Superelastic Catheter Sensor Integration for Ablation Contact Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheter ablation systems lack effective mechanisms to ensure sufficient electrode contact with target tissue while preventing tissue damage and provide real-time tracking and mapping of electrode position and force application during cardiac ablation procedures.
Innovation Solution
The system integrates force sensors and position sensors within the catheter to monitor electrode contact force and position, combined with image-guided surgery and electrophysiological mapping, to ensure precise tissue ablation and prevent tissue damage, using a single manufacturing process that simplifies the integration of sensing and therapeutic technologies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If force sensors and position sensors are integrated into the catheter to monitor electrode contact, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates force sensors and position sensors directly into the catheter structure, merging multiple sensing functions into a single integrated device. This allows simultaneous monitoring of electrode contact force and position without requiring separate independent systems, thereby improving measurement precision while managing device complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a delivery vehicle for RF energy and as a monitoring system with embedded force and position sensors. This universal design allows the single device to perform multiple functions: ablation, force monitoring, and position tracking, reducing the need for separate specialized devices.
2Manufacturing precision
If real-time feedback systems are implemented to ensure precise ablation, then ablation precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a real-time feedback system where force sensors and position sensors continuously monitor electrode-tissue contact parameters and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback enables dynamic adjustment of RF energy delivery to maintain precise ablation boundaries, ensuring accurate tissue modification while preventing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary monitoring and assessment of electrode contact conditions before initiating full-power ablation. The force and position sensors verify proper electrode placement and contact force thresholds are met before energy delivery begins, ensuring precision is established in advance rather than corrected during the ablation process.
3Reliability
If multiple sensing capabilities are added to the catheter, then reliability of ablation procedure is improved, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensing capabilities (force sensing, position tracking) are merged into the single catheter structure during manufacturing. By integrating these sensors into the catheter body as a unified assembly rather than separate components, the manufacturing process is streamlined and the reliability of the overall system is enhanced through consistent integration.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system ensures accurate and safe ablation by providing real-time feedback on electrode contact force and position, reducing the risk of tissue damage and enhancing the precision of cardiac ablation procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The force sensor may include a strain gauge disposed on the flexible circuit board and configured to detect strain in the flexible circuit board in response to the contact force
Implementation Method 2
One or more electrodes may be placed in contact with cardiac tissue or other vascular tissue and then activated with RF energy to thereby ablate the contacted tissue
Implementation Method 3
Irrigation may be used to draw heat from ablating components of an ablation catheter
Data Source
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AI summary
A method is used to manufacture a surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes a catheter and an end effector extending distally from the catheter. The method includes forming at least one electrode, sensor, or thermocouple onto the catheter or the end effector of the surgical instrument by etching or vapor depositing a three-dimensional structure onto a non-conductive material that is layered over a super elastic material.