Optic-based contact sensing assembly and system
First Claim
1. A contact sensing assembly comprising:
- a catheter including a body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis;
an electrode including a tip portion and a base portion, one of the tip portion and the base portion of the electrode being connected to the distal end of the catheter;
at least one optical sensor configured to emit and receive an optical signal along an optical path, at least a part of the optical path being transverse to the longitudinal 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 and configured for interfering with the transverse part of the optical path.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
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.
23 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A contact sensing assembly comprising:
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a catheter including a body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis; an electrode including a tip portion and a base portion, one of the tip portion and the base portion of the electrode being connected to the distal end of the catheter; at least one optical sensor configured to emit and receive an optical signal along an optical path, at least a part of the optical path being transverse to the longitudinal 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 and configured for interfering with the transverse part of the optical path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An optical-based catheter system comprising:
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a catheter including a body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis; an electrode including a tip portion and a base portion, one of the tip portion and the base portion of the electrode being connected to the distal end of the catheter; at least one optical sensor configured to emit and receive an optical signal along an optical path, at least a part of the optical path being transverse to the longitudinal 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 and configured for interfering with the transverse part of the optical path; a light energy source; a processor; and a catheter mapping unit for use in mapping or visualizing a location of the catheter. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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22. An elongate medical device comprising:
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an elongate shaft having a distal end portion and defining a longitudinal axis; an electrode including a tip portion and a base portion, one of the tip portion and the base portion of the electrode being connected to the distal end portion of the elongate shaft; an optical sensor, the optical sensor comprising an emitter configured to emit an optical signal along an optical path and a receiver configured to receive the optical signal, the optical sensor being operatively connected to one of the electrode and the elongate shaft; and an appendage operatively connected to one of the electrode and the elongate shaft and arranged and configured so as to interfere with a part of the optical path that is transverse to the longitudinal axis. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification