Bus-based, miniaturized multi-sensory catheter system

Abstract

One trend in medical technology is the continuous miniaturization of components, assemblies and complete systems. Such complete systems are functionalized catheters with different sensor and actuator components [1–8]. If even the smallest bottlenecks, for example in blood vessels, are to be reached in the human body, the catheter diameter must be further reduced with the same functionalization. A new approach is chosen, which does not apply the supply and signal lines to the catheter surface or insert them into the existing lumen, but becomes a direct and inseparable part of the catheter. Contacting these conducting tracks with the electronic components is one of the key processes in the manufacture of this type of catheter. A final demonstrator is used for functional testing.