Coiled Catheter Cable Absorbs RF Current
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Solution Overview
Problem
Catheters used in magnetic-resonance-supported interventional procedures face challenges due to interactions between electric conductors and RF energy, which can impair image quality and pose safety risks, and existing solutions are costly and hinder quick intervention in complications.
Innovation Solution
A catheter design with a coiled electric cable that increases inductance, allowing RF current absorption, and a mechanism for bending the catheter end to facilitate navigation through vascular systems, while maintaining image quality and patient safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electric conductors are used in the catheter for MR imaging and ablation, then the catheter can perform diagnostic and therapeutic functions, but RF current induction causes harmful interactions that impair image quality and pose safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the principle of converting harm into benefit by designing the electric cable to function as an intentional RF current absorber. The cable's inductance and resistance are engineered to passively absorb induced RF currents, transforming the harmful RF induction effect into a beneficial protective function that prevents both image degradation and patient safety issues without requiring active filtering systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameters of the cable by increasing its inductance through coiling and adjusting its resistance through material selection and cross-sectional area. These parameter modifications enable the cable to effectively absorb RF currents across the MR imaging frequency range, converting it from a potential hazard into a protective element
2Object-affected harmful factors
If filtering systems are added to reduce HF or RF energy, then harmful interactions are reduced, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for complex active filtering systems by incorporating the RF current absorption function directly into the cable structure itself. The cable's inherent inductance and resistance, optimized through coiling and material selection, provide passive filtering that eliminates harmful interactions without requiring additional filtering components
Solution Approach 2:
The cable is designed to be self-protecting against RF current induction through its engineered inductance and resistance properties. The coiled structure and material composition enable the cable to automatically absorb and dissipate induced RF currents without requiring external filtering systems or active control mechanisms
3Stability of the object's composition
If the catheter is designed with rigid structure for stability, then structural integrity is maintained, but navigation through vascular systems becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is segmented into distinct functional zones: a flexible distal section for navigation through vascular systems and a more stable proximal section for component attachment. The electric cable is coiled only in specific sections where flexibility is needed, while maintaining structural integrity in other areas, allowing the catheter to navigate complex vascular pathways while remaining stable during procedures
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 coiled electric cable design effectively absorbs RF current, preventing heat buildup and image quality impairment, and the bending mechanism enables reliable navigation of the catheter, ensuring safe and efficient magnetic-resonance-supported interventional procedures.
Implementation Method 1
the electric cable is coiled at least in sections... By means of the coiled design of the electric cable, the inductance of the electric cable can be increased... if an RF current in the electric cable is induced by means of an RF pulse of the MR equipment, the RF current is absorbed
Data Source
AI summary
A catheter for magnetic resonance-supported interventional procedures has an electric cable that connects a first electric component attached to one catheter end with a second electric component attached to the other catheter end, with the electric cable being coiled at least in sections thereof.