Robotic Catheter Proximity Sensor Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional robotic catheter systems lack effective mechanisms for precise control and safety during cardiac procedures, particularly in avoiding unintended contact with heart tissue, which can lead to tissue trauma and other complications.
Innovation Solution
A robotic control system with an electronic control unit and memory that generates actuation control signals based on proximity signals to navigate medical devices through predefined zones, adjusting speed or stopping movement to prevent tissue contact, utilizing proximity zones like GREEN, YELLOW, and RED to manage distance and speed accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a robotic catheter system is used to facilitate precise control during cardiac procedures, then the control precision and navigation accuracy are improved, but the risk of unintended device-to-tissue contact increases due to lack of real-time proximity monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a proximity sensor that continuously monitors the distance between the catheter and heart tissue, providing real-time feedback to the control system. When the catheter approaches within a predetermined safe distance, the system automatically generates an alarm signal and can terminate actuation, preventing unintended contact. This closed-loop feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by enabling both precise control and enhanced safety through continuous proximity monitoring.
2Ease of operation
If the physician manually determines actions to take when the catheter is close to heart tissue, then clinical judgment and flexibility are maintained, but the response time and reliability of safety measures are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates an automatic safety mechanism that independently monitors catheter proximity to tissue and autonomously triggers alarm signals or terminates actuation when safe distance thresholds are breached. This self-service safety function operates without requiring physician intervention, ensuring reliable and immediate protective action while preserving physician control for normal operational decisions.
3Productivity
If conventional robotic catheter systems operate without proximity-based speed adjustment, then procedural efficiency is maintained, but the risk of tissue trauma increases due to uncontrolled movement speed near critical structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic speed control that automatically adjusts the catheter's movement velocity based on real-time proximity measurements. When the catheter approaches within a predetermined safe distance of heart tissue, the system reduces actuation speed or terminates movement entirely. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting the system's operational parameters in real-time, maintaining high efficiency during safe navigation while preventing tissue trauma through automatic speed reduction in critical zones.
Data Source
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Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A robotic catheter control system (10) generates a proximity signal (240) indicative of proximity of medical devices such as a catheter to a nearby anatomic structure such as a cardiac wall. The control system (10) includes monitoring logic using proximity signal (240) during guided movement of the catheter to avoid unintended contact with body tissue. The logic includes a means for defining proximity zones(e.g., GREEN, YELLOW, RED) each having associated therewith a respective proximity (distance) criterion, with the RED zone being nearest to the body tissue and the YELLOW zone next nearest, for example. When the catheter enters into the RED zone, the logic terminates the operating power actuation units (600) of control system (10), thereby stopping movement of the catheter. When the logic detects entry of the catheter into the YELLOW zone, the logic automatically reduces a pre-planned navigation speed of the catheter.