Systems and methods for assessing tissue contact
AssigneeSt. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.
InventorsChou Thao, Saurav Paul
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods are disclosed for assessing tissue contact, e.g., for mapping, tissue ablation, or other procedures. An exemplary tissue contact sensing system comprises a flexible tip device. At least one piezoelectric sensor is housed within the flexible tip device. The at least one piezoelectric sensor is responsive to contact stress of the flexible tip device by generating electrical signals corresponding to the amount of contact stress. An output device is electrically connected to the at least one piezoelectric sensor. The output device receives the electrical signals for assessing tissue contact by the flexible tip device. Methods for assembling and using the flexible tip device are also disclosed.
Claims21
1-26. (canceled)
A tissue contact sensing system comprising:
- a plurality of piezoelectric sensors extending in a direction coaxial to a central longitudinal axis of a shaft and offset by about 120 degrees within a flexible tip of the shaft;
- and
- an output device electrically connected to the piezoelectric sensors, the output device receiving electrical signals generated in response to contact stress of the flexible tip for assessing tissue contact.
The tissue contact sensing system of claim 3, wherein the conductive layer is configured to delivery RF energy.
A catheter comprising:
- a plurality of piezoelectric sensors extending in a direction coaxial to a central longitudinal axis of a shaft and offset by about 120 degrees within a flexible tip of the shaft, the plurality of piezoelectric sensors generating electrical signals generated in response to contact stress of the flexible tip for assessing tissue contact.
A catheter with tissue contact assessment, comprising:
- a conductive layer surrounding a non-conductive compliant section of a flexible tip;
- and
- a plurality of piezoelectric sensors offset by about 120 degrees within the non-conductive compliant section of the flexible tip, the plurality of piezoelectric sensors generating electrical signals generated in response to contact stress of the flexible tip to detect at least one of axial stress, angular stress, and radial stress.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.