Fluid Detection Assembly Using Propagation Delay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices, particularly catheters used in cryoablation procedures, face challenges in detecting fluid contamination, such as blood, which can pose significant risks to patients and are often addressed by complex configurations that increase the device's size and susceptibility to component drift, reducing reliability.
Innovation Solution
A fluid detection assembly utilizing a pair of detection wires and a controller to determine fluid contamination based on propagation delays, allowing for efficient detection of contaminants like blood and saline within the medical device, with the option to position these wires within a vacuum lumen or inter-cryoballoon space, and integrating a graphical display for clear indication of contamination presence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex configurations with numerous working components are used for fluid detection, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity and area requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fluid detection function from a complex multi-component system and implements it using a simple propagation delay measurement approach between two wires. This eliminates the need for numerous working components while maintaining detection capability through a streamlined system that measures time differences in signal propagation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical and electronic detection mechanisms with an electrical signal propagation-based detection system. By using electrical signals traveling through detection wires and measuring their propagation delay, the system achieves fluid detection without requiring complex mechanical sensors or multiple working components.
2Measurement precision
If numerous working components are integrated into the medical device, then detection functionality is enhanced, but the likelihood of long term component drift increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes multiple working components from the system and retains only the essential detection wires and controller. This reduction in component count directly decreases the likelihood of component drift while maintaining detection accuracy through the propagation delay measurement method.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection system uses the propagation delay of electrical signals through the detection wires as a self-indicating mechanism for fluid presence. The system serves itself by using the physical properties of the wires and fluid interaction to provide detection information without requiring additional complex sensing components that would drift over time.
3Measurement precision
If more working components are included in the detection system, then detection capability is improved, but the area required for component integration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from a space-consuming multi-component arrangement and implements it using two thin detection wires that can be positioned within existing catheter structures. This dramatically reduces the area required for component integration while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection wires are nested within existing catheter structures such as the vacuum lumen or inter-cryoballoon space. This nesting approach allows the detection system to utilize existing space within the catheter rather than requiring additional external area for component integration.
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 solution simplifies the detection process, reduces component drift, and enhances reliability by allowing more flexible placement of the detection system, improving the safety and effectiveness of cryoablation procedures while minimizing the risk of fluid contamination.
Implementation Method 1
The input first detection wire conducts a first electrical signal and the output first detection wire receives the first electrical signal. The controller receives the first electrical signal from the output first detection wire and determines a first propagation delay.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid detection assembly for detecting fluid contamination within a medical device includes a first pair of detection wires and a controller. The first pair of detection wires includes an input first detection wire and a spaced apart output first detection wire that are in fluid communication with one another. The input first detection wire conducts a first electrical signal and the output first detection wire receives the first electrical signal. The controller receives the first electrical signal from the output first detection wire and determines a first propagation delay. The controller can determine a type of fluid contamination, such as blood or saline, based on the first propagation delay. The fluid detection assembly can include a second pair of detection wires that is spaced apart from the first pair of detection wires.