Multi-Form Spline Catheter for Adaptable Cardiac Tissue Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheters with rigid structures complicate procedures by requiring multiple devices for different heart chamber tasks and pose trauma risks due to insufficient tissue contact and deformation.
Innovation Solution
A catheter with an expandable assembly of resilient splines that can change shape using a flexible puller, allowing for sufficient tissue contact and adaptable forms for various heart chamber tasks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid catheter is used, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability to different heart regions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter employs an expandable basket assembly with resilient splines that can dynamically change shape between a compressed state for navigation and an expanded state for stable contact with heart tissue. The splines are configured to bow outward when expanded, providing both structural stability and adaptability to different heart region geometries.
2Strength
If a rigid catheter is used, then structural support is improved, but tissue contact quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter utilizes thin, flexible spline elements that can deform to conform to the irregular surfaces of heart tissue. These resilient splines maintain structural integrity while adapting their shape to ensure reliable electrode-tissue contact for accurate mapping and ablation procedures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a shape-changing catheter is used, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into modular components including an expandable basket assembly with multiple independent resilient splines. Each spline can move and deform independently, allowing the overall structure to adapt to various heart region shapes while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
4Adaptability or versatility
If an expandable basket assembly is used, then tissue accommodation is improved, but procedural time deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The basket assembly is pre-configured with resilient splines that are biased to bow outward upon expansion. This preliminary structural preparation allows for rapid deployment and automatic adaptation to heart tissue geometry, reducing the time required for positioning and contact establishment during the procedure.
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 catheter provides flexible and deformable contact with heart tissue, enhancing mapping and ablation efficacy while reducing procedural complexity and trauma risk.
Implementation Method 1
an expandable assembly (22) comprising a plurality of resilient splines (24), each resilient spline including at least one electrode (26) disposed thereon, the resilient splines being disposed circumferentially around the distal portion of the puller, with first ends (28) of the splines being coupled with the distal end of the deflectable element and second ends (30) of the splines coupled with the distal portion of the puller, the splines being configured to: bow radially outward when expanded
Data Source
AI summary
In one exemplary mode, a catheter apparatus includes an elongated deflectable element including a distal end, a flexible puller including a distal portion, and configured to be retracted through the deflectable element, and an expandable assembly including a plurality of resilient splines, each resilient spline including at least one electrode disposed thereon, the resilient splines being disposed circumferentially around the distal portion of the puller, with first ends of the splines being coupled with the distal end of the deflectable element and second ends of the splines coupled with the distal portion of the puller, the splines being configured to bow radially outward in a relaxed form of the expandable assembly and bow further radially outward when the puller is retracted expanding the expandable assembly from the relaxed form to an expanded form.