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System and method for measuring force and torque applied to a catheter electrode tip

  • US 8,864,757 B2
  • Filed: 12/31/2008
  • Issued: 10/21/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2008
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A contact sensing assembly comprising:

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

    a bendable electrode pipe comprising an inner surface, a proximal end, and a distal end;

    wherein the electrode pipe is completely enclosed in the catheter body; and

    a flexible electrode wire including insulation thereon and comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the electrode wire is completely enclosed in the electrode pipe and setoff from the inner surface of the electrode pipe when the catheter body is in a non-bent configuration, wherein the proximal end of the electrode wire is mechanically coupled to the proximal end of the electrode pipe; and

    wherein a non-coupled portion of the electrode wire is adapted to move toward and away from the inner surface of the electrode pipe when the catheter body bends,wherein a change in capacitance resulting from a change in a relative distance between the non-coupled portion of the electrode wire and the inner surface of the electrode pipe during bending of the electrode pipe directly correlates to a force applied to the catheter.

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