Catheter Electrode Imaging With Magnetic-Field Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for generating internal images of a living body face inefficiencies due to electric currents bypassing the measurement subject, reduced resolution from using electric current detection, and limitations in ultrasound wave penetration, particularly in the presence of bones and air-filled tissues, leading to incomplete imaging.

Innovation Solution

A medical system using a catheter to pass a high-frequency current inside the body, with magnetic sensors and counter electrode plates outside the body to detect the generated magnetic field, alternately disposed in both vertical and horizontal directions, enhancing detection accuracy and sensitivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If electric current is passed between external electrodes, then in-vivo image can be generated, but the current may bypass the measurement subject causing loss of in-vivo information

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvein-vivo informationVSAvoidelectrode arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by placing electrodes inside the measurement subject rather than outside. This internal electrode configuration ensures that current must pass through the subject's body to complete the circuit, eliminating the bypass problem and ensuring efficient acquisition of in-vivo information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent integrates multiple functional components within a compact structure. The internal electrodes are nested within the measurement subject, and magnetic sensors are positioned to detect fields generated by current passing through the subject. This nested arrangement maximizes information acquisition while minimizing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Measurement precision

If electric current detection is used to generate in-vivo image, then image can be obtained, but detection speed and sensitivity are reduced compared to magnetic field detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoiddetection speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces direct electric current detection with magnetic field detection. By measuring the magnetic field generated by current flowing through internal electrodes, the system achieves both high detection sensitivity and high speed, overcoming the limitations of direct electrical measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces magnetic field detection as an intermediary measurement method. Instead of directly measuring electric current, the system detects the magnetic field produced by the current, which provides superior sensitivity and speed while still enabling reconstruction of in-vivo electrical properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If ultrasound waves are used for imaging, then internal structure can be visualized, but waves are reflected by bones and air-filled tissues preventing depth imaging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedepth direction informationVSAvoidacoustic impedance mismatch

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces ultrasound wave propagation with electrical current flow and magnetic field detection. Electrical currents can penetrate through bones and air-filled tissues that block ultrasound, enabling imaging in depth directions previously inaccessible to ultrasound methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameter used for imaging from acoustic waves to electrical and magnetic fields. This parameter change allows the imaging system to overcome acoustic impedance mismatches at bone and air interfaces, enabling penetration into regions that reflect ultrasound waves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Improves the efficiency and resolution of internal imaging by ensuring magnetic field detection through the body, allowing visualization beyond bones and air-filled tissues, and expanding the visible region within the body.

Implementation Method 1

a distal end electrode (22) that is disposed at a distal end of the medical device (20), and passes a high frequency current to the living body from inside the living body; magnetic sensors (11) that are disposed outside the living body, and detect a magnetic field generated by the high frequency current

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4173561B1Medical imaging system

Publication Date: 2025.10.15 ASAHI INTECC CO LTD

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AI summary

This medical system is provided with: a medical device that is inserted inside a living body; a distal end electrode that is disposed at a distal end of the medical device, and passes a high frequency to the living body from inside the living body; a magnetic sensor that is disposed outside the living body, and detects a magnetic field generated by the high frequency that has been passed from the distal end electrode to the living body; and an image-generating unit that generates an internal image of the living body using magnetic field information output from the magnetic sensor.