Experimental device for simulating bubble generation and blood vessel plaque breaking

Abstract

The invention discloses an experimental device for simulating bubble generation and broken blood vessel plaque, and belongs to the technical field of medical experimental devices. In order to solve the problems of vascular injury risk, insufficient treatment accuracy and poor equipment reliability in the prior art, the device comprises a pore plate, a medicine bag, a hydrogel plaque, a circulating pipeline assembly, a bubble targeted control assembly and a dynamic visual capture assembly, bubbles are generated in a ball cage target spot through laser, and the bubble targeted control assembly is used for controlling the dynamic visual capture assembly. The dynamic vision capturing assembly is used for capturing bubble dynamic deformation and plaque breaking behaviors, the pressure pulsation sensor is combined for measuring the pressure wave transmission rule, and visual research on blood vessel plaque breaking is achieved. Bubble collapse is inhibited through the ball cage target spot to generate overhigh pressure waves, the plaque breaking effect is enhanced, and meanwhile precise dosing is achieved. The device has the advantages of being high in repeated utilization rate, low in manufacturing cost and easy to industrialize, and data support is provided for bubble control plaque breaking of interventional medical equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of medical experimental devices, and in particular to an experimental device for simulating bubble generation to break up vascular plaques. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, bubble-disintegrating vascular plaques have received widespread attention. Affected by the velocity shear layer on the vascular wall and the deposition of low-density lipoprotein in the blood vessels, the blood flow rate is reduced and the residence time of lipid particles near the vascular wall is prolonged. Vascular plaques gradually form, the shear stress in the velocity shear layer near the wall gradually increases, the flow resistance increases, and the growth of plaques is further promoted. The resulting downstream vascular blockage or stenosis greatly affects the blood supply to tissues or organs.

[0003] Liquid laser ablation, an advanced method for inducing micro-bubbles, uses a high-throughput laser to instantly "ignite" blood, causing the liquid to evaporate and form cavitation bubbles. As the cavitation bubbles grow, collapse, and disintegrate, energy is scattered into the surrounding fluid, forming pressure pulses. These pressure waves can reach instantaneous peak pressures of tens of times atmospheric pressure, disrupting blood plaques under the action of the surrounding fluid. However, existing technologies have partially addressed this issue of excessive pressure pulse intensity by incorporating balloon-based drug delivery. However, for particularly biocompatible and elastic balloons, the connection to the catheter is easily damaged, resulting in a short service life, high manufacturing complexity, and limited engineering applications.

[0004] In summary, the existing technology has the following deficiencies:

[0005] 1. Traditional treatment techniques, such as laser direct ablation of plaques, can easily lead to damage to the blood vessel wall;

[0006] 2. Traditional catheter interventional devices have difficulty accurately controlling the extent of plaque fragmentation, which can easily lead to accidental damage to healthy tissue, and the drug delivery and mechanical action are not synchronized;

[0007] 3. The connection between the balloon and the catheter is easily damaged and has a short service life. Summary of the Invention

[0008] In order to solve the problems of vascular damage risk, insufficient treatment accuracy and poor equipment reliability in the existing technology, the present invention proposes an experimental device that simulates bubble generation to break up vascular plaques.

[0009] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above problems is:

[0010] The present invention includes a well plate, a medicine bag, a hydrogel patch, a circulation pipeline component, a bubble targeting control component, and a dynamic visual capture component.

[0011] A circulation pipeline assembly includes a liquid storage tank, a reciprocating pump, a loop pipe, and a glass pipe. The outlet of the liquid storage tank is connected to the inlet of the reciprocating pump through the loop pipe, the outlet of the reciprocating pump is connected to the inlet of the glass pipe through the loop pipe, and the outlet of the glass pipe is connected to the inlet of the liquid storage tank through the loop pipe.

[0012] Orifice plate, located in the glass tube;

[0013] The hydrogel patch is placed in the glass tube and is located upstream of the orifice plate and in contact with the orifice plate surface;

[0014] The bubble targeting control assembly includes a cage target, a catheter, a laser, a drug capsule, and an optical fiber. One end of the catheter is inserted into a glass tube and fixedly connected to the cage target located within the glass tube. The other end of the catheter is fixed to the laser. The optical fiber and drug capsule are located within the catheter. The laser transmits laser light to the cage target through the optical fiber to generate bubbles.

