Glass Catheter Force Sensor for Precise Tissue Contact Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheter devices lack reliable and accurate methods for measuring force effects, which are crucial for determining contact with tissue and the force applied during procedures like ablation therapy.
Innovation Solution
A catheter device with a transducer body made of glass material, featuring optical fiber gratings connected to transducer portions, allows for precise force measurement by detecting deformations through optical gratings, and is designed to measure forces along predefined spatial directions using 3D printing and sintering processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional transducer materials are used, then manufacturing is easier, but measurement precision and stability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the transducer body from traditional materials to glass material, which fundamentally improves measurement precision and stability. This parameter change enables accurate force measurement while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through specialized glass processing techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs glass material as a composite solution that combines optical properties with mechanical properties. The glass transducer body integrates optical waveguide capabilities with structural functionality, achieving both precise measurement and manufacturability through material composition optimization.
2Measurement precision
If optical fiber sensor devices are added to measure force, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the transducer body and optical fiber sensor device into an integrated structure. The optical waveguide is embedded within the glass transducer body, combining structural and sensing functions into a single component, thereby improving force measurement capability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The glass transducer body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, acts as an optical waveguide for signal transmission, and enables force measurement through its deformation properties. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, managing device complexity while enhancing measurement capability.
3Reliability
If glass material is used for transducer body, then measurement stability and MR compatibility are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter to glass, which inherently provides superior long-term stability and magnetic resonance compatibility. The manufacturing process is adapted to work with glass material properties, achieving reliable fabrication despite higher precision requirements through specialized glass processing techniques.
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 reliable and accurate force measurement, ensuring stable long-term operation and compatibility with magnetic resonance imaging, while minimizing signal artifacts and temperature-induced errors.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor device has an optical fibre, in particular in the form of a glass fibre, on which at least one optical device for measuring a force effect between the transducer portions of the at least one pair of adjacent transducer portions is formed
Implementation Method 2
The sensor device is designed to measure a force effect between the transducer portions of the at least one pair of adjacent transducer portions
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A catheter device (1) comprises a measuring device for measuring a force effect on the catheter device (1). The measuring device comprises an elastically deformable transducer body (15) with a plurality of transducer portions (150-153) and a sensor device arranged on the transducer body (15). The transducer portions (150-153) form at least one pair of adjacent transducer portions (150-153), which are connected to each other via a connecting portion (154-156) and are movable relative to each other with deformation of the connecting portion (154-156). The sensor device is designed to measure a force effect between the transducer portions (150-153) of the at least one pair of adjacent transducer portions (154-156). The transducer body (15) is made of a glass material.