Method of forming electrode placement and connection systems

• US 8,333,012 B2
• Filed: 10/08/2009
• Issued: 12/18/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc. (Intuitive Surgical Holdings, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Voyage Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Rothe, Chris A., Gandionco, Isidro M., Tam, Edmund, Saadat, Vahid, Miller, David, Malchano, Zachary J., Swaminathan, Veerappan
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham, Thiem
• Application Number:
  US12/575,674
• Publication Number:
  US 20100094081A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,167 Days
• Field of Search: 298/84, 298/25, 298/29, 298/46, 298/74, 600/101, 600/104, 600/109, 600/129, 600/373, 600/476, 606/15, 606/142, 606/194, 606/200
• US Class Current: 29/884
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0008 characterised by distal tip features
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00087 Tools A61B17/00234 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00089 Hoods
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/3137 for examination of the interior of blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49124 On flat or curved insulated base, e.g., printed circuit, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49155 Manufacturing circuit on or in base
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49222 forming array of contacts or terminals

Abstract

Electrode placement and connection systems are described which allow for the electrical connection and maintenance of one or more electrodes positioned on a substrate which is subjected to a variety of mechanical stresses. Such a system may include an imaging hood having an aperture through which transparent fluid is flowed and one or more electrodes positioned along or about the hood. As the hood is configured between a low-profile and opened configuration, these electrodes may remain electrically coupled despite the mechanical stresses subjected to the electrodes and the connections thereto.

Claims

1. A method of forming one or more conductive elements along a hood, comprising:

providing a mandrel comprised of a substrate and having a conical configuration sized for intravascular advancement through a vessel;

coating a first elastomeric layer upon the mandrel;

disposing one or more conductive elements along the first elastomeric layer;

coating a second elastomeric layer upon the first elastomeric layer such that the one or more conductive elements are encased between the first layer and second layer; and

dissolving the substrate such that a conical hood remains having the one or more conductive elements integrally formed along the hood.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the mandrel is comprised of acrylic.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the mandrel defines one or more grooves or channels thereon for positioning of the one or more conductive elements.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising forming at least one aperture through the hood.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein disposing one or more conductive elements comprises laying conductive traces along the first elastomeric layer.