# US 11,298,082 B2 · Catheter with capacitive force sensor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,298,082 B2 - Document ID: US11298082B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/986,730 - Filed: 2018-05-22 - Published: 2019-11-28 - Granted: 2022-04-12 - Earliest claimed: 2018-05-22 - Assignees: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd. - Applicants: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd. - Inventors: Piyush Sheth - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11298082B2 ## CPC - A61B 5/6885: {Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure} - A61B 5/6852: {Catheters} - A61B 5/6853: {with a balloon} - A61B 5/6857: {with a distal pigtail shape} - A61B 18/1492: {having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation (A61B18/1477 takes precedence)} - A61M 25/10: Balloon catheters ({A61M25/0125 takes precedence; embolectomy A61B17/22032; retractors A61B17/02;} inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts A61F2/958 {; stomach balloons for treatment of obesity A61F5/0003; oesophagal tubes A61J15/00}) - A61B 2017/00053: {Mapping} - A61B 2018/0022: {Balloons} - A61B 2018/00285: {Balloons} - A61B 2018/00357: {Endocardium} - A61B 2018/00375: {Ostium, e.g. ostium of pulmonary vein or artery} - A61B 2018/00577: {Ablation} - A61B 2018/00821: {measured by a thermocouple} - A61B 2018/00839: {Bioelectrical parameters, e.g. ECG, EEG} - A61B 2018/1435: {Spiral} - A61B 2090/064: {for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension} - A61B 2090/065: {for measuring contact or contact pressure} - A61B 2218/002: Irrigation - A61B 2562/0252: Load cells - A61M 2025/0002: {with a pressure sensor at the distal end} - A61M 2025/105: {having a balloon suitable for drug delivery, e.g. by using holes for delivery, drug coating or membranes} - A61M 2210/125: Heart - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract An electrophysiology catheter has a micro capacitive tactile sensor provided in the distal section. The distal section may include a tip electrode, a ring electrode and/or a balloon catheter adapted for tissue contact. The capacitive force sensor is configured to exhibit a change in capacitance with tissue contact wherein the force applied with tissue contact is measured and reliably calibrated in assessing and determining the applied force. The capacitive force sensor has a first plate affixed to a tissue contact portion of the catheter, a second plate configured for contact with the tissue, and an elastically compressible dielectric between the first and second plates, wherein the force sensor has a first capacitance when the first and second plates are separated by a first distance, and the force sensor has a second capacitance when the first and second plates are separated by a second different from the first distance. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electrophysiology catheter adapted for use in an ostium, comprising: a balloon having a membrane, the balloon having a distal end and a proximal end defining a longitudinal axis; a flex circuit electrode assembly affixed to the membrane and having an exclusion zone; a capacitive force sensor situated in the exclusion zone and having a first plate, a second plate configured for contact with the ostium, and an elastically compressible dielectric between the first and second plates, the dielectric separate from the membrane, wherein the force sensor has a first capacitance when the first and second plates are separated by a first distance, and the force sensor has a second capacitance when the first and second plates are separated by a second distance different from the first distance; a first terminal connected to the first plate; and a second terminal connected to the second plate, wherein the dielectric includes an elastic spring member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electrophysiology catheter of claim 1, wherein the first plate is affixed to the membrane. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The electrophysiology catheter of claim 1, further comprising a contact electrode and the first plate is affixed to the contact electrode. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The electrophysiology catheter of claim 1, further comprising a first via through the membrane, the first terminal connected to the first via. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The electrophysiology catheter of claim 4, further comprising a second via through the membrane, the second terminal connected to the second via. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The electrophysiology catheter of claim 1, comprising a plurality of capacitive force sensors arranged along a circumferential latitude of the balloon. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The electrophysiology catheter of claim 1, wherein flex circuit assembly has at least one leaf and the capacitive force sensor is situated in the at least one leaf. ### Claim 8 An electrophysiology catheter adapted for use in an ostium, comprising: a balloon having a membrane, the balloon having a distal end and a proximal end defining a longitudinal axis; a flex circuit electrode assembly affixed to the membrane, the assembly having a plurality of leaves; a plurality of capacitive force sensors, each situated on a respective leaf and each having a first plate, a second plate configured for contact with the ostium, and an elastically compressible dielectric between the first and second plates, the dielectric separate from the membrane, wherein the force sensor has a first capacitance when the first and second plates are separated by a first distance, and the force sensor has a second capacitance when the first and second plates are separated by a second distance different from the first distance; a plurality of first terminals, each connected to a respective first plate; and a plurality of second terminals, each connected to a respective second plate, wherein the dielectric includes a wave spring. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The electrophysiology catheter of claim 8, wherein the balloon has a circumferential latitude and each capacitive force sensor lies on the latitude. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The electrophysiology catheter of claim 8, wherein the member has a plurality of exclusion zones, each capacitive force sensor situated in a respective exclusion zone. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The electrophysiology catheter of claim 8, wherein the flex circuit electrode assembly has a substrate and the first plate of each capacitive force sensor is affixed to the substrate. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The electrophysiology catheter of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of first vias through the substrate and the membrane, each first terminal connected to a respective first via. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The electrophysiology catheter of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of second vias through the substrate and the membrane, each second terminal connected to a respective second via. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The electrophysiology catheter of claim 8, wherein the first plate is affixed to the membrane. ### Claim 15 (depends on 8) The electrophysiology catheter of claim 8, further comprising a contact electrode and the first plate is affixed to the contact electrode. ### Claim 16 (depends on 8) The electrophysiology catheter of claim 8, further comprising a first via through the membrane, the first terminal connected to the first via. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The electrophysiology catheter of claim 16, further comprising a second via through the membrane, the second terminal connected to the second via. ### Claim 18 (depends on 8) The electrophysiology catheter of claim 8, comprising a plurality of capacitive force sensors arranged along a circumferential latitude of the balloon. ### Claim 19 (depends on 8) The electrophysiology catheter of claim 8, wherein flex circuit assembly has at least one leaf and the capacitive force sensor is situated in the at least one leaf. ### Claim 20 (depends on 8) The electrophysiology catheter of claim 8, wherein the balloon has a circumferential latitude and each capacitive force sensor lies on the latitude.