Basket Electrode Assembly for Intravascular Spatial Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current intravascular medical devices, such as mapping catheters, suffer from low spatial resolution due to electrode arm bunching and inadequate electrode density, which hinders accurate detection of cardiac arrhythmia sources like rotors in the left atrium.
Innovation Solution
The design features a basket-type electrode assembly with united end parts formed by combining neighboring support arms at both their proximal and distal ends, using means like rings, adhesive joints, or clamping elements, to maintain a stable structure and prevent clustering, allowing for even electrode distribution on a flexible polymeric substrate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If support arms are made flexible to enable intravascular insertion, then the device can be navigated through vessels, but the support arms tend to bunch and cluster when contacting body surface, reducing spatial resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The support arms are segmented into multiple sections with different stiffness characteristics. The proximal portion has lower stiffness to facilitate navigation through vessels, while the distal portion has higher stiffness to maintain structural integrity and prevent bunching when contacting the body surface, thereby maintaining spatial resolution
Solution Approach 2:
The support arms are constructed from composite materials or have composite structure with varying mechanical properties along their length. This allows the proximal section to be more flexible for navigation while the distal section remains rigid enough to prevent clustering and maintain electrode spacing accuracy
2Measurement precision
If electrode density is increased to improve detection accuracy, then spatial resolution improves, but the complexity of the device structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode array is segmented and distributed across multiple support arms rather than concentrated on a single structure. This allows high electrode density to be achieved while distributing the complexity across multiple simpler, identical components (support arms), making the overall device more manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The electrodes are arranged in a three-dimensional configuration across multiple arms extending in different directions, utilizing spatial dimensions to achieve high detection accuracy without requiring excessive electrodes in a single plane, thereby managing structural complexity
3Measurement precision
If the basket structure is made stable to prevent arm clustering, then spatial resolution is maintained, but the flexibility for intravascular insertion is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The basket structure is segmented into multiple independent support arms rather than a rigid monolithic structure. Each arm can flex independently during insertion while maintaining relative positions when deployed, providing both flexibility for navigation and stability for measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The support arms transition from a flexible state during insertion to a stabilized state when deployed. The arms are designed to be compliant during navigation but maintain fixed geometric relationships when in use, achieving both adaptability and structural stability
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention concerns an elongated medical device (1, 11) suitable for intravascular insertion. Said device comprising a flexible elongated body (2) having a distal portion (3) with a distal end (4) and a proximal portion (5), and an electrode assembly (80) located at the distal portion (3). The electrode assembly (80) comprises a plurality of at least x=4 support arms (81), wherein x is evenly divisible by the number 2, each support arm (81) having a proximal end part (81 a), a distal end part (81 b) and a main part (81 c) between the proximal end part (81 a) and the distal end part (81 b), the plurality of at least x=4 support arms (81) comprising first and second neighboring support arms (81.1, 81.2) forming pairs of neighboring support arms (81). The electrode assembly (80) further comprises a plurality of electrodes (82) arranged on the support arms (81) for collecting electrophysiological data. The plurality of at least x=4 support arms (81) is configured to have a first condition (UC), where the plurality of at least x=4 support arms (81) is arranged in a bundle, and a second condition (EC), where the plurality of at least x=4 support arms (81) is expanded, forming a basket type structure (83). All first and second neighboring support arms (81.1, 81.2) are combined at their proximal end parts (81 a) to form united end parts (88a), such that all pairs of neighboring support arms (81) are united at their proximal end parts (81 a). Further, each second and first neighboring support arms (81.2, 81.1) are combined at their distal end parts (81 b), to form united end parts (88b), such that all pairs of neighboring support arms (81) are united at their distal end parts (81 b), wherein each support arm (81) is combined at its distal end part (81 b) with a different neighboring support arm (81) than at its proximal end part (81 a).