Positioning Cartridge for Electrode Sensor Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ablation catheters lack reliable and reproducible methods for accurately positioning multiple temperature sensing elements during manufacture, leading to inconsistent temperature monitoring and potential overheating issues.
Innovation Solution
A positioning cartridge with a scaffold and positioning inserts is used to securely place temperature sensors within the electrode, ensuring precise alignment with longitudinal bores, allowing for consistent and reproducible sensor placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple temperature sensing elements are manually positioned in the electrode, then the electrode can monitor temperature at multiple locations, but the placement consistency and reproducibility among manufactured electrodes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring a positioning cartridge with multiple positioning inserts arranged in specific patterns (e.g., hexagonal, circular) before the manufacturing process. The cartridge is prepared in advance with all necessary positioning elements, allowing consistent and reproducible sensor placement across multiple electrodes without manual adjustment during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning cartridge serves as an intermediary tool between the manufacturer and the electrode. It mediates the placement process by providing pre-formed positioning inserts that guide temperature sensing elements to precise locations. This intermediary device ensures uniform positioning across all manufactured electrodes, eliminating variability introduced by manual placement.
2Measurement precision
If temperature sensors are placed accurately to improve monitoring precision, then the complexity of the manufacturing process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple positioning functions into a single integrated positioning cartridge. The cartridge combines multiple positioning inserts, support structures, and alignment features into one unified device. This consolidation simplifies the manufacturing process by eliminating the need for multiple separate positioning tools and manual alignment steps, while still achieving high placement accuracy.
3Manufacturing precision
If a positioning cartridge with multiple positioning inserts is used to ensure consistent sensor placement, then the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning cartridge is segmented into modular components, including multiple positioning inserts that can be independently configured. Each insert can be designed as a separate element with specific geometric features (e.g., pins, grooves, recesses) that can be independently manufactured and then assembled into the cartridge. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing of individual components while achieving complex positioning functionality.
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A positioning cartridge is disclosed for use during manufacture of an electrode. The positioning cartridge may have a plurality of positioning inserts, each with proximal and distal ends, and a scaffold secured to the proximal ends of each positioning insert. The scaffold may be configured to place the positioning inserts in a defined orientation with respect to each other that corresponds to a plurality of longitudinal bores of the electrode. An electrode may be manufactured using the positioning cartridge. The positioning cartridge may have a plurality of components, such that at least one component is associated with each positioning insert. The plurality of components may be temperature sensors. The positioning cartridge may be configured to position each temperature sensor at a location adjacent an outer surface of the electrode.