Fiber-Optic Force-Sensing Catheter for Ablation Contact Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing catheter-based ablation therapies for cardiac arrhythmias face challenges in accurately determining and controlling the contact force between the catheter tip and myocardial tissue, leading to inconsistent lesion formation and potential tissue damage.

Innovation Solution

A force-sensing catheter system with a deformable body and fiber-optic sensors that measure deformation to determine the force applied to the catheter tip, using processor circuitry to calculate and display the contact force, providing feedback to clinicians.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If contact force between catheter tip and myocardial tissue is increased to improve ablation efficacy, then ablation effectiveness is improved, but risk of tissue damage and excessive ablation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveablation effectivenessVSAvoidtissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism by incorporating force sensing capability into the catheter tip. The sensor detects the contact force between the catheter tip and myocardial tissue in real-time, and this information is fed back to the control system. The control system then adjusts the ablation energy delivery based on the detected force, ensuring that ablation is performed only when appropriate contact force is achieved, thereby preventing both insufficient ablation and excessive tissue damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical assessment of contact force with an optical sensing system. Instead of relying on clinician judgment or mechanical force sensors, the invention uses fiber optic sensors that detect contact force through optical measurements. This substitution provides more precise, real-time measurement of contact force, enabling better control over the ablation process and reducing the risk of harmful excessive force application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If contact force is reduced to prevent tissue damage, then tissue safety is improved, but ablation efficacy is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue damageVSAvoidablation efficacy

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback mechanism ensures that ablation energy is delivered only when the force sensor detects appropriate contact force between the catheter tip and tissue. This prevents premature ablation when contact is insufficient, while also preventing excessive force application that could cause tissue damage. The system continuously monitors and adjusts based on real-time force measurements, optimizing both safety and efficacy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary assessment of contact force before initiating ablation energy delivery. The force sensor evaluates whether appropriate contact has been achieved, and only after this preliminary check confirms sufficient contact does the system proceed with ablation. This preliminary action ensures that ablation is never performed without proper tissue contact, preventing both ineffective ablation and unsafe conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If manual feedback and impedance measurements are used for catheter positioning, then system complexity is reduced, but mapping accuracy deteriorates due to contact force artifacts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidmapping accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical impedance measurements with optical-based force sensing for catheter positioning and contact detection. The fiber optic sensor measures contact force through optical properties rather than electrical impedance, eliminating the artifacts that contact force introduces into impedance-based mapping. This substitution maintains relatively simple system architecture while dramatically improving mapping accuracy by removing the source of measurement errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enhances the precision of ablation therapies by ensuring consistent force application, improving lesion uniformity and reducing the risk of tissue damage.

Implementation Method 1

a deformable body that deforms in response to the force applied

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

a fiber-optic force sensor that detects components of the deformation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical fiber sensing: Optical Fibre

Data Source

PatentUS12564357B2Force sensing catheter system

Publication Date: 2026.03.03 ST JUDE MEDICAL INT HLDG SARL

AI summary

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward systems and methods for detecting force applied to a distal tip of a medical catheter. A medical catheter includes a deformable body near a distal tip of the catheter that deforms in response to a force applied at the distal tip, and a sensor detects various components of the deflection. Processor circuitry may then, based on the detected components of the deformation, determine a force applied to the distal tip of the catheter.