Common Conductor Thermocouple Assembly for Ablation Catheter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrophysiology catheters with single thermocouples face challenges in accurately measuring temperature at the tip-tissue interface due to orientation effects and require multiple thermocouples, which increases wire count and complexity, limiting space for other sensors and complicating assembly.
Innovation Solution
A multiple thermocouple assembly with a common conductor paired with each conductor at junctions, using different metal materials to form thermocouple pairs, allowing voltage comparisons to determine temperature at each junction, while minimizing thermal conduction and wire count through strategic material selection and configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple thermocouples are used to measure temperature at the tip-tissue interface, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to increased wire count
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple thermocouple circuits by sharing a common conductor among multiple junctions. Instead of using separate wire pairs for each thermocouple, multiple junctions connect to a single common conductor, merging the circuit paths and reducing the total number of wires required while maintaining multiple temperature measurement points
Solution Approach 2:
The common conductor serves multiple functions simultaneously - it acts as one leg of multiple thermocouple pairs, enabling several temperature measurements to be taken using a single shared conductor. This multi-functionality reduces the overall wire count while preserving the capability to measure temperature at multiple locations
2Measurement precision
If multiple thermocouples are used to eliminate orientation effects, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to limited space for other sensors
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple thermocouple circuits into a shared configuration with a common conductor, the patent reduces the space required for wire routing and connector placement. This consolidation creates additional space within the catheter structure that can be allocated to other sensors and components
3Measurement precision
If multiple thermocouples are used to accurately measure temperature, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to complicated assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The shared common conductor configuration reduces the number of discrete connections and assembly steps required. Instead of assembling multiple independent wire pairs, the manufacturing process involves connecting multiple junctions to a single common conductor, simplifying the assembly procedure and reducing potential points of failure
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
This solution provides accurate temperature measurement independent of catheter orientation, reduces wire count, and allows for more space for other sensors, enhancing the precision and efficiency of ablation procedures.
Implementation Method 1
the common conductor forms a thermocouple pair with each of the plurality of conductors... a comparison of a voltage measured at each junction to a voltage measured at the common conductor junction is indicative of a corresponding temperature at each junction
Data Source
AI summary
A multiple thermocouple assembly with a reduced wire count is configured for use in an ablation catheter tip. In at least one embodiment, the assembly comprises a first metal material comprising a plurality of junctions; a plurality of conductors comprising a second metal material, each conductor connected to the first metal material at one of the plurality of junctions; and a common conductor that is physically paired with at least one of the plurality of conductors at a corresponding common conductor junction such that the common conductor forms a thermocouple pair with each of the plurality of conductors.