Flexible Medical Probe with Single-Axis Coils for Cardiac Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing invasive medical probes face challenges in accurately mapping electrical activation times within the heart due to the size of position-sensing coils and the need for calibration, which impedes navigation and measurement, particularly in the context of cardiac catheters used for diagnosing and treating arrhythmias.
Innovation Solution
A flexible medical probe with a plurality of fine wire coils spirally disposed about a backbone, which generates signals in response to an external magnetic field, allowing for position coordinate determination without orthogonal coils or special calibration, and can be constructed with a smaller diameter than conventional probes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple electrodes are used to measure electrical potentials simultaneously at different locations in the endocardium, then activation time mapping is performed more rapidly and conveniently, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple electrodes are integrated onto a single flexible catheter shaft, combining multiple measurement functions into one navigable device. This allows simultaneous measurement of electrical potentials at multiple locations while maintaining the ability to navigate through the heart's vascular system.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter is constructed with flexible materials that allow it to conform to the contours of the endocardial surface. This flexibility enables the multiple electrodes to maintain optimal contact with the heart tissue while navigating through complex anatomical structures.
2Device complexity
If a single movable electrode sensor is used inside the heart, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement time increases and radiation exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple electrodes are pre-positioned along the catheter shaft before insertion, so that when the catheter is placed in the heart, all electrodes are simultaneously available for measurement. This eliminates the need to sequentially move a single electrode through different positions, significantly reducing mapping time.
3Measurement precision
If orthogonal sensing coils are used to determine position, then measurement precision is improved, but the coil size and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The position sensing function is extracted from the electrical measurement function. Separate thin wire coils are used solely for position determination, while separate electrodes handle electrical potential measurement. This separation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter is segmented into multiple functional elements along its length, with position sensing coils and electrical sensing electrodes distributed at different locations. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each sensing function and enables precise position determination without requiring large orthogonal coil assemblies.
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
Enables precise and rapid determination of position coordinates along the probe length, facilitating improved navigation and measurement without the need for large coils or complex calibration, thus enhancing diagnostic accuracy and reducing radiation exposure.
Implementation Method 1
the coils generate signals responsive to bending of the probe
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a narrow elongate probe is adapted for insertion into the body of a living subject. The probe may be flexible and has a plurality of sensors consisting of single coils of very fine wire wound about a backbone of the probe, which transmit signals proximally via fine connecting wires to a position processor. The position processor analyzes the signals to determine position coordinates at multiple points along the length of the probe.