Catheter Irrigation Cable Shielding for ECG Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
During medical catheterization procedures, the use of radiofrequency energy for cardiac tissue ablation faces challenges in controlling local heating, leading to either ineffective lesions or excessive tissue damage due to spurious electrical interference from peristaltic pumps used for irrigation, which complicates electrocardiographic monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A catheterization system that includes a flexible catheter with a lumen for electrically conductive fluid, connected to an irrigation pump and electrocardiogram circuitry, featuring a metallically shielded cable and antistatic coatings to minimize electrical interference, ensuring accurate monitoring of heart activity during ablation procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a peristaltic pump is used to irrigate the ablation site, then cooling control is improved, but spurious electrical interference is generated that complicates electrocardiographic monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
An electrically conductive cable is introduced as an intermediary element to provide a controlled electrical pathway between the irrigation fluid and the patient's body. This cable acts as a mediator that directs electrical currents away from the ECG monitoring circuitry, thereby reducing spurious interference while maintaining the cooling function of the peristaltic pump
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the problematic mechanical peristaltic pump with an electronically controlled pump system that integrates electrical shielding and grounding features. This substitution allows for better control of electrical interference through electronic means rather than mechanical pumping actions that generate triboelectric and piezoelectric noise
2Reliability
If radiofrequency energy is applied for tissue ablation, then ablation effectiveness is improved, but local heating control becomes difficult leading to tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system that continuously monitors temperature at the ablation site and adjusts the radiofrequency energy delivery accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism prevents excessive local heating by reducing or stopping energy delivery when temperature thresholds are approached, while maintaining effective ablation through optimized energy application
Solution Approach 2:
Irrigation fluid delivered through the catheter acts as an intermediary cooling medium between the radiofrequency ablation source and the surrounding tissue. This fluid mediator absorbs excess heat and dissipates it away from the ablation site, enabling better thermal control and preventing tissue damage from uncontrolled local heating
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 system effectively reduces spurious electrical interference, allowing for precise monitoring of heart activity and controlled ablation by mitigating triboelectric and piezoelectric noise, thereby enhancing the effectiveness and safety of cardiac ablation procedures.
Implementation Method 1
An electrically conductive cable links the electrically conductive fluid to an electrode that is in contact with the subject
Implementation Method 2
The cable is metallically shielded
Implementation Method 3
mitigating triboelectric and piezoelectric noise
Implementation Method 4
mitigating triboelectric and piezoelectric noise
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems of catheterization include a flexible catheter adapted for insertion into a heart of a living subject. The catheter has a lumen for passing an electrically conductive fluid therethrough, which is propelled by a peristaltic pump. A fluid reservoir connected to the lumen supplies the fluid to the catheter. Electrocardiogram circuitry is connectable to the subject for monitoring electrical activity in the heart. An electrically conductive cable diverts induced charges in the fluid from the catheter electrodes, for example by shorting to a rotating element in the peristaltic pump.