Catheter Bending Control via Rotation Sensor Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cardiac catheters face challenges in maintaining the orientation of bending planes during rotation, which complicates the imaging process and requires operator reliance on image feedback to re-establish bending directions relative to patient anatomy.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a rotation sensor and motors connected to steering wires, which adjust the catheter bend to maintain its position relative to the patient during handle rotation, allowing intuitive steering in the patient reference frame and changing the imaging field of view without moving bending planes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the catheter handle is rotated to change the imaging field of view, then the imaging direction is changed, but the bending planes rotate correspondingly which moves the catheter tip position relative to the patient anatomy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging field of view rotationVSAvoidcatheter tip position relative to patient anatomy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

A rotation sensor detects the rotation of the catheter handle, and this information is fed back to a controller that automatically adjusts the bending planes to compensate for the rotation. This closed-loop feedback system ensures that the catheter tip maintains its position relative to patient anatomy while the imaging field of view rotates as intended.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the purely mechanical coupling between handle rotation and bending plane orientation with an electromechanical system. Motors driven by a controller based on rotation sensor feedback substitute for direct mechanical linkage, allowing independent control of imaging field rotation and bending plane orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If manual control of bending planes is used during catheter rotation, then the catheter can be steered, but the operator must rely on image feedback to re-establish bending directions which increases procedure time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter steeringVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic compensation of bending plane rotation without requiring operator intervention. The rotation sensor and motor-driven adjustment mechanism enable the catheter to self-correct its bending plane orientation automatically, eliminating the need for the operator to manually re-establish bending directions based on image feedback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical adjustment of bending planes by the operator is replaced with an automated electromechanical system. The controller receives rotation sensor data and actuates motors to adjust bending planes automatically, substituting human skill and time with automated control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If rotation mechanism is separated from user input joystick, then the joystick remains in place during handle rotation, but the bending planes still rotate which complicates control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoystick positioningVSAvoidcontrol mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A rotation sensor detects handle rotation and provides feedback to a controller that automatically adjusts bending planes to compensate. This feedback loop decouples the joystick positioning from bending plane orientation, allowing the joystick to remain in place while the bending planes are automatically maintained in the correct orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The direct mechanical coupling between handle rotation and bending plane control is replaced with an electromechanical system. Motors driven by a controller based on rotation sensor feedback substitute for mechanical linkage, allowing the joystick to remain stationary while bending planes are automatically adjusted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11737729B2Controlled bending for catheters

Publication Date: 2023.08.29 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG

AI summary

For rotation compensation in a catheter, a rotation sensor senses rotation of the handle or catheter. Motors are controlled to change the bend in response to sensed rotation. As the tip rotates due to handle rotation, the motors change the bend to maintain the bend and tip position relative to the patient. This steering in the patient reference frame may be more intuitive, easier to learn, and allow rotation to change an imaging field of view without moving the bending planes.