Optic-based contact sensing assembly and system

• US 20110270046A1
• Filed: 12/30/2009
• Published: 11/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: St. Jude Medical (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: St. Jude Medical (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Paul, Saurav, Tegg, Troy T., Stehr, Richard E., Thao, Riki Chou, Heimbecher, Reed R.
• Granted Patent: US 9,855,410 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/24 with a catheter A61B18/26, A61B18/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00057 Light
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/065 for measuring contact or contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• 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 5/065 Determining position of the probe employing exclusively positioning means located on or in the probe, e.g. using position sensors arranged on the probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1076 for measuring dimensions inside body cavities, e.g. using catheters A61B3/1005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/283 Invasive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/68 Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6852 Catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6885 Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0002 with a pressure sensor at the distal end
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0166 Sensors, electrodes or the like for guiding the catheter to a target zone, e.g. image guided or magnetically guided
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0043 characterised by structural features
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0068 Static characteristics of the catheter tip, e.g. shape, atraumatic tip, curved tip or tip structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0069 Tip not integral with tube
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/007 Side holes, e.g. their profiles or arrangements; Provisions to keep side holes unblocked
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0071 Multiple separate lumens multiple separate lumens throughout the catheter A61M25/0026
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0074 : Dynamic characteristics of the catheter tip, e.g. openable, closable, expandable or deformable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/01 : Introducing, guiding, advancing, emplacing or holding catheters A61M25/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0138 : having flexible regions as a result of weakened outer material, e.g. slots, slits, cuts, joints or coils
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0141 : having flexible regions as a result of using materials with different mechanical properties
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/10 : Tube connectors; Tube couplings A61M39/02 takes precedence; connecting needles to syringes or hubs A61M5/34; connecting catheter tubes to hubs A61M25/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/00 : Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor A61N2/00 takes precedence; irradiation apparatus A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/02 : Details
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/00 : Ultrasound therapy lithotripsy A61B17/22, A61B17/225; massage using supersonic vibration A61H23/00 ; using ultrasound for introducing media into the body A61M37/0092
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/02 : Localised ultrasound hyperthermia hyperthermia in general A61F7/00

Abstract

A contact sensing assembly including a catheter and an electrode including a tip portion and a base portion, and a generally central axis, with the electrode being connected to a distal end of the catheter. Optical sensor(s) may be provided for emitting and/or receiving an optical signal, with a part of the optical signal being transverse to the central axis. Optical interference member(s) may be provided for interfering with the optical signal. A method for sensing contact force exerted by an electrode on a tissue includes directing an optical signal along a portion of a catheter, emitting and/or receiving an optical signal, with a part of the optical signal being at a predetermined angle relative to the central axis, and sensing changes in intensity of the optical signal based on displacement associated with the electrode tip portion based on the contact force exerted by the electrode on the tissue.

Claims

1. A contact sensing assembly comprising:

a catheter including a body having a proximal end and a distal end;

an electrode including a tip portion and a base portion, and a generally central axis, a portion of the electrode being connected to the distal end of the catheter;

at least one optical sensor for at least one of emitting and receiving an optical signal, at least a part of the optical signal being transverse to the central axis, the optical sensor being operatively connected to one of the electrode and the catheter body; and

at least one optical interference member operatively connected to one of the electrode and the catheter body for interfering with the optical signal.

3. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the distal end of the catheter includes a coupling member having a neck portion.

4. The assembly according to claim 3, wherein the neck portion of the coupling member moves relative to an external force exerted on the electrode.

5. The assembly according to claim 3, wherein the neck portion of the coupling member includes one of a twist, torsion bar, alpha, dove-tail and spring shaped elastic portion for enabling external axial and transverse forces and torques exerted on the electrode to be sensed by the optical sensor.

6. The assembly according to claim 3, wherein the coupling member includes a mounting shaft that defines an internal recessed groove for receiving at least a portion of the optical sensor.

7. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the tip portion of the electrode includes an irrigation port.

8. The assembly according to claim 7, wherein a plurality of irrigation ports are disposed along a common axis on the tip portion of the electrode.

18. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the optical sensor includes at least one emitter and at least one radially positioned receiver for respectively emitting and receiving the optical signal.

20. The assembly according to claim 18, wherein the distal end of the catheter includes a coupling member having an elastic neck portion.

25. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the optical interference member is a structure formed on one of the electrode base portion and the catheter distal end.

28. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the optical interference member is configured to interfere with the optical signal by respectively first and second predetermined amounts related to first and second predetermined positions of the electrode relative to the catheter body.

32. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein a plurality optical sensors are disposed within the body of the catheter, each optical sensor having a means for emitting and receiving light energy.

33. he assembly according to claim 32, wherein the optical sensors are circumferentially disposed within the body of the catheter.

35. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the optical sensor includes an emitter and a receiver for respectively emitting and receiving the optical signal, wherein a plurality of emitters and a plurality of receivers are distributed about a peripheral wall of a fiber optic cable such that each emitter operatively interacts with at least one receiver.

39. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the tip portion of the electrode includes a portion configured to perform ablation.

40. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the optical sensor is adapted to measure a parameter selected from the group consisting of intensity, wavelength, phase, spectrum, speed, optical path, interference, transmission, absorption, reflection, refraction, diffraction, polarization, and scattering.

2. (canceled)

9-17. -17. (canceled)

19. (canceled)

21-24. -24. (canceled)

26-27. -27. (canceled)

29-31. -31. (canceled)

34. (canceled)

36-38. -38. (canceled)

41. An optical-based catheter system comprising:

a catheter including a body having a proximal end and a distal end;

an electrode including a tip portion and a base portion, and a generally central axis, a portion of the electrode being connected to the distal end of the catheter;

at least one optical sensor for at least one of emitting and receiving an optical signal, at least a part of the optical signal being transverse to the central axis, the optical sensor being operatively connected to one of the electrode and the catheter body;

at least one optical interference member operatively connected to one of the electrode and the catheter body for interfering with the optical signal;

a light energy source;

a processor; and

a catheter mapping unit for use in mapping or visualizing the catheter location.

42. The system according to claim 41, wherein the system determines a displacement associated with the electrode tip portion using sensed changes in intensity of the optical signal.

43. The system according to claim 41, wherein the at least one optical sensor is adapted to measure a parameter selected from the group consisting of intensity, wavelength, phase, spectrum, speed, optical path, interference, transmission, absorption, reflection, refraction, diffraction, polarization, and scattering.

44. The assembly according to claim 41, wherein the tip portion of the electrode includes an irrigation port.

45-46. -46. (canceled)

47. A method for sensing contact force exerted by an electrode on a tissue comprising:

directing an optical signal along at least a portion of a tubular body of a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end;

connecting an electrode including a tip portion and a base portion, and a generally central axis, to the distal end of the catheter;

at least one of emitting and receiving an optical signal, at least a part of the optical signal being at a predetermined angle relative to the central axis; and

sensing changes in intensity of the optical signal responsive to displacement associated with the electrode tip portion based on the contact force exerted by the electrode on the tissue.

48-61. -61. (canceled)

62. A method of manufacturing an optical sensing assembly comprising:

providing an optical sensor having a proximal end and distal end, including an emitter and a receiver, each having a distal end and a proximal end, for respectively emitting and receiving an optical signal;

advancing the distal end of the optical sensor towards a proximal end of an electrode;

retracting the optical sensor from the proximal end of the electrode to dispose the distal end portion of the optical sensor within a base portion of the electrode;

coupling the proximal end of the optical sensor to an amplifier;

positioning the optical sensor within the base portion of the electrode by utilizing optical signals processed by the amplifier;

securing the optical sensor relative to the base portion of the electrode.

63. The method according to claim 62, wherein retracting the optical sensor from the proximal end of the electrode includes:

retracting the emitter from the proximal end of the electrode until at least the distal end of the emitter is visible relative to an opening within a base portion of the electrode; and

retracting the receiver from the proximal end of the electrode until at least the distal end of the receiver is visible relative to an opening within a base portion of the electrode.

64. The method according to claim 63, further including:

aligning the distal end of the emitter and receiver such that the end portions of the emitter and receiver are aligned with one another.

65. The method according to claim 64, wherein the distal ends of the emitter and receiver include angled end surfaces.

66-76. -76. (canceled)

77. A device for sampling discrete physiological events comprising:

an optical assembly comprising a catheter including a body having a proximal end and a distal end;

an electrode including a tip portion and a base portion, and a generally central axis, a portion of the electrode being connected to the distal end of the catheter; and

at least one optical sensor for at least one of emitting and receiving an optical signal, at least a part of the optical signal being transverse to the central axis, the optical sensor being operatively connected to one of the electrode and the catheter body;

wherein the optical assembly is adapted to sample physiological signals of a subject during a discrete temporal duration.

78. The device according claim 77, wherein the sample of the discrete temporal duration ranges from approximately 10 Hz to approximately 10 kHz.

79. The device according to claim 77, wherein the discrete temporal duration ranges from approximately a few hundredth of a second to approximately a sub-millisecond.

80. The device according to claim 77, wherein the assembly is operatively coupled to a processor to process the physiological signals.

81. The device according to claim 77, wherein the device includes a memory structure for storing at least one of the number of, the occurrence of, the spatial co-ordinates for, the ablation generator settings for, and the magnitude of the \ physiological signals.

82. A device for sampling discrete physiological events comprising:

an optical assembly comprising a catheter including a body having a proximal end and a distal end;

an electrode including a tip portion and a base portion, and a generally central axis, a portion of the electrode being connected to the distal end of the catheter; and

at least one optical sensor for at least one of emitting and receiving an optical signal, at least a part of the optical signal being transverse to the central axis, the optical sensor being operatively connected to one of the electrode and the catheter body;

a means for sampling physiological signals of a subject during a discrete temporal duration.

83. The device according to claim 82, including a means for processing and storing data associated with the physiological signals.