[0015] The dynamic visual capture component is located above the glass tube and includes a first camera and a second camera for visually monitoring the dynamic process of bubbles and plaque rupture behavior.

[0016] Furthermore, the medicine bag is filled with a sodium chloride solution with a concentration of 0.9%. The upper part of the medicine bag is provided with a medicine bag opening, and the catheter is provided with an opening corresponding to the position of the medicine bag opening.

[0017] Furthermore, the tube wall of the conduit located in the glass tube is provided with a light-shielding material.

[0018] Furthermore, the orifice plate is a plate body with a circular through hole in the center, and the height of the hydrogel patch does not exceed the diameter of the central through hole of the orifice plate.

[0019] Furthermore, the inlet and outlet pipes of the liquid storage tank are both installed in the upper middle part of the tank body. The inlet pipe is used to receive the liquid returned from the circulation system, and the outlet pipe is used to transport the liquid to the reciprocating pump for recirculation.

[0020] Furthermore, the ball cage target point is made of elastic material.

[0021] Furthermore, a pressure pulsation sensor is installed on the glass pipe. The pressure pulsation sensor is located near the target point of the ball cage and is at the same radial position as the optical fiber.

[0022] Furthermore, the flow medium in the circulation pipeline assembly is a 48%-60% glycerol aqueous solution.

[0023] The beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0024] 1. The present invention integrates a flow circulation pipeline to realize blood flow, and realizes the coordinated matching of bubble oscillation and plaque fragmentation in a complex environment through bubble targeted control. It also combines a dynamic visual capture system to shoot the deformation and migration of bubbles and plaques during the bubble fragmentation process, constructs the correlation mechanism between the dynamic deformation of plaques and the bubble deformation cycle, and reveals the bubble deformation and pressure wave propagation laws influenced by multiple physical field factors under all working conditions.

[0025] 2. This invention uses lasers and optical fibers to control the size of the initial bubbles, and uses the cage target to suppress the excessive pressure waves generated by the bubbles, thereby reducing the peak pressure on the blood vessel wall. At the same time, the catheter and cage target achieve targeted plaque fragmentation and precise drug delivery.

[0026] 3. The present invention arranges a drug capsule in the catheter, triggering the injection of drug solution through the orifice by bubble pressure, thereby achieving the simultaneous effects of mechanical fragmentation and drug penetration. The drug capsule and the catheter are rigidly connected, resulting in a stable structure, thus avoiding the problem of traditional drug capsules rupturing due to fatigue.

[0027] 4. The present invention realizes in vitro reconstruction of plaque rupture under real blood flow environment by controlling system flow, back pressure, orifice size, bubble equilibrium diameter, bubble growth-collapse time, and plaque hardness. Image recognition and dynamic tracking technology ensure the authenticity of plaque rupture, flow and deformation under complex flow.

[0028] 5. This invention is an invasive medical device that can be applied in the medical field, featuring high reuse, low manufacturing costs, and ease of industrialization. This provides a theoretical basis for improving the service life, reliability, operability, and stability of invasive medical devices. Further research on coordinated control of multiple plaque fragmentation will be conducted to reveal the fragmentation mechanism of vascular plaques in all scenarios, supporting and serving major national projects at the intersection of medicine and engineering. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of the target point of the ball cage of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 3 The present invention is a schematic diagram of hydrogel patch placement;

[0032] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the structure of three orifice plates of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Specific embodiment 1: This embodiment describes an experimental device for simulating bubble generation and rupturing vascular plaques, comprising: a liquid reservoir 1, a first ball valve 2, a reciprocating pump 3, a flow meter 4, a loop pipe 5, a glass pipe 6, a ball cage target 7, a catheter 8, a laser 9, an orifice plate 10, a pressure pulsation sensor 11, a second ball valve 12, a drug capsule 13, an optical fiber 14, a drug capsule orifice 15, a first camera 16, a second camera 17, and a hydrogel plaque 18.

