Wire Management Coupler for Catheter Signal Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Catheter wires used in cardiac medical procedures are prone to excessive stress due to the flexibility and tortuous path requirements, which can compromise signal integrity and lead to coagulation issues, particularly in the vasculature and cardiac anatomy.
Innovation Solution
A wire management coupler design that includes cutouts and beveled edges to guide wires closer to the neutral axis of the coupler, reducing strain during deflection and incorporating heat shrink material to secure wires near the neutral axis, thereby minimizing stress on the wires and preventing coagulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the catheter shaft is made flexible to navigate tortuous vasculature, then the catheter can be threaded through complex vascular paths, but the wires experience excessive stress and strain during bending
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions wire routing from the outer surface to the neutral axis (central dimension) of the catheter shaft. This dimensional change allows wires to experience minimal stress during bending while the catheter maintains flexibility for navigating tortuous vasculature.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wire management coupler as an intermediary component that secures wires to the neutral axis of the catheter shaft. This coupler acts as a mediator between the flexible shaft and the wires, protecting wires from stress while preserving shaft flexibility.
2Ease of manufacture
If wires are routed along the outer surface of the catheter shaft, then wire routing is simplified, but wires are subjected to excessive stress during catheter deflection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions wire routing from the outer surface dimension to the neutral axis dimension within the catheter shaft. This repositioning reduces wire stress during deflection while the coupler provides structured routing paths that maintain manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire management coupler serves as an intermediary structure that guides wires to the neutral axis position. It provides defined routing paths through cutouts and channels, making the transition to stress-reduced routing straightforward and manufacturable.
3Ease of operation
If wires are positioned away from the neutral axis, then wire access and connection is easier, but strain during deflection increases leading to coagulation issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions wires from peripheral locations (easier access) to the neutral axis (central location). The coupler incorporates cutouts and channels that provide access points for wire installation while maintaining the wires' final position at the neutral axis, reducing strain and coagulation risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire management coupler acts as an intermediary that facilitates wire installation and connection while ensuring wires end up at the optimal neutral axis position. The coupler's structure provides guided pathways that make positioning accurate and repeatable during assembly.
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 solution effectively reduces wire strain and minimizes coagulation by aligning wires closer to the neutral axis, ensuring consistent signal transmission and preventing blood coagulation on the catheter, thus enhancing the reliability and accuracy of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating heat shrink material to secure wires near the neutral axis
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure can include a catheter. The catheter can include an elongate shaft including a proximal end and a distal end, the elongate shaft defining a shaft longitudinal axis. The catheter can include a coupler disposed within a distal end of the elongate shaft, wherein the coupler defines a first sensor groove and a second sensor groove in an exterior surface of the coupler and a coupler longitudinal axis. The catheter can include a first and second wire management feature located at a proximal end of each one of the first sensor groove and the second sensor groove.