Staggered Hexagonal Electrode Arrays for Precise Bioelectric Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rectangular grids of electrodes for intrabody electrophysiological sensing provide limited accuracy due to each electrode having only four nearest neighbors, leading to reduced precision in estimating bioelectrical propagation paths.
Innovation Solution
A hexagonal grid arrangement of electrodes coupled to an expandable element, such as a rollable substrate or inflatable balloon, is used to enhance the number of nearest neighbors to six, allowing for more accurate computation of bioelectrical propagation paths by obtaining a greater number of bipolar signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a rectangular grid of electrodes is used, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the measurement precision of bioelectrical propagation paths deteriorates due to limited nearest neighbors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a symmetric rectangular grid to an asymmetric hexagonal arrangement where electrodes are positioned at non-uniform intervals along spines. This asymmetric positioning creates six nearest neighbors for each electrode instead of four, improving measurement precision for bioelectrical propagation path estimation while maintaining manageable device complexity through the systematic hexagonal pattern.
2Measurement precision
If the number of nearest neighbors is increased to six, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to staggered electrode arrangement
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode array is segmented into multiple spines with electrodes grouped into rows coupled to respective spines. This segmentation allows the complex hexagonal arrangement to be constructed systematically by positioning rows at staggered intervals, making the device more manufacturable while achieving six nearest neighbors for improved measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a staggered arrangement dimension where electrode rows are offset relative to each other along the spines. This dimensional approach transforms a simple rectangular 2D grid into a hexagonal pattern, enabling six nearest neighbors per electrode and thereby improving the accuracy of bioelectrical propagation path computation without excessive complexity.
3Area of stationary object
If an expandable element is used to achieve hexagonal grid, then the contact area with tissue is increased, but the device complexity and ease of operation are affected
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode array is integrated with an expandable element that transitions from a compressed delivery state to an expanded operational state. This dynamic transformation allows the hexagonal grid to achieve maximum contact area with tissue during measurement while being easily deployable through catheter insertion, resolving the contradiction between large contact area and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hexagonal electrode array is nested within an expandable element structure during delivery. The expandable element encapsulates the electrode configuration, allowing compact delivery through catheters and subsequent expansion at the target site to achieve the full hexagonal grid contact area, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining large effective contact surface area.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus includes a shaft, configured for insertion into a body of a subject, and an expandable element coupled to a distal end of the shaft. The expandable element includes multiple electrodes arranged in a hexagonal grid when the expandable element is expanded. Other embodiments are also described.