Catheter Electrode Multi-Thermocouple Temperature Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical probes, such as cardiac ablation catheters, face challenges in accurately sensing temperature at multiple locations on the electrode, particularly in scenarios with large temperature gradients, such as irrigated tip ablation electrodes.
Innovation Solution
The medical probe incorporates multiple thermocouples disposed at different locations on the electrode, which are electrically coupled to the electrode and configured to sense respective temperatures. The probe also includes a common conductor shared among the thermocouples, simplifying wiring and allowing for efficient temperature monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single temperature sensor is used at the electrode tip, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision is insufficient for capturing temperature gradients across the electrode surface
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode temperature monitoring system is segmented into multiple independent thermocouple sensing points distributed across the electrode surface. Each thermocouple independently measures temperature at its specific location, enabling the system to capture temperature gradients and spatial variations that a single sensor cannot detect, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from one-dimensional temperature monitoring (single point) to two-dimensional temperature mapping across the electrode surface. By distributing multiple thermocouples in a spatial array, the system captures temperature distribution in multiple dimensions, achieving comprehensive temperature monitoring while maintaining manageable device complexity through systematic sensor placement
2Measurement precision
If multiple thermocouples are distributed across the electrode, then the temperature mapping precision is improved, but the device complexity and wiring requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple thermocouple junctions are electrically merged into a common reference potential, allowing their voltage signals to be differentially measured against a single reference. This merging approach reduces the number of independent wiring paths needed, as all thermocouples share common electrical references, thereby reducing wiring complexity while preserving the ability to measure temperatures at multiple locations independently
Solution Approach 2:
The common reference conductor serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the reference electrode for all thermocouple measurements and provides a universal electrical pathway for signal acquisition. This multi-functionality reduces the overall wiring requirements, as the same conductor fulfills multiple electrical roles, resolving the contradiction between comprehensive temperature mapping and wiring 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
This configuration enables precise temperature mapping across the electrode, effectively managing temperature gradients and ensuring accurate control during medical procedures like cardiac ablation.
Implementation Method 1
Multiple thermocouples are disposed at respective different locations of the electrode and electrically coupled to the electrode, and are configured to sense respective temperatures at the locations
Data Source
AI summary
A medical probe includes an elongate body for insertion into an organ of a patient, and an electrode that is attached to the elongate body. Multiple thermocouples are disposed at respective different locations of the electrode and electrically coupled to the electrode, and are configured to sense respective temperatures at the locations.