Catheter Probe With Nested Irrigation Tubing and Force Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheters used for ablation procedures face challenges in controlling tissue temperature during minimally invasive procedures, as they require efficient irrigation while maintaining a small diameter to ensure precision and avoid mechanical strain.
Innovation Solution
A catheter probe design that incorporates a force sensor with a central opening for irrigation tubing, allowing efficient irrigation of electrodes without increasing the catheter's diameter, while also measuring force and controlling ablation parameters using a system controller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If irrigation tubing is added to cool tissue during ablation, then tissue temperature control is improved, but catheter diameter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The irrigation tubing is nested within the central opening of the force sensor, allowing the catheter to deliver both force measurement and irrigation functions without increasing its overall diameter. The force sensor's central opening serves as a pathway for the irrigation tubing, effectively nesting one component within another.
Solution Approach 2:
The force sensor serves multiple functions: it measures contact force between the catheter and tissue, and simultaneously provides a pathway for irrigation tubing. This multi-functionality allows the catheter to maintain a small diameter while delivering both mechanical sensing and thermal management capabilities.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple electrodes with irrigation are incorporated, then ablation precision and temperature control are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple irrigation tubing channels are routed through the central opening of the force sensor, nesting the fluid delivery system within the mechanical sensing structure. This nesting approach allows multiple electrodes to receive irrigation without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the force sensing function and irrigation delivery function into a single integrated structure at the distal end of the catheter. The force sensor housing serves as the structural framework that also accommodates the irrigation tubing, merging two separate systems into one unified component.
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 precise tissue ablation by efficiently managing irrigation fluid flow and force measurement, maintaining the catheter's small diameter and preventing mechanical damage, thus effectively controlling tissue temperature during procedures.
Implementation Method 1
A force sensor is mounted in the distal end of the insertion tube. The force sensor has a central opening and is configured to measure a force on the distal end.
Implementation Method 2
The probe also includes tubing, passing through the central opening, which is configured to supply irrigation fluid through apertures in the electrode.
Implementation Method 3
tubing, passing through the central opening, which is configured to supply irrigation fluid
Implementation Method 4
The ablation energy for these procedures may be in the form of radio-frequency (RF) energy, which is supplied to the tissue via one or more electrodes of a catheter
Implementation Method 5
Medical procedures involving ablation of the heart may be used to cure a variety of cardiac arrhythmia
Implementation Method 6
The ablation energy for these procedures may be in the form of radio-frequency (RF) energy
Data Source
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AI summary
A probe, including an insertion tube and an electrode mounted on a distal end of the insertion tube. A force sensor is mounted in the distal end of the insertion tube. The force sensor has a central opening and is configured to measure a force on the distal end. The probe also includes tubing, passing through the central opening, which is configured to supply irrigation fluid through apertures in the electrode.