Multilayer Stretchable Soft Electronics for Multimodal Catheters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Catheter-based diagnostic and therapeutic tools face challenges due to mechanical rigidity, limited spatial density of sensing/actuating elements, and narrow functional options, leading to non-ideal interfaces with soft tissues and the need for multiple catheters in surgeries.
Innovation Solution
A bi-axially stretchable, multilayered electronic system with vertically stacked element network layers on a flexible substrate, including electrode, temperature, and pressure sensor arrays, capable of electrophysiological recording, therapeutic interventions, and precision thermography, integrated with a multiplexed data acquisition system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If catheters are made mechanically rigid for structural stability, then device strength is improved, but tissue coupling efficiency deteriorates due to non-ideal interfaces with soft tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter incorporates a flexible substrate with bi-axially stretchable element network layers comprising electrodes, temperature sensors, and pressure sensors. This flexible construction allows the catheter to conform to soft tissue surfaces, improving tissue coupling efficiency while maintaining structural integrity through the multilayered design.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter uses a composite structure with a flexible substrate and multiple functional element network layers. This composite material approach enables the device to achieve both mechanical strength for structural stability and flexibility for ideal tissue interfacing, resolving the contradiction between strength and tissue coupling efficiency.
2Quantity of substance
If spatial density of sensing/actuating elements is increased, then diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities are improved, but device complexity increases requiring guided placement
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter employs a two-dimensional array configuration of sensing and actuating elements distributed across the flexible substrate surface. This areal distribution allows high spatial density of elements without requiring complex three-dimensional positioning, simplifying placement while maintaining diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The multilayered element network integrates multiple functions (electrophysiological recording, temperature sensing, pressure sensing, electrical stimulation, drug delivery) within a single device structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple separate catheters and guided placement procedures, addressing the complexity issue while maintaining high functional density.
3Adaptability or versatility
If functional options are expanded to include multiple diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities, then treatment versatility is improved, but the number of catheters required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter integrates multiple element network layers with distinct functions including electrodes for electrophysiological recording and electrical stimulation, temperature sensors for thermography and thermal therapy monitoring, pressure sensors for force measurement, and drug delivery capabilities. This multi-functional design consolidates what would traditionally require multiple separate catheters into a single device, improving versatility while reducing procedural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges diagnostic functions (electrophysiological sensing, temperature monitoring, pressure measurement) and therapeutic functions (electrical stimulation, thermal therapy, drug delivery) into a single integrated catheter system. This consolidation eliminates the need for multiple separate catheter insertions and navigations, directly addressing the contradiction between functional versatility and number of catheters required.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic system for multimodal diagnostic measurements and therapeutic interventions includes a plurality of element network layers vertically stacked one with another on a flexible substrate, each element network layer being bi-axially stretchable and comprising a plurality of elements configured in an addressable, interconnected array formed in a multilayered structure and operably performing a distinct function. The electronic system is a multimodal, multiplexed soft electronic system in a multilayered configuration that supports capabilities ranging from high-density spatiotemporal mapping of temperature, pressure and electrophysiological parameters, to options in programmable high-density actuation of thermal inputs and/or electrical stimulation, drug elution, radio frequency ablation, and/or irreversible electroporation ablation.