Encapsulated Catheter Framework for Stable Cardiac Tissue Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheters for cardiac arrhythmia treatment face challenges in conforming to complex cardiac anatomy, requiring stiff internal structural members that hinder electrode contact with irregular tissue surfaces and are prone to breakage and delamination.
Innovation Solution
A flexible catheter framework with cantilevered spines and a flexible circuit design, incorporating a stretchable polymer material and strain reduction features, allows for better tissue contact and reduces mechanical stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If stiff internal structural members are used to maintain predetermined configuration, then structural stability is improved, but electrode contact with irregular tissue surfaces deteriorates and manipulation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter structure is divided into multiple segments including a collapsible distal portion with multiple expandable arms that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the catheter to collapse for easy insertion while expanding at the distal end to provide stable electrode contact surfaces that can conform to irregular tissue geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter transitions from a static stiff structure to a dynamic structure with collapsible and expandable portions. The distal portion can collapse during insertion/withdrawal for easy manipulation and expand during operation to maintain stable contact with tissue, adapting its configuration based on operational requirements.
2Stability of the object's composition
If stiff internal structural members are used to maintain predetermined configuration, then structural stability is improved, but risk of breakage and delamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter employs a collapsible distal portion constructed from flexible materials that can be compressed during insertion and expansion. This flexible construction eliminates stiff internal structural members that are prone to breakage and delamination, while still maintaining structural integrity through the flexible framework design.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter is divided into collapsible segments with expandable arms that can be independently positioned. This segmentation distributes mechanical stresses across multiple flexible joints rather than concentrating them in rigid structures, reducing the risk of breakage and delamination while maintaining structural stability during operation.
3Ease of operation
If flexible catheter design is used to improve tissue contact, then electrode contact with irregular surfaces is improved, but structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter combines a stable proximal portion with a collapsible distal portion containing multiple expandable arms. The segmented design allows the distal arms to flex and conform to irregular tissue surfaces for improved electrode contact, while the proximal portion maintains structural stability for reliable connection to the elongate shaft.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter employs dynamic configuration where the distal portion collapses during insertion and expands during operation. This dynamic transition allows the structure to be flexible when needed for tissue contact while maintaining stability when required for structural support, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and stability.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed technology includes a framework for an end effector of a medical device. The framework includes a base, a first cantilevered spine, a second cantilevered spine, and a first support. The base connects with an elongated shaft of the medical device. The first cantilevered spine extends from the base along a longitudinal axis to a terminal portion. The second cantilevered spine extends from the base along the longitudinal axis to a terminal portion. The first support connects the terminal portion of the first cantilevered spine with an intermediate portion of the second cantilevered spine.