The Smiths Interconnect team was awarded the project as the design was not only highly reliable but also tripled the density of the connector in a small footprint.
Smiths Interconnect’s high density HyperGrip connectors were ideal because they offered up to 84 signal contacts in a reasonably sized, easy to use package. The HyperGrip receptacle fit nicely into the catheter handle and the simpler target contacts were incorporated in the disposable receptacle, where they can be most cost effective. The design allowed for the contacts to be selectively loaded, since fewer than 84 contacts were required, enabling easier upgrade of the system in the future without changing the bill of material.
Smiths also worked with the customer to provide the mating disposable receptacle cable assembly, with 64 #42AWG wires, which they incorporate into the catheters, as well as the reusable extension cable terminated to the high density HG series plug, to mate these catheters to their system. This allowed the device manufacturer to focus on designing the “business” end of the mapping catheter.