EP Mapping Catheter Reference Electrode Layout for Cleaner Unipolar Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional unipolar EP mapping techniques face challenges in obtaining accurate reference potentials due to the pickup of local tissue potentials by the reference electrode, compromising the reliability of sensed signals.
Innovation Solution
A unipolar EP mapping catheter system with a reference electrode positioned to contact blood instead of tissue, providing a reliable reference potential by avoiding direct contact with tissue, thereby reducing far field signals and enhancing signal accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a reference electrode contacts tissue to obtain reference potential, then the reference potential can be obtained, but local tissue potentials are picked up which compromises signal reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces blood as an intermediary medium between the reference electrode and tissue. The reference electrode contacts blood rather than tissue directly, using blood as a mediator to obtain reference potential without picking up local tissue potentials. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining measurement capability while eliminating the harmful interference from tissue potentials.
2Ease of operation
If conventional unipolar EP mapping is used, then the mapping procedure can be performed, but far field signals contaminate the sensed signals reducing accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful far field signals by repositioning the reference electrode to contact blood instead of tissue. This extraction of the reference electrode from direct tissue contact removes the source of far field signal contamination while maintaining the unipolar mapping procedure's feasibility.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a shaft and an end effector at a distal end of the shaft. The end effector has a distal end and a proximal end with a longitudinal intermediate point between the distal and proximal ends. The end effector is sized to fit in an anatomical passageway within a cardiovascular system. The end effector includes at least one sensor electrode and a reference electrode. The at least one sensor electrode is configured to contact cardiovascular tissue and thereby pick up potentials. The reference electrode is configured to pick up a potential from fluid in contact with the reference electrode. The reference electrode is located proximal to the longitudinal intermediate point of the end effector. The end effector is configured to prevent the reference electrode from contacting tissue.