Catheter Conducting Wire Insulation in Single Lumen
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Solution Overview
Problem
Catheters with a multi-lumen structure face challenges in increasing the number of electrodes for more precise intracardiac potential measurement, reducing diameter for easier insertion, and maintaining flexibility and insulation properties while preventing electrode separation during bending.
Innovation Solution
The catheter design features conducting wires with different polarities disposed in the same lumen, with strategically located connection points to enhance insulation and allow for a reduced number of lumina, enabling more electrodes and a smaller diameter while maintaining flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conducting wires are disposed in different lumina by polarity, then insulation property is ensured, but the number of electrodes is limited and catheter diameter cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges conducting wires of different polarities into the same lumen, eliminating the need for separate lumina for each polarity. This is achieved by providing insulation between adjacent conducting wires through structural features (such as positioning grooves or insulating coatings) rather than through physical separation into different lumina, thereby simplifying the catheter structure while maintaining insulation properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a multi-lumen structure (three-dimensional separation) to a single-lumen structure with wires arranged in different circumferential positions (two-dimensional arrangement). By positioning conducting wires at different circumferential locations within the same lumen and providing insulation between them, the patent achieves insulation without requiring multiple lumina, thus reducing catheter diameter and structural complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the number of lumina is reduced, then catheter diameter is reduced and flexibility is improved, but insulation property between conducting wires may become insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local insulation features at specific positions where conducting wires are in close proximity or contact within the lumen. By providing insulation only where needed (at contact points or adjacent positions) rather than throughout the entire wire length, the patent maintains insulation property while allowing the wires to be freely positioned within the single lumen, thus preserving catheter flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary insulating structure (such as an insulating coating on the conducting wires or an insulating barrier within the lumen) that mediates between the conducting wires of different polarities. This intermediary element prevents direct contact and electrical breakdown between wires while allowing the wires to share the same lumen space, thereby maintaining both insulation property and catheter flexibility.
3Device complexity
If conducting wires are disposed in the same lumen, then catheter diameter is reduced, but insulation property between wires with different polarities may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single lumen into distinct circumferential zones or positions for different conducting wires, with insulation provided at the interfaces between these zones. By dividing the lumen space into separate regions for each wire and providing insulation at the boundaries, the patent achieves effective insulation while maintaining a simplified single-lumen structure and reduced catheter diameter.
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a catheter having electrodes to be subjected to application of voltages different from each other in polarity. An outer tube member (3) having a lumen (2); a handle provided on a proximal side of the outer tube member (3); a plurality of electrodes (5) provided on the outer tube member (3); conducting wires (6) connected to one or more of the electrodes (5) and disposed in the lumen (2), the conducting wires (6); and an operating wire (7) having a distal end portion fixed to a distal end portion of the outer tube member (3), wherein one of the electrodes (5a) is connected to a conducting wire (6a) at a connection point, which is different from a connecting point, where another electrode (5b) is connected to another conducting wire (6b), in a circumferential direction of the outer tube member (3).