Medical Probe Wiring Encapsulation Between Expandable Membranes
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Solution Overview
Problem
The electrical connection between thermocouples and electrodes on medical probes is not optimal due to the number of wires extending from inside the balloon, leading to potential exposure and entanglement issues during ablation procedures.
Innovation Solution
An electrophysiology catheter design featuring a balloon with three expandable membranes, where wires are encapsulated between the first and second membranes, preventing exposure to the ambient environment while allowing electrodes to function effectively, and reducing the risk of entanglement or misconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wires extend from inside the balloon to connect thermocouples and electrodes, then electrical connection is established, but wire exposure and entanglement issues occur during ablation procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing the first expandable membrane inside the second expandable membrane. The wires are positioned in the space between these nested membranes, which allows the wires to be contained and protected while maintaining their electrical connection function. This nested structure prevents wire entanglement and exposure to the external environment during ablation procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses expandable membranes (flexible shells) to enclose and protect the wires. The first and second expandable membranes form a flexible protective barrier around the wires, preventing them from becoming exposed or entangled with biological tissues while allowing the structure to expand and contract as needed during the procedure.
2Measurement precision
If multiple wires connect to ten or more electrodes on the balloon, then comprehensive temperature monitoring is achieved, but the complexity of wire management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nested membrane structure provides an organized space for managing multiple wires. By containing all wires within the space between the first and second membranes, the system achieves comprehensive temperature monitoring through multiple electrodes while reducing the complexity of wire management through structured containment.
3Ease of operation
If wires are exposed to the ambient environment during ablation, then connection to electrodes is maintained, but risk of entanglement with biological tissues increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second expandable membranes form a flexible protective shell around the wires, maintaining electrode connectivity while preventing entanglement with biological tissues. The membranes act as a barrier that keeps wires isolated from the external environment during ablation procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The nested membrane structure creates a protected internal environment for the wires, allowing electrode connectivity to be maintained while isolating the wires from harmful interactions with biological tissues in the external environment.
Data Source
AI summary
Shown and described is electrophysiology catheter end effector having a balloon with three expandable membranes attached to each other such that wiring (for the electrodes or other sensors on the membrane surfaces) no longer extend from inside the first membrane yet at the same time is captured between the first membrane and a second membrane.