Contact Force Sensor With Tuned Amplifiers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical probes, such as cardiac ablation catheters, face challenges in accurately sensing contact force between the probe and tissue due to interference from noise signals, which reduces the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and affects the sensitivity of contact force calculations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a contact force sensor with a transmitter and multiple receiving antennas, each coupled to a narrow-band amplifier with a resonant circuit, which amplifies specific frequency signals to improve the SNR and accurately estimate deflection and contact force, using a processor to calculate and display the contact force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If narrow-band amplifiers with resonant circuits are used to amplify specific frequency signals, then the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is improved and measurement precision is enhanced, but the device complexity increases due to the addition of multiple tuned amplifiers and resonant circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing narrow-band amplification specifically at the receiver end where signal processing is needed, rather than throughout the entire system. Each receiving antenna is paired with a dedicated tuned amplifier having a resonant circuit tuned to the transmitter frequency, providing localized signal enhancement exactly where required for contact force measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by tuning the resonant circuits of the narrow-band amplifiers to specific frequencies matching the transmitter. This frequency-based parameter adjustment allows the amplifiers to selectively amplify desired signals while attenuating noise, thereby improving SNR and measurement precision without requiring complex broadband processing.
2Measurement precision
If multiple receiving antennas with narrow-band amplifiers are implemented, then the sensitivity of contact force calculations is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the receiving end into multiple independent antenna-amplifier units, each handling a specific signal path. This modular segmentation allows for improved measurement sensitivity through multiple signal samples while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing of individual units that can be assembled into the complete sensor system.
3Reliability
If tuned amplifiers are used to reduce noise interference, then the signal-to-noise ratio increases and measurement reliability improves, but the device complexity and circuit configuration become more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs resonant circuits in the narrow-band amplifiers that utilize electrical resonance (analogous to mechanical vibration) at the transmitter frequency. This resonant tuning creates a natural frequency selection mechanism that automatically filters noise without requiring complex active filtering circuits, thereby improving reliability while keeping the circuit configuration relatively simple.
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 enhances the sensitivity and accuracy of contact force sensing, improving procedures like radio-frequency ablation and electro-potential mapping by reducing noise interference and increasing the signal-to-noise ratio of force signals.
Implementation Method 1
each of the narrow-band amplifiers includes a respective resonant circuit, which is coupled to the FET and has a resonant frequency that matches the given range of frequencies
Implementation Method 2
The transmitter is coupled to the first end and is configured to transmit signals in a given range of frequencies
Data Source
AI summary
A probe includes an elastic element having first and second ends, a transmitter, one or more receiving antennas and one or more narrow-band amplifiers. The transmitter is coupled to the first end and is configured to transmit signals in a given range of frequencies. The one or more receiving antennas are coupled to the second end and are configured to receive the signals. The one or more narrow-band amplifiers have a pass-band that matches the given range of frequencies and are configured to amplify the signals received by the one or more receiving antennas, respectively.