[0034] like Figure 1 As shown, a liquid reservoir 1, a reciprocating pump 3, a loop pipe 5, and a glass tube 6 form a circulation piping assembly used to simulate the intravascular blood flow environment. The outlet of the liquid reservoir 1 is connected to the inlet of the reciprocating pump 3 via the loop pipe 5. The reciprocating pump 3 regulates the system flow. The outlet of the reciprocating pump 3 is connected to the inlet of the glass tube 6 via the loop pipe 5, and the outlet of the glass tube 6 is connected to the inlet of the liquid reservoir 1 via the loop pipe 5. A first ball valve 2 is installed on the loop pipe 5 between the liquid reservoir 1 and the reciprocating pump 3; a second ball valve 12 is installed on the loop pipe 5 between the glass tube 6 and the liquid reservoir 1; and a flowmeter 4 is installed on the loop pipe 5 between the reciprocating pump 3 and the glass tube 6. A pressure pulsation sensor 11 is installed on the glass tube 6. The pressure pulsation sensor 11 is located near the ball cage target point 7 and is at the same radial position as the optical fiber 14. The pressure pulsation sensor 11 measures the pressure pulsation wave transmission during the bubble oscillation process, including the dynamic pressure wave transmission law of the bubble forming, developing, collapsing and breaking up in the ball cage target 7, and gives the pressure wave peak value under different bubble equilibrium diameters.

[0035] Orifice plate 10 is inserted into glass tubing 6. Hydrogel plaque 18, used to simulate vascular plaque, is placed in glass tubing 6 upstream of orifice plate 10 and in contact with the surface of orifice plate 10. This simulates plaque formation at the site of a sudden narrowing of the vessel. Adjusting the hydrogel 18's formulation parameters to vary its hardness allows for simulation of soft and hard plaques, demonstrating excellent biocompatibility and transparency. All fluids are transparent and non-corrosive to the system's tubing wall materials, facilitating observation and measurement using a high-speed camera.

[0036] like Figure 2As shown, a bubble targeting control device consisting of a cage target 7, a catheter 8, a laser 9, and an optical fiber 14 is used to control the size of the initial bubble. One end of the catheter 8 is inserted into the glass tube 6 through a sealed interface and rigidly connected to the cage target 7 within the glass tube 6. The other end of the catheter 8 is fixed to the laser 9. The catheter 8 is equipped with an optical fiber 14 and a drug capsule 13. The laser 9 transmits laser light through the optical fiber 14 to the cage target 7 to generate bubbles. The equilibrium radius of the bubble is controlled by the laser intensity. The cage target 7 enhances pressure wave scattering and suppresses the collapse of bubbles, resulting in excessively high pressure waves. This enhances plaque disruption with minimal impact on the vessels in the tube. Once excited bubbles are generated, they gradually move upward due to buoyancy. Bubble generation is continuous, with up to three to four bubbles appearing within the cage. The interaction between the bubbles not only affects their individual deformation and migration, but also the pressure wave induced by each bubble can affect plaque rupture and transport in the far field. The combined pressure wave resulting from the coupled and interwoven effects between the bubbles is measured by a pressure pulsation sensor. The ball cage target 7 serves as a discontinuous wall surface, which can enhance the interference between the bubble pressure waves, so that the pressure waves are applied to the plaque in a controllable intensity, range and time.

[0037] The medicine bag 13 is filled with a sodium chloride solution having a concentration of 0.9%. A medicine bag opening 15 is provided on the upper portion of the medicine bag 13, and the catheter 8 is provided with an opening corresponding to the position of the medicine bag opening 15. The medicine bag opening 15 can accurately inject the liquid medicine, and achieve targeted and precise control of the medicine through the pressure wave induced by the bubble oscillation. When the bubble collapses in the cage target point 7, the pressure wave generated will push the liquid medicine in the medicine bag 13 to be ejected through the opening 15 at high speed.

[0038] The dynamic visual capture system, located above the glass tube 6, is used to visually monitor the dynamic process of bubbles and plaque rupture behavior. It includes a first camera 16, a second camera 17, photo processing software, a signal converter, a computer, and a mobile platform. Using image recognition, it measures and analyzes the movement of markers and feature points of plaque ruptures, depicting three-dimensional displacement, deformation, and dynamic trajectory. The first and second cameras 16, 17, after processing the images using the computer, can capture images at a maximum of 80,000 frames per second. The first camera 16 captures the dynamic deformation of the hydrogel plaque 18 during each bubble formation process, while the second camera 17 captures the discrete distribution of tiny hydrogel plaque particles ruptured upstream as they flow through the glycerol aqueous solution.

