Catheter Spline Interval Control via Restraining Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing catheter designs with spline basket electrode assemblies face issues where the intervals between adjacent splines become either too narrow or too wide when in contact with body tissue, affecting shape change functionality.
Innovation Solution
A catheter design featuring a shaft with adjacent splines restrained by a first restraining member, ensuring consistent intervals between the splines during shape changes, utilizing a combination of flexible materials and shape-memory alloys to maintain appropriate spacing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the catheter changes shape with splines in contact with body tissue, then the catheter can perform its diagnostic or treatment function, but the interval between adjacent splines becomes too narrow or too wide
Solution Approach 1:
The restraining members are pre-installed on the catheter shaft before the splines are deployed. These restraining members are positioned at predetermined locations that correspond to the desired intervals between adjacent splines. When the splines are later expanded into contact with body tissue, the pre-positioned restraining members ensure that the splines maintain appropriate spacing, preventing them from becoming too narrow or too wide apart.
2Manufacturing precision
If restraining members are added to control spline intervals, then the spacing between splines is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The restraining members are designed as thin, flexible structures that can be easily integrated onto the catheter shaft. These restraining members may take the form of thin rings, bands, or membrane structures that conform to the shaft's geometry. Their flexible nature allows them to accommodate the catheter's bending and shape changes while maintaining the spline spacing function, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a catheter in which a spline changes its shape into an intended shape. A catheter includes a shaft to be inserted into the body, a plurality of splines connected to the distal end side of the shaft, and a distal end member connected to the distal end side of the splines. The plurality of splines include a first spline and a second spline. The first spline and the second spline are located adjacent to each other and their motions are restrained by a first restraining member.