Catheter Locking With Hall-Effect Sensor Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for systems and methods to securely lock and detect the presence of a catheter to prevent damage or injury during the operation of motor drive units used in catheter imaging systems.

Innovation Solution

A catheter system with a magnet attached to its proximal end and a Hall-effect sensor that detects the magnet's presence when locked in a lock receptacle, coupled with protection circuitry to disable the motor if the catheter is not properly connected, ensuring safe operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a motor drive unit is used to rotate the catheter for imaging, then imaging capability is improved, but the risk of damage to the catheter or injury to personnel increases if the catheter is not properly locked

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging capabilityVSAvoidrisk of damage or injury

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs a preliminary locking verification before allowing motor operation. The Hall-effect sensor detects the magnet position on the catheter indexing pin before the motor starts, ensuring the catheter is properly locked in the receptacle. This preliminary detection prevents harmful operation without requiring complex interlocks during runtime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical interlocks with a magnetic field-based detection system. Instead of using mechanical switches, levers, or interlocking mechanisms, the system uses a Hall-effect sensor to detect the position of a magnet on the catheter indexing pin, providing a simpler and more reliable verification method.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If a locking mechanism is implemented to secure the catheter, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidlocking mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a magnet as an intermediary element between the catheter indexing pin and the Hall-effect sensor. This magnet serves as a mediator that carries the locking status information, allowing the sensor to detect the locked state without direct mechanical contact or complex sensing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple magnets are used to recognize different catheters, then adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter recognition capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the catheter identification into discrete segments by placing individual magnets at specific positions on the indexing pin. Each magnet position corresponds to a specific catheter type, allowing the system to recognize different catheters by detecting which magnet(s) are present. This segmentation approach is simpler than using complex encoded identifiers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by placing magnets at specific locations on the indexing pin rather than using uniform identification methods. Different catheter types have magnets positioned at different locations, allowing the Hall-effect sensor to distinguish between catheter types based on the local position of the magnetic field source.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

The solution effectively locks the catheter to the motor drive unit, preventing accidental damage or injury by ensuring the catheter is securely connected before the motor is activated, and allows for recognition of different catheters using multiple magnets and sensors.

Implementation Method 1

a Hall-effect sensor configured to detect the presence of the magnet, and hence the catheter, when the catheter is locked in the lock receptacle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHall effect: Hall Effect

Data Source

PatentUS7857787B2Systems and methods for locking and detecting the presence of a catheter

Publication Date: 2010.12.28 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC

AI summary

The present invention provides systems and methods for locking and detecting the presence of a catheter. In an embodiment, a catheter system comprises a catheter and a magnet attached to a proximal end of the catheter. The catheter system further comprises a lock receptacle configured to receive and lock the proximal end of the catheter therein, and a Hall-effect sensor configured to detect the presence of the magnet, and hence the catheter, when the catheter is locked in the lock receptacle.