[0039] Preferably, the flowing medium in the circulation pipeline is a 48%-60% glycerol aqueous solution to simulate the density and viscosity of blood, and the medium has the characteristics of high transparency and stable properties.

[0040] Preferably, the orifice plate 10 is a plate with a circular through hole in the center, and three orifice plate sizes are customized to simulate the characteristic sizes of the narrow part to the extremely narrow part of the blood vessel. The orifice plate 10 simulates the degree of vascular stenosis (such as mild, moderate, and severe stenosis) through different diameter sizes. Figure 3 As shown in (a)(b)(c).

[0041] Preferably, the height of the hydrogel plaque 18 does not exceed the diameter of the central through hole of the orifice plate 10. In order to simulate the real blood flow and plaque deposition behavior as much as possible, and to ensure that the hydrogel plaque 18 does not completely block the flow channel, such as Figure 4 As shown;

[0042] Preferably, the tube wall of the catheter 8 in the glass tube 6 is provided with a light-shielding material so that the laser does not directly affect the blood vessel wall.

[0043] Preferably, the inlet and outlet pipes of the liquid storage tank 1 are both installed in the upper middle portion of the tank. The inlet pipe receives liquid returned from the circulation system, and the outlet pipe is used to transport the liquid to the reciprocating pump 3 for recirculation. The connecting pipe is located in the upper middle portion of the tank to prevent the outflowing glycerol aqueous solution and hydrogel mixture from re-entering the flow cycle. The dimensions of the liquid storage tank 1 are 500mm×500mm×300mm. Combined with high-speed imaging technology, the pressure wave is coordinated with the spatiotemporal evolution of bubble oscillations to plot the peak curve of the pressure wave in the solution.

[0044] Preferably, the cage target 7 is made of a material with good elasticity, such as medical silicone or nickel-titanium alloy. Its porous or grid structure can scatter pressure waves, reduce local peak pressure, inhibit excessive pressure waves generated by bubble collapse, and enhance plaque fragmentation through pressure wave interference.

[0045] This embodiment achieves fluid circulation within the system through a liquid reservoir 1, a reciprocating pump 3, a loop pipe 5, and a glass tube 6. The initial bubble size is controlled by a laser 9 and an optical fiber 14. The excessive pressure waves generated by the bubbles are suppressed by a ball cage target 7. The catheter 8 and ball cage target 7 achieve targeted plaque fragmentation and precise drug delivery. Differently sized orifice plates 10 are used to simulate sudden changes in vascular diameter. Hydrogels are prepared into shapes and sizes similar to vascular plaques and placed in a fluid system simulating blood vessels. A high-speed imaging unit is used to visualize the dynamic process of bubble formation, development, collapse, and disintegration, as well as plaque rupture behavior. This reveals the mechanism of laser bubble action on plaque fragmentation and further provides a coordinated control strategy for plaque fragmentation. This experimental device can be applied in the medical field as an invasive medical device with high reuse rate, low manufacturing cost, and ease of industrialization.

[0046] Specific embodiment 2: The experimental method of simulating bubble generation and breaking up vascular plaques described in this embodiment is implemented through the following steps:

[0047] Step 1: insert the orifice plate 10 into the glass tube and place the hydrogel patch 18 upstream of the orifice plate 10.

[0048] Step 2: injecting 0.9% sodium chloride solution into the medicine bag; the concentration of the sodium chloride solution is 0.9%; the medicine bag 13 is provided with a medicine bag opening 15 on the upper part, and the catheter 8 is provided with an opening corresponding to the position of the medicine bag opening 15;

[0049] Step 3: Load the entire structure of the ball cage target 7 and the catheter 8 into the glass pipe 6, and open the entire circulation pipe, that is, open the first ball valve 2, the second ball valve 12 and the reciprocating pump 3;

[0050] Step 4: Based on the data measured by the pressure pulsation sensor 11, when the pressure is stable and the leak detection is passed, turn on the high-speed camera 16 and the light source device 17, and turn on the laser 9 at the same time;

[0051] Step 4: The laser 9 sets the output power to induce bubble generation at the end of the optical fiber 14. When the bubble is stably generated, the pressure wave peak of the pressure pulsation sensor 11 is captured;

[0052] Step 5: The first camera 16 captures the entire process of bubble formation, growth, collapse, and disintegration, focusing on the coordinated matching relationship between bubble deformation and the shedding of hydrogel plaque fragments; the second camera 17 tracks the movement of upstream hydrogel plaque particles downstream, and obtains two-dimensional or three-dimensional displacement, velocity, and acceleration measurements of the plaque fragments;

[0053] Step 6: Replace the orifice plate 10 with one of different pore sizes and configure hydrogel patches 18 of different hardness, and repeat the above steps to simulate the plaque breakage experiment in a full scenario.

