Basket EP Catheter Single Conductor Sequential Sampling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional basket-type EP catheters require multiple voltage-out conductors for each electrode, limiting space for other essential structures like delivery lumens and fiber optic cables, making them bulky and obstructive during navigation through the vasculature.
Innovation Solution
A single voltage-out conductor system is used, enabled by a 'one-shot' circuit and signal pass-transistor or transmission gate at each electrode, allowing sequential sampling of voltage signals, reducing the number of conductors needed and providing ample space for other catheter components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple voltage-out conductors are used for each electrode, then each electrode can be sampled independently and simultaneously, but the catheter diameter increases and space for other structures is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements sequential sampling of electrodes using a single voltage-out conductor through periodic activation of sampling switches at each electrode location. The controller activates sampling switches in sequence along the catheter, allowing each electrode to be sampled in turn through the shared conductor, thereby eliminating the need for multiple simultaneous conductors while maintaining complete electrode monitoring capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple voltage-out conductor functions into a single shared conductor by implementing time-division multiplexing. The sampling switches at different electrode locations are activated sequentially, allowing the single voltage-out conductor to carry signals from multiple electrodes at different time intervals, thus combining what would traditionally require separate conductors
2Reliability
If multiple voltage-out conductors are used for each electrode, then complete electrical coverage is achieved, but the catheter becomes bulky and obstructive during navigation
Solution Approach 1:
The sequential sampling mechanism activates sampling switches periodically along the catheter length, ensuring that all electrodes are covered over time through repeated sampling cycles. This periodic activation pattern maintains complete electrical signal coverage while using a single conductor, thereby improving catheter flexibility and ease of navigation through the vasculature
3Volume of moving object
If a single voltage-out conductor is used, then space for other structures is increased and catheter diameter is reduced, but sequential sampling must be implemented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces sampling switches as intermediary components at each electrode location that control the connection between electrodes and the shared voltage-out conductor. These switching elements mediate the signal transmission, allowing multiple electrodes to share a single conductor through time-division multiplexing, thereby freeing up catheter cross-sectional space while maintaining electrical signal integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic switching of electrode connections to the voltage-out conductor based on spatial position and sampling timing. The sampling switches are dynamically activated and deactivated in sequence, allowing the electrical connection configuration to change over time, which enables single-conductor multi-electrode sampling and optimizes catheter space utilization
Data Source
AI summary
A basket-type EP catheter is described. The EP catheter comprises a catheter proximal end that is electrically connected to a controller by an electrical cable having a single voltage-out (Vout) conductor and a catheter distal end supporting a distal connector that is detachably connectable to a basket-shaped configuration of a plurality of splines. Each spline supports an array of electrodes. By sampling the voltage signal on each of the plurality of electrodes sequentially or consecutively, only one Vout conductor is needed to transmit the voltage sample to the controller. In comparison to conventional EP catheters, this greatly reduces the number of conductors extending along the catheter shaft. The use of a Vout conductor is implemented by connecting a polling circuit or a “one-shot” circuit and a signal pass-transistor or transmission gate to each electrode.