may result in undesired outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a processor to calculate distances between electrodes and display traffic light symbols indicating safe or unsafe electrode spacing, preventing or allowing ablation pulses based on threshold distances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the catheter is made flexible to navigate complex anatomical structures, then the ease of operation and adaptability improve, but the risk of unwanted folding and insufficient electrode spacing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors electrode positions through position signals and provides real-time feedback via visual indicators (traffic light symbols) and audible alerts. The processor compares measured distances against predefined thresholds and immediately notifies the operator when spacing becomes insufficient, enabling corrective action before harmful effects occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes safe operating parameters in advance by defining threshold distances for electrode spacing. Before an unsafe condition develops, the system proactively warns the operator through visual and audible signals, allowing preventive correction of catheter positioning to maintain safe electrode separation.
2Reliability
If real-time monitoring and display systems are added to track electrode positions, then the safety and measurement precision improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the critical safety information (electrode spacing distances and threshold comparisons) from the complex set of position signals and presents it in a simplified visual format. The processor filters out unnecessary data and displays only the relevant spacing measurements and safety status through intuitive traffic light symbols, reducing the cognitive load on the operator.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses color-coded visual indicators (traffic light symbols with different colors) to represent different spacing conditions. This provides immediate, intuitive understanding of electrode spacing safety without requiring the operator to interpret numerical data, simplifying the display while maintaining high safety monitoring capability.
3Measurement precision
If continuous monitoring of electrode positions is implemented, then the measurement precision and safety improve, but the loss of time for data processing and display increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates and stores threshold distance values before the procedure begins. During the procedure, the processor only needs to compare real-time measured distances against these pre-established thresholds, rather than performing complex calculations, enabling rapid assessment of spacing safety with minimal processing delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex continuous calculation and analysis with simplified threshold comparison logic. Instead of continuously computing optimal spacing or performing complex safety assessments, the processor simply compares measured distances against predefined thresholds and triggers appropriate alerts, significantly reducing computational time while maintaining measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes: (i) a processor, configured to receive position signals indicative of a first position of a first electrode coupled to a catheter, and a second position of a second electrode coupled to the catheter; calculate, based on the position signals, a distance between the first and second electrodes; and produce a first indication, in response to finding that the calculated distance is larger than a first threshold, a second indication, in response to finding that the calculated distance is smaller than the first threshold and larger than a second threshold, and a third indication, in response to finding that the calculated distance is smaller than the second threshold, and (ii) a display, configured to present a first symbol, in response to receiving the first indication, a second symbol, in response to receiving the second indication, and a third symbol, in response to receiving the third indication.