Basket Catheter Electrode Retainers to Prevent Spine Misalignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current catheter-based ablation methods for cardiac arrhythmias face challenges such as thermal injury risks with RF ablation and maneuverability issues with cryoablation, while existing electrode attachment methods for basket assemblies are cumbersome and prone to misalignment or failure.

Innovation Solution

A medical probe with a basket assembly featuring electrodes secured to spines using a mechanical retainer system, eliminating the need for soldering, welding, or adhesives, and ensuring stable electrode attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If soldering, welding, or adhesive bonding is used to attach electrodes to spines, then the attachment can be secure, but the manufacturing time and cost increase, and the risk of improper bonding or misalignment increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces thermal bonding methods (soldering, welding) and chemical bonding (adhesives) with a purely mechanical interlocking system. The electrode assembly includes a body with a protrusion that engages with a recess in the spine, creating a secure mechanical attachment without heat or chemicals. This mechanical substitution eliminates the associated risks and reduces manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an insulating portion as an intermediary component between the electrode and the spine. This insulating portion features a recess that receives the spine, creating a mechanical interface that both secures the electrode and provides electrical insulation. The intermediary component resolves the contradiction by enabling secure attachment while preventing unwanted electrical contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If soldering, welding, or adhesive bonding is used to attach electrodes to spines, then the attachment can be secure, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebonding reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive thermal and chemical bonding processes with a simple mechanical interlocking system. The protrusion-recess geometry provides secure attachment through pure mechanical engagement, eliminating the need for specialized equipment, materials, and skilled labor associated with soldering, welding, or adhesive application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs simple, inexpensive components that can be manufactured through conventional molding or machining processes. The insulating portion and electrode body are designed as discrete, easily fabricated parts that can be assembled through simple insertion, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If soldering, welding, or adhesive bonding is used to attach electrodes to spines, then the attachment can be secure, but the risk of improper bonding or misalignment increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebonding strengthVSAvoidalignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces processes requiring precise control of thermal or chemical parameters with a mechanical interlocking system. The protrusion-recess geometry provides self-alignment during assembly, ensuring proper positioning through physical constraints rather than relying on operator skill or process control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs the electrode assembly with self-aligning features where the protrusion on the electrode body automatically engages with the recess in the spine during assembly. This self-service mechanism ensures proper alignment without requiring external guidance or precise manual positioning, reducing the risk of misalignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4215144B1Electrode assemblies of a basket catheter having mechanical retainers and methods of the same

Publication Date: 2026.05.20 BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL) LTD

Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B

AI summary

The disclosed technology includes a medical probe including a tubular shaft having an expandable basket assembly coupled to a distal end of the tubular shaft. The basket assembly can have at least one spine extending along a longitudinal axis and configured to bow radially outward from the longitudinal axis when the basket assembly is transitioned from a collapsed form to an expanded form. The basket assembly can include electrode assemblies each attached to the spine. Each electrode assembly includes an electrode and a first and second electrically insulating portion that electrically isolate the electrode from the spine. The electrode, the first electrically insulating portion, and the second electrically insulating portion are interlocked onto the spine such that the plurality of electrode assemblies are prevented from sliding proximally or distally along a length of the spine.