Flexible Catheter Electrode Sheet Array for Organ Surface Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices lack a flexible sheet array of electrodes adaptable to varying organ surfaces for diagnosing and treating electrical abnormalities within the body, particularly in the heart and its vessels.
Innovation Solution
A catheter with a flexible elongated body, a handle, and a flexible sheet array of electrodes that can move from a collapsed to a deployed configuration, equipped with spines and location sensors for precise mapping and treatment of electrical information in tissue, allowing for six-dimensional coordinate positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rigid catheter structure with fixed electrodes is used, then the position and orientation of electrodes can be precisely determined, but the device cannot adapt to varying surfaces of organs within the patient's body
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter structure transitions from a static rigid form to a dynamic flexible configuration that can adapt its shape. The flexible catheter body with movable spines allows the electrode array to conform to the varying surfaces of organs while maintaining the ability to determine electrode positions through flexible positioning mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible catheter body and flexible spines that can bend and adapt to organ surfaces. This flexible structure allows the electrode array to conform to irregular anatomical surfaces while the location sensors maintain the ability to track electrode positions in three-dimensional space
2Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible catheter structure is used, then the device can adapt to varying organ surfaces, but the position and orientation determination becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical position sensing systems with electromagnetic or acoustic field-based location sensors. These sensors can accurately determine the position and orientation of flexible electrodes through non-contact field interactions, eliminating the need for rigid mechanical reference structures
Solution Approach 2:
The location sensor system is designed to function effectively with both rigid and flexible catheter configurations. The sensor array can track electrode positions regardless of the catheter's shape or configuration, providing universal position determination capability across different anatomical scenarios
3Measurement precision
If multiple position-sensing devices are fixed in a rigid structure, then six-dimensional coordinates can be determined, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into modular segments including the catheter body, spines, and electrode arrays. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the spines can be positioned to provide stable reference points for location sensors while the electrode array remains flexible for adaptability, reducing overall system complexity
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
Enables accurate, real-time mapping and treatment of electrical activity in the heart and other organs with improved contact and adaptability to varying anatomical surfaces, enhancing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The location sensor may be active or passive and may operate by generating or receiving electrical, magnetic or ultrasonic energy fields
Implementation Method 2
The location sensor may be active or passive and may operate by generating or receiving electrical, magnetic or ultrasonic energy fields
Implementation Method 3
The location sensor may be active or passive and may operate by generating or receiving electrical, magnetic or ultrasonic energy fields
Implementation Method 4
The coils generate electrical signals in response to externally-applied magnetic fields, which are produced by field-generator coils placed outside the patient's body
Data Source
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AI summary
A medical device has a flexible elongated body, a handle connected to the elongated body, at least one spine connected to the elongated body, and a flexible sheet attached to the at least one spine. The flexible sheet has a plurality of electrodes thereon, wherein the flexible sheet and the plurality of electrodes define a mapping assembly for mapping electrical information in tissue, and wherein the at least one spine and the flexible sheet is movable from a collapsed configuration to a deployed configuration.