Catheter Tip Rotatable Sensor Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Catheter tips face hazards and inefficiencies when rotating within a subject of interest during medical procedures, as existing solutions require the catheter or catheter tip to rotate, which can be hazardous and limit data collection without additional rotation.
Innovation Solution
A catheter tip with a rotatable sensor assembly, including a support member, actuator sleeve, sensor compartment, and bearing/seal, allows for data transmission and reception without requiring the catheter to rotate, using a power conductor and data conductor to facilitate sensor operation and data processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the catheter or catheter tip is rotated to perform desired function or collect data, then the sensor can access different areas within the subject of interest, but the catheter tip or subject of interest may be damaged due to hazardous rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is separated from the catheter tip structure and mounted on an independent rotatable platform. The sensor can rotate 360 degrees independently while the catheter tip remains stationary, allowing data collection from multiple angles without rotating the entire catheter assembly, thus eliminating the risk of tip damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor mounting structure incorporates a rotatable platform with bearing support that enables dynamic rotation of the sensor during catheter insertion. This allows the sensor to be positioned at different orientations (e.g., 0, 90, 180, 270 degrees) relative to the catheter body, providing versatile data collection capability while the catheter tip remains stationary and safe.
2Loss of information
If the catheter tip is rotated to obtain data from different directions, then more comprehensive data can be collected, but the rotation mechanism increases device complexity and potential hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation function is segmented from the catheter body and assigned to a separate rotatable sensor platform. This segmentation allows the sensor to rotate independently on a simple bearing mechanism rather than requiring the entire catheter to have a complex rotation joint, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining complete data collection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor platform is designed with dynamic rotation capability through a bearing support system, allowing the sensor to be oriented in multiple directions during the procedure. This dynamic positioning enables comprehensive data collection from all quadrants without requiring complex mechanical rotation mechanisms in the catheter body itself.
3Device complexity
If the sensor is integrated into the catheter tip structure, then the device is simpler, but the catheter must rotate to position the sensor, creating safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is segmented from the main catheter body and mounted on a rotatable platform that can independently rotate 360 degrees. This segmentation allows the sensor to be positioned at various orientations while the catheter tip remains stationary, eliminating rotation hazards while maintaining the simple integrated structure of the catheter body itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor mounting incorporates a dynamic rotatable platform with bearing support that enables the sensor to rotate to different orientations during the procedure. This dynamic capability allows the sensor to access all directional views without requiring the catheter to rotate, maintaining structural simplicity while eliminating safety hazards.
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 safe and efficient data collection from within a subject of interest by allowing the sensor to rotate independently, reducing the risk of catheter tip damage and enhancing data retrieval capabilities without necessitating catheter rotation.
Implementation Method 1
A bearing/seal is installed in the support member and coupled to the actuator and the sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A catheter tip of a catheter including at least a power conductor and a data conductor for obtaining data of a subject of interest. The catheter tip may comprise a support member defining an actuator sleeve, a sensor compartment, and a seal pocket. An actuator may be disposed in the actuator sleeve and coupled to the power conductor. A sensor may be disposed in the sensor compartment and coupled to the data conductor. A bearing/seal may be installed in the support member and coupled to the actuator and the sensor. A cover may be coupled to the support member and may define a transparent window exposing the sensor to the subject of interest, wherein the catheter tip may be coupled to the catheter in the seal pocket.