Expandable Catheter Electrode Panel for Precise Cardiac Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheter systems for cardiac arrhythmia treatment face challenges in efficiently mapping and ablating aberrant electrical pathways within the heart due to limitations in electrode design and positioning accuracy, particularly in navigating complex cardiac anatomy.
Innovation Solution
A catheter system with an expandable mechanical structure featuring a panel assembly that transitions between rolled and expanded states, equipped with electrodes and sensors, allows for precise mapping and ablation by providing real-time positional feedback and tissue contact, enhancing electrode placement and tissue interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional catheter electrodes are used, then the catheter can be inserted into cardiovascular structures, but the positioning accuracy and mapping precision are insufficient due to limited electrode design
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter employs an expandable basket structure that transitions from a compressed delivery state to an expanded working state. The electrodes are mounted on the expandable basket, allowing them to conform to the cardiovascular structure when expanded, thereby improving positioning accuracy and mapping precision while maintaining manageable complexity during delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a three-dimensional expandable basket structure with electrodes positioned on multiple surfaces of the basket. This dimensional transformation allows electrodes to contact the cardiovascular structure from multiple angles and positions simultaneously, significantly enhancing positioning accuracy and mapping capability compared to traditional linear electrode arrays.
2Ease of operation
If electrodes are placed in contact with cardiac tissue for ablation, then arrhythmia treatment can be performed, but navigation through complex cardiac anatomy becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable basket structure allows different sections of the catheter to have different properties. The distal basket with electrodes can expand to conform locally to the cardiovascular structure, providing precise local contact and mapping, while the proximal portion remains flexible for navigation. This local adaptation simplifies navigation while maintaining precise electrode placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic expandability of the basket structure enables the catheter to adapt its configuration during the procedure. During navigation, the basket remains compressed for ease of passage through complex anatomy. Upon reaching the target site, the basket expands to provide stable, precise electrode contact with the cardiovascular structure, achieving both navigation ease and placement precision.
3Measurement precision
If the catheter structure is made more complex to improve mapping and ablation capabilities, then treatment precision improves, but the device becomes harder to navigate and operate
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable basket structure with electrodes is nested within a delivery catheter in a compressed state for easy navigation and operation. Once the catheter reaches the target cardiovascular structure, the basket is deployed outward from the delivery catheter, transforming from a compact navigable form to an expanded functional form with high mapping precision, thus resolving the contradiction between operational ease and measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a catheter and an end effector. At least a portion of the catheter is sized and configured to fit within a lumen of a cardiovascular system. The end effector is positioned at a distal end of the catheter. The end effector includes a panel, a plurality of mapping electrodes positioned on a first surface of the panel, and a plurality of ablation electrodes positioned on the first surface of the panel. The mapping electrodes are configured to sense electrical potentials in tissue contacting the mapping electrodes. The ablation electrodes are operable to ablate tissue contacting the ablation electrodes.