[0054] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not constitute any form of limitation to the present invention. Although the present invention has been disclosed as a preferred embodiment as above, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any technician familiar with the present profession can make some changes or modifications to equivalent embodiments of equivalent changes using the technical content disclosed above without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention. However, any simple modification, equivalent replacement and improvement of the above embodiments made according to the technical essence of the present invention, within the spirit and principles of the present invention, without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present invention, shall still fall within the scope of protection of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. An experimental device for simulating bubble generation and breaking up vascular plaques, characterized by: It includes a well plate (10), a medicine bag (13), a hydrogel patch (18), a circulation pipeline component, a bubble targeting control component, and a dynamic visual capture component. A circulation pipeline assembly comprises a liquid storage tank (1), a reciprocating pump (3), a loop pipe (5), and a glass pipe (6); the outlet of the liquid storage tank (1) is connected to the inlet of the reciprocating pump (3) via the loop pipe (5); the outlet of the reciprocating pump (3) is connected to the inlet of the glass pipe (6) via the loop pipe (5); and the outlet of the glass pipe (6) is connected to the inlet of the liquid storage tank (1) via the loop pipe (5); an orifice plate (10) located in the glass tube (6); The hydrogel patch (18) is placed in the glass tube (6) and is located upstream of the orifice plate (10) and in surface contact with the orifice plate (10); The bubble targeting control component comprises a ball cage target point (7), a catheter (8), a laser (9), a medicine capsule (13) and an optical fiber (14); one end of the catheter (8) is inserted into a glass tube (6) and fixedly connected to the ball cage target point (7) located in the glass tube (6); the other end of the catheter (8) is fixed to the laser (9), and the optical fiber (14) and the medicine capsule (13) are arranged in the catheter (8); the laser (9) transmits laser light to the ball cage target point (7) through the optical fiber (14) to generate bubbles; The dynamic visual capture component is located above the glass tube (6) and includes a first camera (16) and a second camera (17) for visually monitoring the dynamic process of bubbles and plaque rupture behavior.

2. The experimental device for simulating bubble generation and breaking up vascular plaque according to claim 1, characterized in that: The medicine bag (13) is filled with a sodium chloride solution with a concentration of 0.9%. The upper part of the medicine bag (13) is provided with a medicine bag opening (15), and the catheter (8) is provided with an opening corresponding to the position of the medicine bag opening (15).

3. The experimental device for simulating bubble generation and breaking up vascular plaque according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tube wall of the conduit (8) located in the glass tube (6) is provided with light-shielding material.

4. The experimental device for simulating bubble generation and breaking up vascular plaque according to claim 1, characterized in that: The orifice plate (10) is a plate body with a circular through hole in the center, and the height of the hydrogel patch (18) does not exceed the diameter of the central through hole of the orifice plate (10).

5. The experimental device for simulating bubble generation and breaking up vascular plaque according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inlet and outlet pipes of the liquid storage tank (1) are both installed at the middle and upper part of the tank body. The inlet pipe is used to receive the liquid returned from the circulation system, and the outlet pipe is used to transport the liquid to the reciprocating pump (3) for recirculation.

6. The experimental method for simulating bubble generation and breaking up vascular plaque according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ball cage target point (7) is made of elastic material.

7. The experimental device for simulating bubble generation and breaking up vascular plaque according to claim 1, characterized in that: A pressure pulsation sensor (11) is installed on the glass pipe (6). The pressure pulsation sensor (11) is located near the ball cage target point (7) and is at the same radial position as the optical fiber (14).

8. The experimental device for simulating bubble generation and breaking up vascular plaque according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flowing medium in the circulation pipeline assembly is a 48%-60% glycerol aqueous solution.

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