Electrode contact feedback system
AssigneeSt. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.
InventorsJeffrey A. Schweitzer, Steven C. Christian, Anthony D. Hill
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sensing assembly for sensing contact with an object is disclosed. The contact sensing assembly may comprise an elongate tubular body. An electrode may be connected to the elongate tubular body. A vibration element is operatively connected with the electrode and configured to deliver a vibration-inducing signal to induce vibration of the electrode. A sensor is configured to monitor the electrode for a perturbation in the induced vibration. The perturbation results from contact between the electrode and the object.
Claims22
A sensing assembly for sensing contact with an object, the assembly comprising the following:
- an elongate tubular body;
- an electrode connected to the elongate tubular body;
- a vibration element operatively connected with the electrode and configured to deliver a vibration-inducing signal to induce vibration of the electrode;
- and
- a sensor configured to monitor the electrode for a perturbation in the induced vibration, wherein the perturbation results from contact between the electrode and the object.
A contact sensing device comprising the following:
- an elongate tubular body comprising a distal end;
- an electrode comprising (a) an electrode base connected to the distal end of the elongate tubular body and (b) an electrode tip connected to the electrode base;
- a vibration element operatively connected to the electrode tip and configured to deliver a vibration-inducing drive signal to induce vibration of the electrode tip, wherein the vibration element is configured to maintain the induced vibration after contact between the electrode and tissue;
- and
- a sensor configured to monitor a change in the drive signal of the vibration element, wherein contact between the electrode and tissue causes a change in the drive signal.
A medical device comprising the following:
- an electrode comprising an electrode tip connected to an electrode base via a spherical joint configured to allow relative movement between the electrode tip and the electrode base;
- a vibration element operatively connected to a vibrating tip component comprising at least one of (a) the electrode tip and (b) the electrode base, the vibration element being thereby configured to deliver a vibration-inducing signal to the vibrating tip component;
- a sensor configured to monitor the vibrating tip component for a perturbation in the induced vibration, the perturbation resulting from contact between the medical device and tissue;
- and
- a perceptible output system configured to provide perceptible output in response to the monitored perturbation in the induced vibration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.