Catheter Spine Segmentation for High-Density Cardiac Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrophysiology catheters face challenges in accurately detecting and mapping cardiac arrhythmias due to limited electrode density and increased risk of electrode shorting, deformation, and detachment, which complicates the identification of re-entrant circuits and conduction channels, particularly in complex arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation.
Innovation Solution
The development of an electrophysiology catheter with a higher density of closely spaced microelectrodes and a flexible yet predictable electrode structure, featuring an elongated body with a distal electrode assembly including multiple spines and nonconductive spine covers, designed to minimize deformation and improve contact with cardiac tissue while maintaining accessibility and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electrode density is increased to improve signal detection accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but the risk of electrode shorting and structural deformation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter structure is divided into multiple independent spines (typically 3-6 spines) that are radially arranged around the longitudinal axis. Each spine carries one or more electrodes, physically separating them from electrodes on other spines. This segmentation prevents shorting between closely spaced electrodes while maintaining high electrode density for accurate signal detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The spines are constructed from flexible materials that allow the catheter to navigate cardiac anatomy while maintaining the relative positions of electrodes. The flexible spine structure prevents deformation that could cause electrode misalignment or shorting, even when electrodes are closely spaced for high-density mapping.
2Measurement precision
If electrode density is increased to improve signal detection accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented spine architecture allows modular construction where each spine can be manufactured and tested independently before final assembly. This segmentation simplifies the manufacturing process compared to creating a single complex high-density electrode array, while still achieving high electrode density through the radial arrangement of multiple spines.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing electrode density in a single linear dimension along the catheter shaft, the invention distributes electrodes across multiple radial dimensions using spines arranged around the longitudinal axis. This multi-dimensional arrangement achieves high electrode density without proportionally increasing the linear length or cross-sectional complexity of the catheter.
3Ease of operation
If the catheter structure is made more flexible to improve tissue contact, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of electrode deformation and detachment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spines are constructed from flexible materials that allow the catheter to conform to cardiac tissue surfaces, improving contact and signal quality. The flexible structure enables navigation through complex cardiac anatomy while maintaining electrode integrity through careful material selection and structural design.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrodes are nested within or attached to the spine structures, which themselves are nested within the catheter body. This nested arrangement provides mechanical protection to the electrodes while allowing the outer flexible catheter structure to provide overall flexibility for tissue contact. The hierarchical nesting ensures electrodes remain secured even as the flexible catheter navigates and contacts tissue.
Data Source
AI summary
A catheter system to record and map electrical signals by cardiac tissues before, during, and/or after the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias in a group of patients. The system can include an elongated body; a distal electrode assembly comprising a proximal stem, a plurality of spines emanating from the stem; and a plurality of nonconductive spine covers, each surrounding a respective spine. Each spine can cover one or more tensile members of the respective spine cover. The system can be configured to achieve clinically improved performance and safety of catheter configurations as to accessibility into target areas of a beating heart.