Collapsible Planar Catheter Tip for Irregular Tissue Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cardiac mapping and ablation catheters face challenges in conforming to complex heart anatomy, requiring stiff internal structural members that hinder electrode contact with irregular tissue surfaces and are prone to breakage and delamination, while flexible designs are complex and costly.
Innovation Solution
A flexible end effector with a framework and flexible circuits, featuring a central and outer branch segments with electrodes, and a hydrophilic coating to enhance electrode contact and reduce friction, allowing for improved mapping and ablation procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If stiff internal structural members are used to maintain predetermined configuration, then structural stability is improved, but electrode contact with irregular tissue surfaces deteriorates and manipulation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into distinct segments: a proximal shaft portion with stiff structural members for stability, and a distal tip portion with flexible circuits for adaptability. This segmentation allows each part to perform its optimal function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter transitions from a static, rigid structure to a dynamic, adaptable structure. The flexible circuit board can change its configuration to conform to the heart chamber geometry, enabling the catheter to adapt its shape based on operational requirements.
2Stability of the object's composition
If stiff internal structural members are used to maintain predetermined configuration, then structural stability is improved, but electrode contact with tissue surfaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into distinct segments: a proximal shaft portion with stiff structural members for stability, and a distal tip portion with flexible circuits for adaptability. This segmentation allows each part to perform its optimal function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter tip employs a flexible circuit board that can conform to irregular tissue surfaces. This flexible film structure maintains electrode-tissue contact precision while allowing the catheter to adapt to various anatomical geometries.
3Ease of operation
If flexible probe tips are used to improve electrode contact, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter tip employs a flexible circuit board that can conform to irregular tissue surfaces. This flexible film structure maintains electrode-tissue contact precision while allowing the catheter to adapt to various anatomical geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter combines different materials with complementary properties: flexible polymers for the circuit board substrate, conductive materials for electrodes, and hydrophilic coatings for reduced friction. This composite approach achieves flexibility and functionality without excessive complexity.
4Ease of operation
If flexible probe tips are used to improve electrode contact, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to breakage and delamination
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter combines different materials with complementary properties: flexible polymers for the circuit board substrate, conductive materials for electrodes, and hydrophilic coatings for reduced friction. This composite approach achieves flexibility and functionality without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies hydrophilic coatings to modify the surface properties of the flexible circuit board. This parameter change reduces friction and prevents delamination, thereby improving reliability while maintaining flexibility.
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 flexible design enables better tissue contact, reduces strain and breakage, and maintains signal integrity, enhancing the efficacy of cardiac mapping and ablation procedures.
Implementation Method 1
coating the electrode with a hydrophilic coating
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A medical probe including an end effector is herein disclosed. The end effector includes a flexible insulative material extending along a plane, a framework disposed in the flexible insulative material, and a flexible circuit disposed in the flexible insulative material and spaced apart from the framework. The flexible circuit includes a central branch segment, a plurality of outer branch segments, and a plurality of electrodes. The central branch segment extends along a longitudinal axis of the plane. The outer branch segments extend along the plane a distance away from the longitudinal axis, with at least some of the outer branch segments extending distal to the central branch segment thereby defining a recess in a distal end of the end effector. The electrodes are disposed along the central branch and the plurality of outer branch segments.