Enhanced Coronary Sinus Catheter Handle with Integrated Sensor and Improved Ergonomics

Publication ID: 24-11857738_0001_PTD
Published: October 28, 2025
Category:Direct Improvements & Enhancements

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Enhanced Coronary Sinus Catheter Handle with Integrated Sensor and Improved Ergonomics,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857738_0001_PTD, Published October 28, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857738_0001_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,738.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

The present inventive concept relates to an improved coronary sinus catheter handle that enhances the stability, ergonomics, and safety of the catheter system, providing real-time feedback to the operator and reducing the risk of vessel damage.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent disclosed a stabilized coronary sinus catheter system with a control handle for steerable catheters operable with one hand. However, the original design had limitations in terms of tactile feedback, distal tip deflection angle, and ergonomics. The present inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing an integrated sensor, optimized distal tip deflection angle, and improved ergonomics.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The enhanced coronary sinus catheter handle comprises an integrated single-axis location sensor disposed at the distal tip, which provides real-time feedback to the operator. The handle also features a contoured grip designed to fit comfortably in the operator's hand, with an adjustable handle length to accommodate operators of varying hand sizes. Furthermore, the distal tip deflection actuator is optimized to reduce the risk of vessel damage, and the control interface is simplified to minimize operator error. The inventive concept also includes an automatic shut-off mechanism that disables the distal tip deflection actuator in response to excessive force or pressure, and a warning system that alerts the operator of potential vessel damage.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The present inventive concept introduces a novel combination of an integrated sensor, optimized distal tip deflection angle, and improved ergonomics, which provides a significant improvement over the original patent. The inventive concept's novelty lies in the integration of these features, which enhances the stability, safety, and usability of the coronary sinus catheter system.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept may include varying the type and location of the sensor, modifying the contoured grip design, or using different materials for the handle. Additionally, the inventive concept could be adapted for use in other medical procedures or applications.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The enhanced coronary sinus catheter handle has significant commercial potential in the medical device industry, particularly in the field of electrophysiology and cardiac procedures. The inventive concept's improved ergonomics, safety features, and real-time feedback capabilities make it an attractive solution for hospitals, clinics, and medical professionals.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61M25/0136
A A61 A61M25/0138
A A61 A61M25/0147
A A61 A61M2025/0166
A A61 A61M2205/0266
A A61 A61M2210/125

Field of Art

Medical device engineering, specifically interventional cardiology catheter systems, involving advanced electrophysiological medical device design with expertise in mechanical engineering, sensor integration, and ergonomic human factors

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A biomedical engineer with 5-7 years experience in medical device design, familiar with catheter system mechanics, sensor technologies, and human factors engineering, possessing advanced degrees in biomedical or mechanical engineering

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the PTD's variations represent predictable incremental improvements to the source patent's coronary sinus catheter handle design, utilizing known techniques of sensor integration, ergonomic optimization, and safety feature implementation that are standard design evolution strategies in medical device engineering.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Distal tip deflection actuator with pull wire mechanism
PTD Variation
Integrated automatic shut-off mechanism to prevent excessive force during catheter manipulation
Obviousness Reasoning
Adding safety interlocks to mechanical systems is a known technique in medical device design, representing a predictable solution to potential user error risks
Source Patent Element
Single axis location sensor at distal tip
PTD Variation
Real-time feedback processing unit providing operator alerts
Obviousness Reasoning
Enhancing sensor data interpretation through computational processing is an obvious extension of existing sensor technologies, representing a standard engineering improvement
Source Patent Element
Catheter handle with proximal and medial stiffness sections
PTD Variation
Contoured, adjustable handle with variable length to accommodate different hand sizes
Obviousness Reasoning
Ergonomic customization of medical device interfaces is a well-established design approach addressing human factors engineering principles
Source Patent Element
Distal tip deflection mechanism
PTD Variation
Optimized deflection angle with integrated warning system for potential vessel damage
Obviousness Reasoning
Refining mechanical movement parameters with safety monitoring represents a logical and predictable design evolution in medical device engineering
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11857738, a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the variations disclosed in the present technical publication to be obvious extensions of the prior art, representing incremental improvements that would be readily conceived by a skilled practitioner without requiring inventive insight, thus rendering potential derivative claims obvious under 35 U.S.C. ยง 103.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,738
TitleStabilized coronary sinus catheter handle
Assignee(s)Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.