Catheter End Effector with Non-Coplanar Loops for High-Density Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current catheter-based systems for diagnosing and treating cardiac arrhythmias lack the necessary high-density signal mapping resolution and adaptability to different tissue surfaces, particularly in complex geometries like the heart.
Innovation Solution
The proposed apparatus features an end effector with three non-coplanar loop members that can expand to an unconstrained configuration and then flatten against a planar surface, equipped with electrodes having enhanced surface roughness and twisted pair electrode wires, along with a mechanical linkage and a bonded spine cover.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a catheter provides high-density signal maps through several electrodes, then mapping resolution is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The end effector is divided into multiple loop members (first, second, and third loop members) that can be independently configured. Each loop member contains multiple electrodes, allowing the system to segment the sensing function across multiple modular components. This segmentation enables high-density mapping while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The loop members are configured to be non-coplanar when unconstrained, creating a three-dimensional electrode array. When constrained, they form a planar surface with high electrode density. This dimensional transition allows the system to achieve high mapping resolution in both 3D space (unconstrained) and 2D surface contact (constrained), effectively resolving the complexity-resolution trade-off.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a catheter is adaptable to different tissue surfaces including irregular surfaces, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The loop members are designed with dynamic configurability - they can transition between constrained (planar) and unconstrained (non-coplanar, three-dimensional) states. This dynamic adaptation allows the catheter to conform to various tissue geometries including flat, curved, and irregular surfaces without requiring multiple specialized devices, thereby improving adaptability while controlling complexity through a single versatile design.
Solution Approach 2:
The loop members function as flexible structures that can bend and conform to tissue surfaces. When constrained, they form a planar film-like structure; when unconstrained, they adopt three-dimensional configurations that adapt to irregular geometries. This flexibility enables the device to maintain effective electrode-tissue contact across diverse surface types without increasing fundamental device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If electrodes have enhanced surface roughness to improve signal fidelity, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode surfaces are modified by changing the roughness parameter - introducing controlled surface irregularities rather than requiring perfectly smooth surfaces. This parameter change improves signal fidelity by enhancing tissue contact and electrical coupling. The manufacturing process achieves this through standardized roughening techniques that are more forgiving than precision polishing, thereby improving measurement precision while managing manufacturing precision requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes an end effector having loop members with electrodes thereon and is usable with catheter-based systems to measure or provide electrical signals. The end effector can include three loop members that are non-coplanar when expanded unconstrained that become contiguous to a planar surface when the loop members are deflected against the surface, a mechanical linkage that joins the loop members at a distal vertex of the end effector, electrodes having surface treatment to enhance surface roughness of the electrodes, twisted pair electrode wires, a bonded spine cover, and/or any combination thereof.