Connector Interface for ECG Catheter Sterile Interconnection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current catheter placement systems face challenges in enabling efficient and sterile interconnection of components, leading to increased system costs and complexity, particularly in maintaining sterility during procedures.

Innovation Solution

A connector interface that allows for removably attaching to a location sensor and providing electrically conductive pathways between the sensor and other system components, enabling connections through a sterile barrier, such as a surgical drape, to facilitate modular design and reduce costs by allowing component interchangeability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If components are permanently integrated into a single system unit, then system reliability is improved, but system flexibility and ease of repair deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidcomponent interchangeability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into separate modular components (location sensor, connector interface, additional components) that can be independently manufactured, tested, and replaced. The connector interface serves as a standardized interface between these modules, enabling reliable reconnection after separation for repair or replacement purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables easy replacement of components by disconnecting them through the connector interface. Defective components can be discarded and replaced with new or repaired units, while the connector interface and other system components are recovered and reused, reducing overall system cost and improving maintenance efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a sterile barrier is placed between connectors, then sterility is maintained, but electrical connection reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterility maintenanceVSAvoidelectrical connection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A sterile barrier acts as an intermediary element between the sterile location sensor and the non-sterile additional components. This barrier maintains the sterile field while allowing electrical signals to pass through, enabling connection without direct contact between sterile and non-sterile components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct mechanical contact between connectors with an electrical connection method that can function through a sterile barrier. This substitution allows the electrical pathway to be established without compromising the sterile boundary, maintaining both sterility and connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If the system uses a fixed non-modular design, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of repair and adaptability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem integration precisionVSAvoidcomponent replacement ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The connector interface is designed as a universal connection standard that can accommodate different components (location sensor, additional components) while maintaining consistent electrical and mechanical connection characteristics. This universality enables precise manufacturing of individual modules while allowing flexible assembly and replacement configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution enables efficient and sterile interconnection of catheter placement system components, reducing system costs and allowing for modular design, while maintaining sterility during procedures, thus improving the overall efficiency and reliability of catheter placement.

Implementation Method 1

The connector interface is configured to provide a plurality of electrically conductive pathways between the location sensor and additional components of the catheter placement system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS11026630B2Connector interface for ECG-based catheter positioning system

Publication Date: 2021.06.08 CR BARD INC

AI summary

A connector interface configured to enable component interconnection with a location sensor of a catheter placement system is disclosed. The catheter placement system is configured to assist a clinician in positioning a catheter in a desired location within a body of a patient. In one embodiment, the location sensor assembly comprises a location sensor body for temporary placement on a portion of the patient body, and a connector interface. The connector interface is configured to removably attach to the location sensor and provide a plurality of electrically conductive pathways between the location sensor and additional components of the catheter placement system to enable the additional components to operably connect with the location sensor. The connector interface further includes a first connector configured to operably connect with a second connector of one of the additional components of the catheter placement system through a drape interposed between the first and second connectors.