EM-Tracked Intraluminal Imaging Catheters With Magnetic Noise Shielding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing intraluminal imaging devices, such as ICE and IVUS catheters, face challenges with electromagnetic noise interference, particularly affecting smaller electromagnetic position sensors, which compromises their spatial accuracy and orientation determination.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a shield with high magnetic permeability (80,000 to 400,000) and a multiplexer for electromagnetic noise reduction, which surrounds the wires extending from position sensors and processes signals to eliminate interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If electromagnetic position sensors are made smaller to reduce device size, then device miniaturization is improved, but electromagnetic noise interference increases and measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor sizeVSAvoidspatial accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

A magnetic shield is introduced as an intermediary component between the electromagnetic position sensors and the external electromagnetic environment. The shield, made of high-permeability material, acts as a mediator that redirects electromagnetic field lines around the sensors, protecting them from noise interference while allowing the sensors to remain small and maintain their spatial accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If electromagnetic position sensors are made smaller, then device complexity is reduced, but electromagnetic noise interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor configurationVSAvoidelectromagnetic noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic shield serves as a protective intermediary that isolates the simplified small sensors from electromagnetic noise. This allows the device to maintain low complexity with minimal sensor configuration while the shield handles the noise protection function, preventing noise from interfering with the simple sensor design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If a magnetic shield is added to reduce electromagnetic noise, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespatial accuracyVSAvoidshield structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic shield is implemented as a thin-walled tubular structure that provides effective electromagnetic noise protection while maintaining flexibility and minimizing structural complexity. The thin-walled design allows the shield to be integrated into the catheter without significantly increasing device complexity, while still achieving the desired measurement precision improvement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Object-affected harmful factors

If a magnetic shield with high magnetic permeability is used, then electromagnetic noise reduction is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectromagnetic noiseVSAvoidshield material specification

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The shield is designed with a specific permeability range (100 to 10,000) rather than requiring an extremely high permeability value. This parameter optimization allows effective noise reduction while accommodating broader manufacturing tolerances and more readily available materials, reducing the stringency of manufacturing precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively reduces electromagnetic noise interference, enhancing the spatial accuracy and orientation determination of electromagnetic position sensors, particularly for smaller sensors, thereby improving the precision of intraluminal imaging devices.

Implementation Method 1

The shield may be formed of a material having a magnetic permeability between about 80,000 and about 400,000

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic shielding: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

reduce electromagnetically induced noise in the wires

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS20250339127A1Intraluminal imaging devices with electromagnetic position tracking and reduced electromagnetic noise interference

Publication Date: 2025.11.06 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

Intraluminal imaging devices configured for electromagnetic position tracking are provided. In some aspects, intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) catheters, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) catheters, and/or other imaging devices having electromagnetic position tracking capabilities with reduced electromagnetic noise interference are provided. In some aspects, an intraluminal imaging device includes at least one of a shield having a magnetic permeability between about 80,000 and about 400,000 extending along a length of the device or a multiplexer positioned within a handle or the proximal portion of the device and configured to remove electromagnetically induced noise.