Orthogonal ICE Catheter Steering for Intuitive Tip Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ICE catheters face challenges in steering control, particularly when the catheter is occluded by the body, as the movement of coaxial rings does not logically map to the movement of the catheter, making navigation difficult.
Innovation Solution
The steering mechanism employs orthogonally aligned actuators on the catheter handle, allowing for posterior/anterior and left/right movements in separate planes, facilitating easier control of the catheter tip orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional coaxial rings are used for steering control, then the catheter can be navigated through the body, but the movement of the rings does not logically map to the movement of the catheter, making navigation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-plane rotational control interface to a two-plane orthogonal control system. The first actuator controls movement in the first plane (e.g., anterior-posterior), while the second actuator controls movement in the second plane (e.g., left-right), creating a more intuitive spatial mapping between operator input and catheter movement that resolves the directional confusion of conventional coaxial rings
Solution Approach 2:
The steering control is divided into two independent actuator systems, each responsible for a specific plane of movement. This segmentation allows each actuator to be optimized for its specific directional control, making the overall system more intuitive to operate despite increased component count
2Measurement precision
If orthogonally aligned actuators are used for steering control, then the catheter tip orientation control is enhanced, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces orthogonal actuator arrangement where the first actuator is aligned in the first plane and the second actuator is aligned in the second plane, with the planes being orthogonal to each other. This three-dimensional orthogonal configuration enables precise control of catheter tip orientation in multiple directions simultaneously, achieving superior positioning precision despite the increased structural complexity
Data Source
AI summary
An intracardiac echocardiography (“ICE”) catheter handle, including a housing having a longitudinal axis, the housing having a proximal end and a distal end. A first actuator can be positioned on a first portion of the housing in a plane aligned with the longitudinal axis, the first actuator coupled to a first controller, the first actuator and first controller configured to control a catheter coupled to the first controller in a first direction and a second direction in the first plane. A second actuator can be positioned on a second portion of the housing in a second plane aligned with the longitudinal axis, the second actuator coupled to a second controller, the second actuator and second controller configured to control a catheter coupled to the second controller in a third direction and a fourth direction in the second plane, wherein first plane is aligned orthogonally to the second plane.