Robotic Catheter Contact Sensor Assembly with Reinforced Cover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robotic catheter systems lack effective sensing mechanisms to detect contact with patient tissues during procedures, which can lead to unintended movement or damage.
Innovation Solution
A contact sensor assembly with sensing and non-sensing areas, coupled with a processor and outer cover, is integrated into the robotic mechanism to detect contact and communicate signals for halting movement upon detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a contact sensor assembly is integrated into the robotic mechanism, then contact detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is nested within the outer cover structure, with the cover serving as both a protective enclosure and a mounting surface for the sensor. The connector is integrated into the sensor assembly, creating a compact nested configuration that reduces overall complexity while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer cover and sensor are merged into a single integrated assembly where the cover's structural elements (raised portions, corner sections) directly interface with the sensor's sensing areas. This merging eliminates separate mounting components and simplifies the overall device architecture.
2Strength
If the outer cover is reinforced at corner sections, then structural strength is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outer cover is designed with non-uniform thickness and reinforcement only at specific corner sections that require additional strength. The raised portions and corner reinforcements are localized features rather than global modifications, allowing standard manufacturing processes to be used for the majority of the cover while adding strength only where needed.
3Measurement precision
If the sensor is bent to conform to flat sections, then contact sensing accuracy is improved, but sensor durability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The outer cover is designed with raised portions and reinforced corner sections that act as cushioning elements, absorbing mechanical stresses and preventing direct transmission of forces to the sensor's bent regions. This protective structure allows the sensor to maintain its conformal shape for accurate sensing while being shielded from damage during normal operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A contact sensor assembly includes a sensor comprising a plurality of sensing areas, a plurality of non-sensing areas, and a connector coupled to the plurality of sensing areas. The contact sensor assembly also include an outer cover positioned over the sensor. The outer cover has an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface includes a plurality of raised portions and at least one corner section. The at least one corner section of the inner surface of the outer cover is reinforced so that the corner section has a greater stiffness and the corner section corresponds to at least one non-sensing area of the sensor.