Basket Catheter Microelectrode Array Distal Tip Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrophysiology catheters face challenges in providing high-density mapping and precise focal diagnostic capabilities, especially in varying heart atrium sizes and shapes, with a need for improved maneuverability and tissue contact in cavernous regions.
Innovation Solution
A basket catheter with a high-density electrode assembly and an integrated ultra-high density microelectrode distal tip, featuring a basket-shaped electrode assembly with adjustable spines and a deflection section for expanded and collapsed configurations, combined with a focal catheter tip for acute mapping, allowing for both large-area and precise focal mapping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a basket-shaped electrode assembly is used for large-area mapping, then the mapping area coverage is improved, but the measurement precision for focal points deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter divides the electrode array into two distinct segments: a basket-shaped assembly with multiple spines and electrodes for large-area mapping, and a separate focal catheter tip with a dense array of microelectrodes for precise focal point measurement. This segmentation allows each segment to optimize its function independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the basket-shaped electrode assembly and the focal catheter tip into a single integrated catheter device. The focal catheter tip is positioned at the distal end of the basket assembly, allowing simultaneous or sequential use of both mapping modes without requiring separate devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the basket assembly is made steerable to conform to varying atrium shapes, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The basket assembly incorporates a deflection mechanism that allows the spines to be dynamically adjusted to different angles and positions. This enables the basket to conform to varying atrium geometries by changing its shape adaptively rather than requiring multiple fixed configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflection mechanism provides multi-functional capability by allowing the same basket assembly to adapt to different atrium shapes and sizes through adjustable spine angles, making a single device versatile enough to handle various anatomical variations.
3Measurement precision
If high-density microelectrodes are used for greater sensitivity, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The focal catheter tip concentrates a high density of microelectrodes in a localized region at the distal end, providing high measurement precision where it is most needed for focal point identification, while the rest of the basket assembly uses a less dense electrode distribution for broader coverage.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3A
Figure 3B
AI summary
A catheter adapted for greater mapping resolution and location precision has a basket-shaped, high density electrode assembly for large-area mapping, and an integrated distal tip providing an array of ultra-high density microelectrodes for acute focal mapping. The basket-shaped electrode assembly 18 has a plurality of electrode-carrying spines and the distal tip has a nonmetallic, electrically insulating substrate body with indentations in which microelectrodes are positioned in a manner that the outer surface is generally flush with the outer surface of the substrate body to present a generally smooth, atraumatic distal tip profile.