Flexible-Core EM Tracking Sensor for Breakage-Resistant Catheters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rigid magnetic cores in electromagnetic tracking sensors for medical devices are prone to breakage due to minor deflections, degrading or rendering them inoperable.

Innovation Solution

A flexible electromagnetic tracking sensor with a hollow core and/or channels on its surface, featuring a magnetic material layer and a wire coil, designed to enhance flexibility and durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid magnetic core is used in the electromagnetic tracking sensor, then the inductance and magnetic coupling are improved, but the sensor becomes prone to breakage under axial or torsional deflections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagnetic couplingVSAvoidbreakage resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the rigid magnetic core with a flexible magnetic core that can undergo axial and torsional deflections without breaking. This flexible core maintains the necessary magnetic coupling while providing the mechanical compliance needed to withstand deformations during medical procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material construction for the flexible magnetic core, combining magnetic material with flexible structural components. This allows the core to maintain magnetic properties while achieving the required flexibility and damage resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Measurement precision

If a rigid magnetic core is used in the electromagnetic tracking sensor, then the sensing capability is maintained, but the sensor is rendered inoperable after minor deflections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition tracking accuracyVSAvoidoperational durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible magnetic core enables the sensor to maintain its sensing capability throughout the procedure by accommodating deformations. The core's flexibility ensures that position tracking accuracy is preserved even when the sensor undergoes axial or torsional deflections during catheter navigation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic adaptability to the magnetic core, allowing it to change shape and flex with the catheter during insertion and navigation. This dynamic behavior prevents the sensor from becoming inoperable while maintaining measurement precision throughout the procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If a flexible core is used in the electromagnetic tracking sensor, then the flexibility and damage resistance are improved, but the magnetic coupling may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebreakage resistanceVSAvoidmagnetic coupling

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The composite material construction of the flexible magnetic core allows it to maintain strong magnetic coupling despite its flexibility. The combination of magnetic material with flexible structural components ensures that inductance and magnetic coupling are preserved while achieving the required mechanical compliance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes parameters of the flexible magnetic core, such as material composition, layer structure, and geometric configuration, to maintain strong magnetic coupling. By carefully controlling these parameters, the flexible core achieves both the required flexibility and sufficient magnetic coupling for accurate tracking.

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 flexible design reduces breakage and improves tracking performance, allowing the sensor to navigate tortuous paths with invasive medical devices like catheters.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic material layer attached to the interior surface of the flexible hollow cylinder core

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field generation: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

A wire coil is adjacent to, and circumferentially surrounds, the exterior surface of the flexible hollow cylinder core

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS12539195B2Electromagnetic tracking sensor having a flexible core, and methods for making same

Publication Date: 2026.02.03 BARD PERIPHERAL VASCULAR INC

AI summary

An electromagnetic tracking sensor for use in a medical device includes a flexible hollow cylinder core having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The flexible hollow cylinder core has a magnetic material layer attached to the interior surface of the flexible hollow cylinder core. A wire coil is adjacent to, and circumferentially surrounds, the exterior surface of the flexible hollow cylinder core.