DONGLE WITH SHAPE MEMORY

• US 20140273631A1
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biosense Webster Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Biosense Webster Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Birchard, Christopher J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,703,317 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/620.01
• 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 2018/00178 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: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements

Abstract

A dongle couples an electrophysiologic catheter and a navigational system, including a patient interface unit (PIU). The dongle permits hardware normally carried on catheter control handle to be relocated onto the dongle to render catheter “greener” and less costly to manufacture use. The dongle having a support portion with flexibility, shape memory and/or varying degrees of stiffness also advantageously allows a user more control over the placement, position and orientation of the dongle. The dongle has a body with a first electrical interface unit, and a support portion with a second electrical interface unit, the support portion having an outer flexible tubular member with shape memory. In one embodiment, the support portion comprises a gooseneck tubing. In another embodiment, the support portion comprises a coiled spring.

Claims

1. A dongle for coupling an electrophysiologic catheter and a navigational system, including a patient interface unit (PIU), the dongle comprising:

a body with a first electrical interface unit; and

a support portion with a second electrical interface unit, the support portion having an outer flexible tubular member with shape memory.

2. The dongle of claim 1, wherein the support portion comprises a gooseneck tubing.

3. The dongle of claim 1, wherein the support portion comprises a coiled spring.

4. The dongle of claim 1, wherein the first electrical interface unit comprises an electrical connection port adapted to receive an electrical plug.

5. The dongle of claim 1, wherein the second electrical interface unit comprises an electrical connection plug adapted to be received in an electrical connection port.

6. The dongle of claim 4, wherein the electrical interface unit is adapted to receive electrical signals from the catheter.

7. The dongle of claim 4, wherein the electrical signals are representative of electrical activity in a patient'"'"'s body.

8. The dongle of claim 4, wherein the electrical signals are representative of position data of a distal portion of the catheter within a patient'"'"'s body.

9. The dongle of claim 4, wherein the electrical interface unit is adapted to transmit RF energy to the catheter.

10. The dongle of claim 1, wherein the body houses at least one printed circuit board.

11. The dongle of claim 10, wherein the at least one printed circuit board is configured to process electrical signals representative of position data of a distal portion of the catheter within a patient'"'"'s body.