Medical Device Electrode Cleaning via DC Current
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrode cleaning systems for medical devices, such as catheters, often leave residual material layers after sterilization and are not suitable for immediate use in clinical settings due to the need for industrial equipment and separate bath electrodes, which can result in poor electrogram rendering and modeling distortion.
Innovation Solution
A portable electrode cleaning system that includes a medical device with multiple electrodes, a fluid reservoir containing an electrolytic solution, and a cleaning device capable of channeling a DC current between electrodes submerged in the solution, eliminating the need for a separate bath electrode and allowing for sterility maintenance in clinical settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If industrial electro-cleaning systems with separate bath electrodes are used, then electrode cleaning capability is achieved, but device complexity and ease of operation are worsened due to requiring separate bath electrodes and industrial equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cleaning electrode functionality directly into the medical device electrodes themselves. The medical device electrodes serve dual purposes: as functional electrodes for patient treatment and as cleaning electrodes for the electro-polishing process. This eliminates the need for separate bath electrodes and industrial cleaning equipment, resolving the technical contradiction by maintaining cleaning capability while reducing system complexity.
2Reliability
If sterilization procedures are applied after electro-cleaning, then sterility is achieved, but residual material layers remain on electrodes worsening electrogram quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs electro-cleaning immediately before the electrodes are packaged for sterilization, rather than after. This preliminary cleaning action ensures that the electrode surfaces are cleaned while still accessible, and the subsequent sterilization process occurs in a controlled packaging environment that prevents recontamination. This sequence resolves the contradiction by maintaining both sterility and surface cleanliness.
3Manufacturing precision
If industrial electro-cleaning systems are used, then cleaning effectiveness is achieved, but ease of operation and adaptability are worsened due to inability to use in clinical settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the medical device electrodes universally functional by enabling them to serve both their primary clinical function and their cleaning function. The electrodes are designed to be electro-polished in the same electrolyte solution used for their operational function, allowing the same device to be cleaned effectively in clinical settings without requiring separate industrial cleaning equipment. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining cleaning effectiveness while achieving clinical adaptability.
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 system effectively cleans electrodes, reducing residual material layers and enabling immediate use in clinical settings while maintaining sterility, thereby improving electrogram quality and reducing modeling distortion.
Implementation Method 1
electro-cleaning, or electro-polishing, may be used to clean electrode surfaces... conduct a current between the electrode to be cleaned and a separate, sacrificial anode/cathode located in the bath
Data Source
AI summary
An electrode cleaning system includes a medical device including a plurality of electrodes, a fluid reservoir including an electrolytic solution, and a cleaning device. The cleaning device is electrically coupled to the medical device, and is configured to channel a DC current between at least one pair of electrodes of the plurality of electrodes when the plurality of electrodes are submerged in the fluid reservoir.