High-Permeability Antennas for Stronger Catheter Position Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical positioning systems face challenges in increasing the signal strength of position sensors within medical devices due to space constraints and limitations in magnetic flux density, particularly in devices with small diameters like catheters and guide wires.
Innovation Solution
The use of high-permeability antennas positioned adjacent to or outside the position sensor coils to concentrate magnetic flux, enhancing the signal output without increasing the device's diameter or compromising flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a high permeability core is positioned within the coil winding to increase magnetic flux density, then the signal strength of the position sensor is improved, but the device diameter increases and flexibility is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from placing the high permeability core inside the coil (one-dimensional solution) to positioning it outside the coil (moving to another spatial dimension). This external positioning allows the core to concentrate magnetic flux onto the coil without occupying internal space, thereby maintaining signal strength improvement while avoiding increased device diameter and preserving flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The high permeability core acts as an intermediary element that concentrates and directs magnetic flux from the external environment onto the coil. By positioning this flux-concentrating intermediary outside the coil, the system achieves enhanced magnetic coupling and signal strength without the spatial constraints that would otherwise require increasing the device diameter.
2Ease of operation
If the device diameter is reduced to maintain flexibility for vasculature movement, then ease of operation is improved, but the space available for the position sensor and core is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the high permeability core from the internal space of the device and repositions it externally. This extraction frees up internal volume within the device, allowing the diameter to be reduced for better flexibility and ease of navigation through vasculature, while the core continues to perform its flux-concentrating function from the external position.
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 approach increases the signal strength and accuracy of position sensing, allowing for more precise medical procedures while maintaining a compact device form factor and reducing positional errors.
Implementation Method 1
a high-permeability antenna having at least a portion disposed outside the central passage so as to concentrate the magnetic field into the coil and increase the resulting voltage
Implementation Method 2
The position sensor comprises a coil wound to form a central passage and configured to generate a voltage when subject to a magnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to a medical device for diagnosis or treatment of tissue within a patient, comprising an elongate member having a lumen extending between proximal and distal ends, a coil disposed around the elongate member, and a magnetic core of high-permeability material positioned at least partially within the coil and extending axially beyond at least one of the proximal or distal coil ends. The axial extension of the magnetic core beyond the coil end focuses the magnetic field at a target region to enhance sensing or therapeutic field delivery. The device is suited for endovascular or intraluminal procedures.