Catheter Tip Angle and Pressure Display via Magnetic Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices, such as catheters, face challenges in ensuring optimal contact with heart tissue during procedures like RF ablation, as excessive pressure can cause damage, and existing pressure sensors may not accurately reflect contact quality, especially in complex tissue structures.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that display parameters like bend angle and pressure on a probe's distal tip within the body, using a resilient joint and magnetic field sensing to provide visual feedback on a display screen, allowing operators to adjust for effective and safe tissue engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pressure sensors are integrated into the catheter to measure contact pressure, then the operator can monitor the pressure between the probe and tissue, but the device complexity increases and the measurement accuracy may be insufficient in complex tissue structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical pressure sensors with a magnetic field-based measurement system. Magnetic sensors detect the position and orientation of the catheter tip relative to the tissue surface, and contact pressure is calculated based on the deviation from the expected position when engaged with the tissue. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical sensing components while improving measurement accuracy in complex tissue structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic field markers or fiducial markers on the tissue surface as intermediaries. The catheter tip position is determined by measuring the magnetic field distortion caused by the catheter's interaction with these markers. This intermediary approach enables accurate contact detection without requiring direct mechanical contact sensors on the catheter.
2Reliability
If the catheter tip is pressed firmly against the heart tissue to ensure good contact, then the therapeutic effect is improved, but excessive pressure may cause damage to the heart tissue and even perforation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements real-time feedback by continuously monitoring the catheter tip position, bend angle, and calculated contact pressure through magnetic field measurements. The system provides immediate visual feedback to the operator through a display interface, allowing dynamic adjustment of the catheter position and pressure to maintain optimal contact without exceeding safe thresholds. This closed-loop feedback system ensures reliable therapeutic effect while preventing tissue damage.
3Loss of information
If traditional pressure sensors are used to indicate electrode-tissue contact, then contact information is provided to the physician, but the display may cause physician distraction and the measurement may not accurately reflect contact quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color-coded visual indicators to represent different contact quality states. The display shows the catheter tip position and contact status with intuitive color coding (e.g., green for optimal contact, yellow for moderate contact, red for excessive pressure or poor contact). This visual encoding allows physicians to quickly assess contact quality without complex numerical data, reducing distraction while improving information accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy or graphical representation of the catheter tip position and orientation on the display, which mirrors the actual physical position detected by magnetic sensors. This graphical copy provides an intuitive visual map that helps physicians understand the spatial relationship between the catheter and tissue surface without requiring interpretation of raw sensor data, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining measurement accuracy.
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 operators to visualize and control the probe's engagement with heart tissue more effectively, reducing the risk of damage by providing real-time feedback on pressure and angle, ensuring proper contact for therapeutic or diagnostic procedures.
Implementation Method 1
measuring a deformation of the joint due to engagement of tissue in the body by the distal tip
Implementation Method 2
measuring the deformation includes sensing both the deformation of the joint and a position of the probe within the body by transmitting and receiving one or more magnetic fields
Data Source
AI summary
A method for displaying information includes receiving a measurement with respect to an invasive probe inside a body of a subject of at least one probe parameter, selected from a group of parameters consisting of a bend angle of the probe and a pressure on the probe. Responsively to the measurement, an icon is displayed on a display screen representing the at least one probe parameter for viewing by an operator of the probe.