Modular Processing Modules for Catheter Signal Acquisition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional diagnostic catheter devices face challenges in efficiently acquiring and processing electrophysiological signals due to issues like electromagnetic interference, signal anomalies, and the complexity of wire bundles, which can lead to structural constraints and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

The development of a medical device comprising a control system, multiple processing modules, and a wire bundle with control lines and data lines, where each processing module is coupled to a set of sensors to capture and process analog physiological signals, and the control system initiates a data collection cycle by generating control signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional diagnostic catheter device uses a wire bundle to connect sensing electrodes to the connector, then the electrophysiological signals can be transmitted to the external processing system, but the wire bundle complexity increases device complexity and manufacturing difficulty

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal transmission reliabilityVSAvoidwire bundle complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate wire connections into integrated processing modules that contain both sensing electrodes and signal processing circuitry. This merging reduces the number of separate wire connections needed while maintaining reliable signal transmission from the catheter tip to the external processing system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the catheter into modular processing modules, each containing sensing electrodes and processing circuitry. This segmentation allows independent processing at each module while reducing the overall wire bundle complexity by localizing connections within each module rather than requiring a single complex wire bundle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If conventional catheter devices use external processing systems connected via cables, then signal processing can be performed, but electromagnetic interference and signal anomalies increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal processing accuracyVSAvoidelectromagnetic interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces processing modules as intermediary components between the sensing electrodes and the external processing system. These modules perform initial signal processing locally, filtering and conditioning the signals before transmission, thereby reducing electromagnetic interference and signal anomalies that would occur with direct external connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection system with an integrated processing module that uses shorter, more controlled internal connections. This substitution reduces the exposure of signals to electromagnetic interference over long cable lengths while maintaining processing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional catheter devices have complex wire bundles, then connections can be made, but manufacturing precision and ease of manufacture decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter manufacturing easeVSAvoidwire bundle assembly precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the sensing electrodes, processing circuitry, and connections into integrated processing modules. This merging simplifies manufacturing by reducing the number of separate wire bundle components that need to be assembled with high precision, while maintaining the required manufacturing precision for the integrated modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 enables efficient acquisition and processing of physiological signals, reduces electromagnetic interference, and simplifies the wire bundle, thereby addressing the structural and cost-related challenges of conventional systems.

Implementation Method 1

sensors arranged to interface with a biological tissue site, wherein the sensors are configured to capture analog physiological signals generated from the biological tissue site

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS20250140398A1Medical devices with circuitry for capturing and processing physiological signals

Publication Date: 2025.05.01 AUTONOMIX MEDICAL INC

AI summary

A medical device comprises a control system, processing modules, and a wire bundle connecting the control system to the processing modules, the wire bundle comprising control lines and data lines. Each processing module is coupled to a respective set of sensors arranged to interface with a biological tissue site, the sensors being configured to capture analog physiological signals generated from the biological tissue site. The control system is configured to generate a control signal on the control lines to initiate a data collection cycle by the processing modules. In response to the control signal, each processing module is configured to perform a respective data collection process which comprises (i) capturing and processing an analog physiological signal on each enabled sensor to generate a data sample for each analog physiological signal captured on each enabled sensor, and (ii) outputting data samples to the control system on the data lines.