High-Density Catheter Electrode Array for Low-Strain Tissue Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrophysiological catheters face challenges in efficiently navigating and deploying electrodes within the heart while minimizing strain and ensuring consistent tissue contact for accurate diagnosis and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias.
Innovation Solution
A high-density catheter with a distal electrode assembly featuring a planar two-dimensional array of electrodes, supported by flexible spline frames, allows for self-expansion and conformability to cardiac tissue, reducing strain through sliding frame ends and accommodating relative movement during configuration changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a high-density planar two-dimensional array of electrodes is deployed in the heart, then diagnostic accuracy and treatment efficacy are improved, but strain on the catheter and difficulty in navigation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode array is divided into multiple linear sequences (first through fifth electrode support sections) that are distributed across flexible spline frame assemblies. This segmentation allows the complex two-dimensional array to be constructed from simpler linear components, reducing navigation difficulty while maintaining high-density electrode distribution for accurate diagnostic measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter employs flexible spline frame assemblies that can dynamically expand and collapse. During navigation, the catheter remains in a collapsed low-profile state to minimize vascular trauma and improve steerability. Upon deployment, the spline frames expand to support the planar electrode array, providing stable tissue contact for high-precision diagnostic measurements and effective treatment delivery.
2Reliability
If the distal electrode assembly is expanded for electrode deployment, then electrode-tissue contact is improved, but strain on the catheter during configuration change increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible spline frame assemblies enable dynamic transition between collapsed and expanded configurations. The spline frames are designed to flex and accommodate the stresses generated during expansion and collapse, allowing the catheter to reliably deploy the electrode array for consistent tissue contact while withstanding the mechanical strain of configuration changes without damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The spline frame assemblies utilize flexible structural elements that can bend and deform during expansion and collapse. This flexibility allows the frame to absorb and distribute mechanical stresses, protecting the electrode array and catheter components while enabling reliable deployment for consistent electrode-tissue contact.
3Ease of operation
If the catheter navigates through vasculature in collapsed configuration, then ease of insertion is improved, but electrode deployment capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter dynamically changes configuration from collapsed to expanded state. In the collapsed state, the catheter has a low profile that facilitates easy navigation through vasculature and insertion into the heart. Once positioned, the spline frame assemblies expand to deploy the planar electrode array, enabling efficient electrode-tissue contact for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The planar electrode array is nested within the collapsed catheter structure during navigation. The flexible spline frame assemblies allow the electrode array to be contained in a compact form during insertion, then expand to deploy the full two-dimensional array for efficient electrode deployment and tissue engagement.
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
Enhances electrode deployment and contact with cardiac tissue, improving diagnostic accuracy and treatment efficacy by minimizing strain and maintaining consistent electrode-tissue contact, even in erratic cardiac motion.
Implementation Method 1
The first flexible spline frame assembly and the second flexible spline frame assembly are configured to expand and collapse. The spline frame support aperture is configured to accommodate relative sliding of end portions of the first and second flexible spline frame assemblies through the spline frame support aperture so as to reduce stresses induced in the distal electrode assembly by collapsing the distal electrode assembly
Data Source
AI summary
An electrode assembly for a catheter includes a central spline assembly. a first frame assembly. and a second frame assembly. The central spline assembly includes a first electrode portion that includes first electrodes. and a central spline end portion. The central spline assembly includes a spline frame support aperture. Each of the first and second frame assemblies include an understructure member that extends through the spline frame support aperture.