Magnetic Catheter Position Sensing for Intravascular Pressure Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Intravascular imaging and pressure measurement systems face inaccuracies due to the difficulty in accurately determining the translation velocity and position of catheter components, leading to errors in position-dependent information and potential blockages caused by the catheter itself during procedures like FFR measurements.
Innovation Solution
A system with a catheter equipped with magnetic domains on its cable, a magnetic pickup, and an intravascular processing engine that combines sensor information with position signals to accurately determine the catheter's position and velocity, allowing for precise monitoring and minimization of catheter-induced blockages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a catheter is used to measure pressure gradient across a lesion, then pressure measurements can be obtained, but the catheter introduces additional blockage that exaggerates the measured pressure gradient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pressure measurement system with a magnetic field-based sensing system. A magnetic sensor (e.g., Hall effect sensor) detects the position of a magnet attached to the catheter tip, eliminating the need for mechanical pressure sensors that physically obstruct blood flow. This substitution removes the source of catheter-induced blockage while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the catheter position and the measurement system. Instead of directly measuring pressure with a physical sensor in the blood flow path, the system uses magnetic field interaction to indirectly determine catheter position and infer pressure gradient information, thereby avoiding direct mechanical interference with blood flow.
2Productivity
If translation velocity of catheter components is not accurately determined, then imaging and pressure measurements can be performed, but errors are introduced in position-dependent information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where the magnetic sensor continuously monitors catheter position and provides real-time position information to the control system. This feedback loop enables accurate determination of translation velocity by comparing position changes over time, ensuring that imaging and pressure measurements are correctly correlated with catheter position without introducing errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical encoders or position sensors with a magnetic field-based position detection system. The magnetic sensor detects the position of a magnet on the catheter through non-contact means, eliminating mechanical friction and wear while providing high-resolution position feedback for accurate velocity calculation and position-dependent measurement correlation.
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
This solution enhances the accuracy of intravascular procedures by providing reliable position sensing, reducing errors in imaging and pressure measurements, and improving the precision of interventions like stent placement and lesion assessment.
Implementation Method 1
A system with a catheter equipped with magnetic domains on its cable, a magnetic pickup, and an intravascular processing engine that combines sensor information with position signals
Data Source
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AI summary
Intravascular systems can include a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, a sensor located at the distal end configured to provide sensor information representative of one or more intravascular properties of a patient, and a plurality of magnetic domains. A magnetic pickup can be configured to output a pickup signal based on the magnetic field at the magnetic pickup produced by the plurality of magnetic domains. An intravascular processing engine can be in communication with the catheter sensor and the magnetic pickup. The intravascular processing engine can receive sensor information from the sensor and a position signal representative of the pickup signal. The intravascular processing engine can be used to determine position information related to the position of the catheter sensor and combine the received sensor information and corresponding determined position information.