Cardiac Catheter Loop Configuration for Stable High-Density Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cardiac catheters face challenges in providing high-density mapping and ablation of cardiac tissue with adaptability to various tissue surfaces and minimizing deformation during deployment and withdrawal, especially when transitioning between expanded and collapsed states.
Innovation Solution
A catheter design featuring a main loop and two additional loops with integrated spine configurations that distribute stress evenly, minimizing deformation and ensuring consistent electrode spacing, using biocompatible materials like stainless steel and nitinol for structural members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a catheter is designed with high-density electrodes for mapping, then mapping resolution is improved, but the catheter becomes more susceptible to deformation during deployment and withdrawal
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into multiple loops (first loop, second loop, third loop) with integrated spines, where each loop can be independently configured to distribute mechanical stress. This segmentation allows the structure to maintain electrode spacing while accommodating deployment and withdrawal movements, reducing overall deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter utilizes composite construction with integrated spines and loop members that combine different material properties. The spines provide structural support to maintain electrode positioning, while the loop members provide flexibility for navigation, creating a composite structure that resists deformation while enabling high-density mapping.
2Ease of operation
If the catheter is made collapsible for atraumatic advancement, then ease of operation is improved, but structural stability during deployment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter employs a nested loop structure where the second and third loops are coupled to the main loop at distal portions, creating a nested configuration. This allows the catheter to collapse compactly for atraumatic advancement through vasculature while maintaining structural integrity when deployed, as the nested loops provide mutual support.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter structure is designed to be dynamic, transitioning between collapsed and expanded states. The loop configuration allows the structure to adapt its rigidity - flexible during advancement for ease of operation, and stable during deployment for maintaining electrode positioning and structural integrity.
3Reliability
If multiple loops are integrated to distribute stress, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple loops (first, second, and third loops) are merged into a single integrated catheter structure with shared spines and coupling points. This merging distributes mechanical stress across the entire loop system, improving reliability, while the unified design avoids the complexity of separate independent components.
Solution Approach 2:
The loop structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for stress distribution, maintains electrode spacing for reliable mapping, and enables navigation through collapsible design. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, managing device complexity while improving reliability.
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 design enables reliable high-density mapping and ablation with reduced plastic deformation, facilitating consistent electrode function across different tissue surfaces and improving procedural efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
using biocompatible materials like stainless steel and nitinol for structural members
Implementation Method 2
The design enables reliable high-density mapping and ablation with reduced plastic deformation
Data Source
AI summary
A catheter for electrophysiology includes a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis to a distal end and an end effector coupled to the distal end of the shaft. The end effector includes a first loop member disposed on a first side of the longitudinal axis, a second loop member disposed on a second side of the longitudinal axis, and a third loop member. The third loop member includes a first spine disposed on the first side of the longitudinal axis. The first spine includes a first plurality of electrodes. The first spine is positioned radially outwardly of the first loop member relative to the longitudinal axis. The third loop member further includes a second spine disposed on the second side of the longitudinal axis. The second spine includes a second plurality of electrodes and is positioned radially outwardly of the second loop member relative to the longitudinal axis.