Optical Multi-Sensor Catheter for Right-Heart Pressure Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional PA catheters measure pressure only at a single point, requiring repositioning, which can disrupt heart function and are prone to measurement inaccuracies due to fluid-filled systems and electrical interference, posing risks like cardiac arrhythmias and distorted waveforms.
Innovation Solution
A multi-sensor catheter with optical pressure sensors and optical fibers, allowing concurrent measurements in the right atrium and pulmonary artery, using a multi-lumen design with a guidewire lumen and inflatable balloon, and a control system for real-time graphical display of pressure waveforms and hemodynamic parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional PA catheters use fluid-filled systems with single-point pressure sensors, then the device complexity is low, but measurement precision deteriorates due to fluid transmission errors and electrical interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional fluid-filled mechanical pressure transmission system with optical sensors that directly detect pressure at multiple points along the catheter. This substitution eliminates fluid transmission errors, air bubbles, and electrical interference, significantly improving measurement precision while the multi-sensor array increases device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the single pressure measurement function into multiple segmented sensors distributed along the catheter length. Each sensor segment independently measures pressure at its location, enabling simultaneous multi-point measurements and eliminating the need for repositioning, thereby improving measurement accuracy and temporal resolution
2Loss of time
If conventional catheters require repositioning to measure pressure at different locations, then the device complexity remains low, but loss of time increases due to repeated manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter incorporates multiple pressure sensors segmented along its length, each capable of independent pressure measurement. This segmentation allows simultaneous acquisition of pressure data from multiple cardiac locations without requiring catheter repositioning, dramatically reducing time loss while increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-sensor configuration enables continuous pressure monitoring at multiple locations simultaneously, eliminating the discontinuous repositioning actions required by conventional single-sensor catheters. This continuous measurement capability reduces procedural time and maintains uninterrupted hemodynamic data collection
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional catheters are repositioned frequently to obtain measurements at different heart locations, then measurement coverage improves, but object-affected harmful factors increase due to cardiac arrhythmias and heart function disruption
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the pressure sensing capability across multiple fixed sensor locations along the catheter, the system achieves comprehensive measurement coverage without requiring physical repositioning. This eliminates the mechanical disturbance to cardiac function and reduces arrhythmia risk while maintaining adaptability to measure pressures in the right atrium, right ventricle, and pulmonary artery simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter is pre-configured with sensors positioned at optimal locations for measuring pressures in different cardiac chambers and vessels. This preliminary arrangement of measurement points allows comprehensive hemodynamic assessment from a single catheter placement, eliminating the need for subsequent repositioning that could disrupt heart function
4Measurement precision
If conventional fluid-filled pressure systems are used, then manufacturing precision requirements are low, but measurement precision deteriorates due to air bubbles, kinks, and fluid transmission errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the fluid-filled mechanical pressure transmission lumen with optical sensing elements that directly detect pressure. This substitution eliminates the need for precise fluid-filled lumen construction, removing air bubbles, kinks, and fluid transmission errors from the measurement system, thereby improving pressure waveform accuracy while reducing manufacturing precision requirements for the pressure transmission pathway
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, real-time, and concurrent blood pressure measurements in multiple heart locations, reducing the need for catheter repositioning and minimizing cardiac disruption, while providing precise hemodynamic data for improved diagnostic accuracy.
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 comprising a multi-sensor catheter for monitoring a cardiac hemodynamic condition, e.g. heart failure. The multi-sensor catheter comprises multi-lumen catheter tubing, first and second optical pressure sensors, and respective optical fibers and connectors. For right heart and pulmonary artery catheterization, a flow-directed multi-sensor catheter comprises a guidewire lumen, inflatable balloon tip, and sensor locations are configured for placement of a sensor in each of the right atrium and pulmonary artery, for measurement of central venous pressure in the right atrium and a pulmonary artery pressure. An optical fiber for oximetry may be included. The outside diameter is small enough for insertion through a vein of the arm. For monitoring of a cardiac shunt, sensors are configured for measuring pressures upstream and downstream of the cardiac shunt, e.g. in left and right atria, or left atrium and coronary sinus.