Catheter Spring Element with Interlocking Features for Force Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current force sensing catheters face challenges in accurately determining the degree of contact and quality of lesions during cardiac ablation procedures, as they lack precise measurement of contact force and risk of plastic deformation affecting calibration.
Innovation Solution
The development of a spring element with interlocking features that allow elastic displacement while protecting against plastic deformation, enabling accurate force measurement by maintaining calibration even under high forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the spring element allows elastic displacement for force sensing, then measurement precision is improved, but plastic deformation may occur affecting calibration
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is divided into multiple struts that can independently deform elastically. This segmentation allows the structure to distribute stress across multiple elements, enabling accurate force measurement through controlled elastic displacement while preventing plastic deformation of any single strut that would compromise calibration
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element combines multiple structural components (struts, rings, interlocking features) into a composite system where each component contributes to the overall elastic behavior. This composite structure maintains calibration stability by ensuring that individual elements remain within elastic limits while collectively providing the needed displacement for force sensing
2Reliability
If the spring element is made more rigid to maintain calibration, then reliability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to reduced elastic displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is designed to be dynamically responsive within elastic limits, allowing it to adapt its stiffness characteristics through the interlocking features of multiple struts. This dynamic behavior enables the structure to maintain calibration reliability while providing sufficient elastic displacement for accurate force measurement across varying operational conditions
3Reliability
If the catheter applies higher force to ensure tissue contact, then contact reliability is improved, but tissue damage may occur from excessive force
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element provides inherent mechanical feedback by deforming elastically in response to applied force. This feedback mechanism allows the catheter to automatically regulate contact force - when tissue contact is detected, the spring compresses, reducing further force application and preventing excessive pressure that could cause tissue damage, while still ensuring reliable contact for therapy delivery
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
The spring element with interlocking features ensures accurate and reliable force sensing, preventing plastic deformation and maintaining calibration, thus enhancing the precision of catheter-based therapies and diagnostics.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of struts is configured to permit elastic, relative axial and radial displacement between the first ring and the second ring
Data Source
AI summary
A spring element for a contact force sensing medical catheter. The spring element includes a first ring, a second ring spaced apart from the first ring, a plurality of struts connecting the first ring to the second ring, and a plurality of interlocking features. The second ring and the first ring are coaxially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the spring element. The plurality of struts is configured to permit elastic, relative axial and radial displacement between the first ring and the second ring. The plurality of interlocking features is configured to limit the relative axial and radial displacement between the first ring and the second ring.