SHIELDING OF CATHETER HANDLE

• US 20080306380A1
• Filed: 07/09/2008
• Published: 12/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biosense Webster Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Biosense Webster Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Govari, Assaf, Bar-Tal, Meir, Altmann, Andres Claudio, Ephrath, Yaron, Parchak, Yochai, Atias, Meiron
• Granted Patent: US 8,798,711 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/424
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00482 with a code
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00725 Calibration or performance testing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2051 Electromagnetic tracking systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3784 both receiver and transmitter being in the instrument or receiver being also transmitter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/08 Sensors provided with means for identification, e.g. barcodes or memory chips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/085 combined with means for recording calibration data
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/182 Electrical shielding, e.g. using a Faraday cage
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/226 comprising means for identifying the connector, e.g. to prevent incorrect connection to socket
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/227 Sensors with electrical connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/20 Surgical navigation systems; Devices for tracking or guiding surgical instruments, e.g. for frameless stereotaxis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/06 Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies for removing same A61B17/50 ; determining position of probes within or on the body of the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/061 Determining position of a probe within the body employing means separate from the probe, e.g. sensing internal probe position employing impedance electrodes on the surface of the body A61B1/00158 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/283 Invasive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/12 in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters catheters per se A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4254 using sensors mounted on the probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4411 Device being modular

Abstract

Electrical apparatus includes a probe, having a proximal end and a distal end. The probe includes a sensor, which outputs a sensor signal, and a first connector at the proximal end of the probe, electrically coupled at least to the sensor. A probe adapter includes a second connector, which is arranged to mate with the first connector, and a third connector, for coupling to a console. A shield includes a material of high magnetic permeability, which is configured to enclose an internal volume containing the first and second connectors when the probe is connected to the probe adapter

Claims

1. Electrical apparatus, comprising:

a probe, having a proximal end and a distal end, the probe comprising;

a sensor, which outputs a sensor signal; and

a first connector at the proximal end of the probe, electrically coupled at least to the sensor;

a probe adapter, comprising;

a second connector, which is arranged to mate with the first connector; and

a third connector, for coupling to a console; and

a shield, comprising a material of high magnetic permeability, which is configured to enclose an internal volume containing the first and second connectors when the probe is connected to the probe adapter.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the material is a Mu-metal.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shield has a unitary, tubular form, which defines the internal volume.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the probe adapter comprises at least one amplifier, which is contained in the internal volume and is coupled to process the sensor signal so as to output a amplified signal via the third connector to the console.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a position sensor, which is operative to generate the sensor signal responsively to a magnetic field applied externally to the body.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the probe comprises a catheter, and wherein the distal end is configured for insertion into a heart of the subject.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the probe comprises a twisted pair of wires, which are coupled to convey the sensor signal from the sensor to the first connector, and wherein the wires in the twisted pair are separated only within the internal volume of the shield for connection to respective pins of the first connector.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, and comprising a handle, which contains the second connector and the shield, and wherein the proximal end of the probe is configured to be plugged into and removed from the handle.

9. A method for producing an electrical device, comprising:

providing a probe, having a proximal end and a distal end, which comprises a sensor, which outputs a sensor signal, and a first connector at the proximal end of the probe, electrically coupled at least to the sensor;

providing a second connector, for use in a probe adapter to mate with the first connector;

coupling a third connector to connect the probe adapter to a console; and

configuring a shield, comprising a material of high magnetic permeability, so as to enclose an internal volume containing the first and second connectors when the probe is connected to the probe adapter.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the material is a Mu-metal.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the shield has a unitary, tubular form, which defines the internal volume.

12. The method according to claim 9, and comprising coupling at least one amplifier in the probe adapter to the second connector so as to receive and process the sensor signal in order to output a amplified signal via the third connector to the console, wherein the at least one amplifier is contained in the internal volume of the shield.

13. The method according to claim 9, wherein the sensor comprises a position sensor, which is operative to generate the sensor signal responsively to a magnetic field applied externally to the body.

14. The method according to claim 9, wherein the probe comprises a catheter for insertion into a heart of the subject.

15. The method according to claim 9, wherein providing the probe comprises coupling a twisted pair of wires to convey the sensor signal from the sensor to the first connector, and separating the wires in the twisted pair for connection to respective pins of the first connector only within a part of the probe that is within the internal volume of the shield.

16. The method according to claim 9, and comprising:

assembling a handle over the second connector and the shield;

plugging the proximal end of the probe into the handle prior to performing a medical procedure using the probe; and

removing the proximal end of the probe from the handle after performing the medical procedure.