A 96-Channel Electrophysiology Catheter with Integrated Read-Out ASIC and Optical Link

This paper describes a realization of an electrophysiology (EP) catheter with 96 electrodes which requires no electrical wiring to the outside by relying on an optical link for both power supply and data communication. The catheter tip is constructed from a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) material. It features 96 gold electrodes, which are uniformly arranged along an expandable basket. An integrated ASIC amplifies, filters and digitizes the EP signals and establishes communication to a data processing unit outside the patient's body. The optical interface consists of a conventional multi-mode fiber and a single blue LED inside the catheter. The external unit used to generate optical power, establish communication and perform data post-processing comprises a laser module, optics, and electrical components. The catheter is designed to capture EP signals in the range of 600 µVpp to 20 mVpp in a frequency range between 8 Hz and 120 Hz.