Catheter Force Visualization Using Microelectrode Differential Pairs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for invasive cardiac catheterization procedures, such as ablation procedures, lack a comprehensive representation of force and power applied by the catheter, limiting the clinician's ability to visualize tissue transformation and navigate the catheter effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a sequence of axial differential pairs of electrodes on the catheter to determine orthogonality and applied force vector, enabling enhanced visualization and 3D representation of tissue changes, allowing for better characterization of procedure outcomes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If microelectrodes are used to sense catheter parameters, then the location and orientation of the catheter tip can be determined, but the representation lacks comprehensive force and power information
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter employs multiple microelectrodes segmented into different groups (first plurality and second plurality) positioned at different locations along the catheter body. This segmentation allows independent measurement of different force components and power parameters, enabling comprehensive force and power information to be obtained without requiring a single complex sensing system.
Solution Approach 2:
The microelectrodes are designed to perform multiple functions: they detect tissue contact, measure applied force, determine catheter orientation, and assess power delivery. This multi-functionality allows the same sensing elements to provide comprehensive information about force and power without adding separate dedicated sensors for each parameter, thereby avoiding increased device complexity.
2Loss of information
If multiple microelectrodes are deployed to enhance information, then force and power representation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple microelectrodes are merged into a unified sensing system where the signals from all microelectrodes are processed together to derive force and power information. The processing system combines data from the first plurality and second plurality of microelectrodes to calculate both force magnitude/direction and power delivery characteristics, achieving comprehensive information without proportionally increasing complexity through integrated signal processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from simple binary contact detection to multi-dimensional force and power measurement by utilizing the spatial distribution and signal variations across multiple microelectrodes. This dimensional expansion allows the derivation of force vectors and power parameters from the collective data, providing comprehensive information while maintaining manageable complexity through mathematical processing rather than additional hardware.
3Loss of information
If force sensing capability is added to the catheter, then tissue transformation visualization is improved, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback to the operator by processing microelectrode signals to determine force magnitude and direction, then presenting this information in a visual representation of tissue transformation. This feedback loop allows the operator to see the effect of their manipulations on tissue without requiring complex manual interpretation of raw sensor data, maintaining ease of operation while delivering comprehensive tissue transformation information.
Solution Approach 2:
A processing system acts as an intermediary between the microelectrodes and the operator, translating complex multi-electrode signals into intuitive visual representations of force application and tissue transformation. This intermediary processing layer shields the operator from the complexity of multiple sensor inputs while providing actionable insights about tissue transformation, thereby improving information delivery without degrading ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
In the present invention, a system and method for determining the orthogonality and applied force vector of an ablation catheter includes the steps of providing an electrophysiology system including an RF generator, a processor operably connected to the RF generator, a display operably connected to the processor and an ablation catheter operably connected to the RF generator and the processor, the catheter including an ablation electrode disposed opposite the RF generator and a number of microelectrodes disposed on and electrically isolated from the ablation electrode, the processor configured to compare data signals obtained from the microelectrodes with one another to derive a difference value for each pair of data signals, obtaining data signals from the microelectrodes, comparing the data signals from microelectrode pairs to determine difference values and generating a visual representation on the display of the orthogonality and applied force vector of the ablation electrode using the difference values.