Catheter Force Sensing via Capacitive Transmitter and Offset Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrophysiology catheters face challenges in precisely determining contact force between the catheter and cardiac tissue, leading to non-specific and difficult-to-interpret measurements, which can affect the effectiveness of procedures for conditions like atrial arrhythmia.
Innovation Solution
An elongated medical device with a tip and catheter shaft, featuring a transmitter and sensors configured to detect external forces, where the sensors are positioned to measure changes in capacitance or resistance, allowing for precise force sensing and feedback to the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional contact detection mechanisms are used, then the catheter can determine contact between catheter and tissue, but the measurements are non-specific and difficult to interpret
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter incorporates multiple discrete force sensing elements distributed along its surface, each independently measuring contact force in specific locations. This segmentation allows precise local measurement while maintaining overall interpretability of contact patterns across the catheter body.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical contact detection mechanisms with force sensing elements that utilize electrical field interactions and capacitive sensing. This substitution provides more precise and interpretable measurements by converting mechanical contact forces into electrical signals that can be clearly quantified and analyzed.
2Reliability
If additional components are added to determine contact, then contact detection capability is improved, but the cost, size, and complexity of the catheter increase
Solution Approach 1:
The force sensing elements serve multiple functions: they detect contact force magnitude, determine contact presence/absence, and provide spatial localization of contact points. This multi-functionality improves contact detection reliability without requiring separate components for each function, thereby limiting complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates the force sensing elements directly into the catheter structure, merging the sensing function with the existing catheter body. This integration approach improves contact detection reliability while minimizing additional complexity by combining multiple functions into unified sensor assemblies rather than adding separate discrete components.
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 and precise measurement of contact force, improving the effectiveness of procedures by providing real-time feedback to the user, enhancing the formation of lesions and mapping of heart tissue.
Implementation Method 1
each of the sensors is configured to receive the transmitter signal and the first plurality of sensors is longitudinally offset from the second plurality of sensors
Implementation Method 2
a transmitter configured to transmit a transmitter signal when external force is applied to the tip
Implementation Method 3
wherein each of the plurality of sensors is configured to receive the transmitter signal when an external force is applied to the force sensing element
Implementation Method 4
measure changes in capacitance or resistance
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the instant disclosure relate to an elongated medical device. In particular, the instant disclosure relates to apparatuses for sensing contact force. In various embodiments, a force sensing element including a tip and a catheter shaft, wherein the tip is configured to move relative to the shaft when an external force is applied to the tip comprising a transmitter configured to transmit a transmitter signal when external force is applied to the tip, a first plurality of sensors and a second plurality of sensors positioned proximate the transmitter, wherein each of the sensors is configured to receive the transmitter signal and the first plurality of sensors is longitudinally offset from the second plurality of sensors.