Optic-based contact sensing assembly and system
AssigneeSt. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.
InventorsTroy T. Tegg, Saurav Paul, Richard E. Stehr, Reed R. Heimbecher
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention relates to an optic-based sensing assembly and a system incorporating the assembly and related use of the assembly. In particular, the invention relates to an optic-based catheter assembly and related system used to determine contact between a catheter and surrounding proximate environment, such as tissue. An embodiment of such a system may, for example, be used for visualization, mapping, ablation, or other methods of diagnosis and treatment of tissue and/or surrounding areas.
Claims22
A contact sensing assembly comprising:
- a catheter including a body defining an axis extending between a proximal end and a distal end;
- an electrode including a tip portion and a base portion, the base portion configured to be received within the catheter body and to be movable along the axis relative to a portion of the catheter body;
- and
- an optical sensor,
- wherein the base portion of the electrode includes an optically interactive surface configured to reflect a signal from the optical sensor, the optically interactive surface being unitary with or rigidly coupled with the tip portion so as to move in unison with the tip portion;
- a portion of the electrode is connected to the distal end of the catheter;
- and the optical sensor is spaced from, operatively interacts with, and is moveable along the axis and radial to the axis relative to the optically interactive surface such that the relative intensity of the signal as reflected by the optically interactive surface is indicative of an external axial force and an external radial force applied to the electrode.
A contact sensing assembly comprising:
- a catheter including a body defining an axis extending between a proximal end and a distal end;
- an electrically-conductive electrode including a tip portion and a base portion, the tip portion unitary with the base portion;
- and
- a sensor comprising:
- an emitter configured to project an electromagnetic signal into the base portion of the electrode;
- and
- a receiver, disposed in one or more of the base portion of the electrode and the distal end of the catheter body, configured to receive the electromagnetic signal;
- wherein the electrode is axially and radially movable relative to a portion of the catheter body such that an amplitude of the received signal is indicative of an axial external force and a radial external force applied to the electrode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.