Cardiac Mapping Catheter with Segmented Support Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cardiac mapping catheters suffer from low spatial resolution due to electrode bunching and inadequate electrode density, which hinders accurate detection of rotors in the heart, particularly in the equatorial region, during electrophysiological mapping procedures.
Innovation Solution
A cardiac mapping catheter with a flexible elongated body and an electrode assembly featuring support arms that can transition from a collapsed bundle to an expanded basket structure, utilizing Nitinol or shape memory alloy splines to prevent bunching and maintain even spacing, ensuring improved contact and resolution on the heart's surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional mapping catheters with flexible support arms are used, then the catheter can be inserted intravascularly and expanded to contact the heart surface, but the support arms bunch or cluster together reducing spatial resolution and electrode distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter divides the support arms into multiple pairs, with each pair independently combined at distal and proximal ends. This segmentation prevents bunching by ensuring each pair maintains separate spacing, thereby improving spatial resolution and electrode distribution across the heart surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter combines pairs of support arms at both distal and proximal ends through rigid or flexible connecting elements. This merging strategy ensures that adjacent support arms within each pair remain evenly spaced and do not bunch together, maintaining uniform electrode distribution when the catheter is expanded against the heart surface.
2Ease of operation
If the support arms are made more flexible to improve contact with the heart surface, then better conformability is achieved, but the support arms are more prone to bunching and clustering
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter employs dynamic support arms that can transition between flexible and rigid states. The support arms are flexible during insertion to conform to the heart surface, but become rigid when expanded to maintain even spacing and prevent bunching, thereby preserving spatial resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter changes the physical parameters of the support arms by combining pairs at both ends, which alters their effective stiffness and spacing characteristics. This parameter change ensures that while individual arms remain flexible for contact, the paired structure prevents bunching and maintains spatial resolution.
3Measurement precision
If more electrodes are added to increase electrode density, then better detection capability is achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter merges pairs of support arms at both distal and proximal ends, creating a structured array that naturally accommodates multiple electrodes. This merging approach organizes the increased number of electrodes into a systematic pattern, reducing manufacturing complexity compared to random or unstructured electrode placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter segments the electrode array into multiple pairs of support arms, with each pair independently managed. This segmentation simplifies the assembly process by allowing modular construction and reduces the overall device complexity through repeated use of identical paired structures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The catheter achieves enhanced spatial resolution and even electrode distribution on the heart's surface, allowing for more accurate detection and mapping of cardiac rhythm disorders, thereby improving the effectiveness of electrophysiological procedures.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing Nitinol or shape memory alloy splines to prevent bunching and maintain even spacing
Implementation Method 2
Nitinol or shape memory alloy splines to prevent bunching and maintain even spacing
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are various examples and embodiments of a cardiac mapping catheter configured for electrophysiological (EP) mapping and suitable for intravascular insertion in a patient's heart, and methods of making same. The cardiac mapping catheter comprises a plurality support arms having electrodes disposed thereon. Various configurations of the cardiac mapping catheter are described and disclosed which provide improved spatial resolution and sensing of EP signals acquired from inside a patient's heart.