Electrode Basket Spline Layout for High-Density Circumferential Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrode baskets face challenges in achieving high latitudinal or circumferential electrode density due to limitations in spline number and spacing, which affects the precision of mapping and ablation procedures, particularly in non-circular anatomical structures like pulmonary veins.

Innovation Solution

The electrode basket features a plurality of splines with a highly pitched region, allowing for a more circumferential orientation between adjacent splines, thereby reducing inter-electrode spacing without increasing the number of splines, thus enhancing electrode density.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the number of splines is increased to achieve higher electrode density, then electrode density improves, but the diameter of the electrode basket increases making it difficult to deploy in smaller target locations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode densityVSAvoidbasket diameter

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a highly pitched region in the middle 50% of the spline length where electrodes are densely packed, while the proximal and distal portions maintain standard pitch. This allows high electrode density (8-16 electrodes) to be concentrated in a specific circumferential band without requiring all splines to be densely packed throughout their entire length, thus avoiding overall basket diameter increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the spline into three distinct regions: a proximal portion with standard pitch, a highly pitched middle region with increased circumferential orientation, and a distal portion with standard pitch. This segmentation allows the highly pitched region to provide high electrode density locally while the overall basket structure maintains a manageable diameter for deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Volume of moving object

If narrower splines are used to maintain basket diameter, then basket size remains manageable, but electrode size is limited reducing effectiveness for ablation and electroporation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebasket diameterVSAvoidelectrode size

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent allows electrodes in the highly pitched region to be sufficiently large for effective ablation and electroporation by concentrating them in a localized circumferential band. The standard pitch regions can use narrower spacing, while the highly pitched region accommodates larger electrodes (e.g., 0.5-2 mm diameter) needed for therapeutic applications without increasing overall basket diameter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If electrodes are placed on standard pitch splines, then manufacturing is simplified, but inter-electrode spacing between adjacent splines is too large to achieve continuous lesion formation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespline manufacturingVSAvoidinter-electrode spacing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a highly pitched region where splines are oriented more circumferentially, reducing the arc length between adjacent splines to approximately 45 degrees or less. This localized geometric modification achieves the required inter-electrode spacing for continuous lesion formation (electrodes spaced 1-4 mm apart) without complicating the overall manufacturing process, as only a portion of each spline requires the highly pitched configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Manufacturing precision

If spiral catheter is used to achieve high electrode density, then electrode spacing can be precisely controlled, but the catheter cants to one side causing misalignment with the central axis of the vein

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode spacingVSAvoidcatheter alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses asymmetric spline configuration with a highly pitched region that is oriented more circumferentially than the proximal and distal portions. This asymmetric pitch distribution allows the basket to maintain alignment with the central axis of the vein (unlike symmetric spiral catheters that cant to one side) while still achieving precise electrode spacing and high density in the target circumferential band.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS12539169B2Electrode basket having high-density circumferential band of electrodes

Publication Date: 2026.02.03 ST JUDE MEDICAL CARDILOGY DIV INC

AI summary

Described herein is an electrode basket for a catheter system. The electrode basket includes a proximal end and a distal end. A longitudinal axis of the electrode basket extends longitudinally through the proximal end and the distal end. The electrode basket also includes a plurality of splines extending from the proximal end to the distal end, each spline including a proximal portion extending at least partially longitudinally from the proximal end, a distal portion extending at least partially longitudinally from the distal end, a highly pitched region, and a plurality of electrodes. The highly pitched region is oriented more circumferentially than the proximal portion and the distal portion. Each of the plurality of electrodes is located within the highly pitched region such that a high-density circumferential band of electrodes is defined around the electrode basket.