Rotational Atherectomy Device Eccentric Abrasives Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rotational atherectomy devices face challenges in effectively removing stenotic lesions from blood vessels due to limitations in the design of abrasive elements and stability elements, which affect the stability and predictability of the orbital motion.
Innovation Solution
The rotational atherectomy device features an elongate flexible drive shaft with multiple eccentric abrasive elements and weighted stability elements, ensuring a stable and predictable orbital path. The abrasive elements are offset from each other around the drive shaft, creating a spiral path, and are surrounded by a flexible polymer coating for enhanced stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple eccentric abrasive elements are used to treat large-diameter vessels, then the treatment capability is improved, but the orbital motion stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs stability elements with mass distributed to counterbalance the eccentric abrasive elements. These counterweight elements are positioned at specific locations along the drive shaft to offset the centrifugal forces generated by the eccentric abrasives, thereby stabilizing the orbital motion while maintaining the ability to treat large-diameter vessels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the mass distribution parameters along the drive shaft by introducing stability elements with specific masses at predetermined positions. This changes the overall mass distribution parameter of the system, creating a balanced configuration that maintains orbital stability even with multiple eccentric abrasive elements present.
2Productivity
If abrasive elements are offset from each other around the drive shaft, then the ablation effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the ablation function into multiple discrete abrasive elements positioned at different angular locations around the drive shaft. Each abrasive element operates independently to remove plaque, and their collective action provides comprehensive coverage of the vessel wall, improving ablation effectiveness while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular segmentation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design enhances the ability to treat large-diameter vessels while maintaining a small introducer sheath size, providing a stable and predictable rotary motion for effective ablation of stenotic lesions, thereby improving blood flow.
Implementation Method 1
rotating one or more abrasive elements to abrade and breakdown the lesion
Implementation Method 2
one or more weighted stability elements are attached to the drive shaft such that at least one stability element is distal of the abrasive element
Data Source
AI summary
Rotational atherectomy devices and systems can remove or reduce stenotic lesions in blood vessels by rotating one or more abrasive elements within the vessel. The abrasive elements can be attached to a distal portion of an elongate flexible drive shaft that extends from a handle assembly that includes a driver for rotating the drive shaft. In particular implementations, individual abrasive elements are attached to the drive shaft at differing radial angles in comparison to each other (e.g., configured in a helical array). The centers of mass of the abrasive elements can define a path that fully or partially spirals around the drive shaft. In some embodiments, a distal stability element with a center of mass aligned with the longitudinal axis is fixedly mounted to the drive shaft.