Optic-Based Catheter Contact Sensing Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current catheter systems face challenges in ensuring consistent mechanical contact between the electrode and tissue, particularly in dynamic environments like a beating heart, leading to potential false positive outcomes due to deflection of the catheter shaft rather than electrode-tissue contact.
Innovation Solution
An optic-based catheter system with an optical sensor that detects changes in reflected light from an optically interactive surface on the electrode, allowing for precise measurement of contact force and orientation using a flexible coupling member and fiber assembly to emit and receive light energy, processing changes in intensity to determine force vectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If remotely placed sensors are used to detect contact, then contact detection capability is provided, but false positive outcomes occur when catheter wall contacts tissue instead of electrode
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact sensing with optical sensing. An optical sensor detects contact by measuring changes in reflected light from an optically interactive surface on the electrode, rather than relying on mechanical deflection of the catheter shaft. This substitution eliminates false positives caused by catheter wall contact while maintaining accurate electrode-tissue contact detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optically interactive surface as an intermediary between the electrode and the optical sensor. This surface reflects light back to the sensor, creating an optical pathway that directly correlates with electrode position and contact status, thereby eliminating the need for remote mechanical sensing and reducing false positives.
2Ease of operation
If the catheter is manipulated in the heart, then the ability to reach and contact tissue is improved, but the catheter shaft may deflect and cause false contact signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical deflection-based sensing with optical sensing. The optical sensor detects contact through light reflection changes from the optically interactive surface on the electrode, which is directly coupled to the electrode rather than the catheter shaft. This eliminates the problem of shaft deflection during manipulation causing false contact signals, while maintaining full catheter maneuverability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the electrode is positioned 150 cm away from the operator's application point, then the ability to treat endocardial tissue is improved, but ensuring constant mechanical contact becomes difficult due to heart movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact monitoring with optical sensing. The optical sensor continuously monitors contact status by detecting light reflection changes from the optically interactive surface on the electrode, providing reliable contact detection even when the electrode is positioned far from the operator and subjected to heart movement, thereby ensuring consistent endocardial treatment.
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 reduces the likelihood of false positive contact detections by accurately measuring contact force and orientation between the electrode and tissue, enhancing the reliability of procedures like ablation and visualization in dynamic environments.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor that detects changes in reflected energy, such as light, from an optically interactive surface provided by an electrode
Implementation Method 2
a fiber assembly for carrying optical energy, such as light, emitted and received from the optical sensor
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
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AI summary
The invention relates to an optic-based sensing assembly and a system incorporating the assembly and related use of the assembly. In particular, the invention relates to an optic-based catheter assembly (10) and related system used to determine contact between a catheter (12) and surrounding proximate environment, such as tissue. An embodiment of such a system may, for example, be used for visualization, mapping, ablation, or other methods of diagnosis and treatment of tissue and/or surrounding areas.