High Density Electrode Cabling for Medical Catheters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical catheters face a challenge in minimizing diameter while accommodating a high number of sensors or electrodes, as the associated wiring limits the catheter's diameter reduction.
Innovation Solution
The development of cabling with n wires coiled in an n-start thread configuration, covered by a sheath, allows for a high density of electrodes to be attached, minimizing the catheter's diameter and enabling efficient signal transfer through insulated conductors or optical fibers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional wiring arrangements are used to accommodate multiple electrodes, then the number of electrodes can be increased, but the catheter diameter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from planar wire arrangements to a three-dimensional coiled configuration where wires are wrapped around a central core in multiple layers. This spatial transformation allows multiple electrodes to be densely packed along the catheter length without increasing diameter, effectively utilizing the longitudinal dimension to accommodate more electrodes within a compact cross-sectional footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire structure implements a nested configuration where multiple insulated wires are coiled around a central core, with each wire forming a helical layer. This nesting approach allows the wiring bundle to achieve high electrode density while maintaining a small overall diameter, as the wires are efficiently packed in concentric arrangements rather than requiring larger planar spacing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more electrodes are incorporated into the catheter, then the diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities are enhanced, but the complexity of the wiring structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coiled wire structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support for the electrodes, organizes the wiring bundle in a compact configuration, enables efficient signal routing, and maintains catheter flexibility. This multi-functional design reduces overall system complexity compared to separate dedicated structures for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
Each wire in the coiled arrangement is individually insulated and can be independently configured to connect to specific electrodes, allowing modular assembly. This segmentation enables flexible customization of electrode connections while maintaining a standardized coiled wiring structure, simplifying the integration process for different electrode configurations.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Electrode cabling, including a core and n wires coiled on the core in an arrangement topologically equivalent to an n-start thread configuration, wherein n is an integer greater than one. The cabling also includes a sheath covering the n wires and an electrode attached through the sheath to a given wire selected from the n wires.