Multi-Sensor Catheter with Optical Pressure Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pulmonary artery catheters measure pressure only at a single point, are inaccurate due to technical limitations, and can disrupt heart function during repositioning, leading to cardiac arrhythmias and measurement errors.
Innovation Solution
A multi-sensor catheter with optical pressure sensors spaced along its length for concurrent blood pressure measurements in the right atrium, right ventricle, and pulmonary artery, using optical fibers and a control system for real-time data processing and graphical display of hemodynamic parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional pulmonary artery catheters are used to measure pressure at a single point, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision is insufficient and cannot provide concurrent measurements in multiple cardiac chambers
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into multiple sensing segments along its length, with pressure sensors positioned at different locations to simultaneously measure pressures in the right atrium, right ventricle, and pulmonary artery. This segmentation allows concurrent multi-location measurements without requiring multiple separate catheters.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter is designed to perform multiple measurement functions simultaneously - measuring pressures in different cardiac chambers and the pulmonary artery through a single device. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate catheters for each measurement location.
2Reliability
If conventional catheters are repositioned to measure pressures in different locations, then the device complexity remains simple, but this causes disruption to heart function leading to cardiac arrhythmias
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple pressure sensors are pre-positioned at predetermined locations along the catheter before insertion. This preliminary positioning ensures that all necessary measurement points are already in place, eliminating the need for subsequent repositioning maneuvers that could disrupt heart function.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter enables continuous, simultaneous measurement of pressures in multiple cardiac chambers without interruption or repositioning. This continuous action maintains measurement reliability while avoiding the harmful effects of repeated catheter manipulation.
3Measurement precision
If conventional catheters are used for pressure measurements, then the device structure is simple, but measurement errors occur due to inaccuracies in single-point measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter incorporates multiple pressure sensing segments at different locations along its length, allowing simultaneous measurement of pressures in the right atrium, right ventricle, and pulmonary artery. This segmentation provides comprehensive hemodynamic data from a single device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical fiber-based sensing system as an intermediary between the pressure measurement points and the external monitoring system. This optical intermediary enables accurate transmission of pressure data from multiple internal sensors without electrical interference.
4Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are integrated into the catheter for concurrent measurements, then the measurement precision and reliability improve, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple pressure sensors and optical fibers are nested within the catheter structure, with sensors positioned at different depths and locations along the catheter shaft. This nested arrangement accommodates multiple sensing elements within the constrained catheter geometry while maintaining their functional independence.
Solution Approach 2:
Optical fibers serve as intermediaries that carry signals from the pressure sensors to external detection systems. This optical intermediary simplifies the integration of multiple sensors by providing a common signal transmission medium that avoids electrical interference and simplifies manufacturing.
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
Enables accurate, direct, and continuous measurement of cardiovascular parameters, reducing the risk of cardiac arrhythmias and improving diagnostic precision during right heart and pulmonary artery catheterization procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of optical sensors and a plurality of optical fibers; a sensor end of each optical fiber being attached and optically coupled to an individual one of the plurality of optical sensors
Data Source
AI summary
A system and apparatus comprising a multi-sensor catheter for right heart and pulmonary artery catheterization is disclosed. The multi-sensor catheter comprises multi-lumen catheter tubing into which at least three optical pressure sensors, and their respective optical fibers, are inserted. The three optical pressure sensors are arranged within a distal end portion of the catheter, spaced apart lengthwise within the distal end portion for measuring pressure concurrently at each sensor location. The sensor locations are configured for placement of at least one sensor in each of the right atrium, the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery, for concurrent measurement of pressure at each sensor location. The sensor arrangement may further comprise an optical thermo-dilution sensor, and another lumen is provided for fluid injection for thermo-dilution measurements. The catheter may comprise an inflatable balloon tip and a guidewire lumen, and preferably has an outside diameter of 6 French or less.