Balloon Catheter Optical Contact Detection Through Transparent Membranes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheter systems face challenges in accurately verifying contact between the catheter's expandable membrane and tissue during medical procedures, particularly in cardiac applications, which can affect the effectiveness and safety of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing an optical fiber-based contact detection method, where light is transmitted and returned through a transparent expandable membrane of the catheter, with a detector analyzing changes in light intensity to determine tissue contact, enabling improved maneuverability and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional contact verification methods are used, then the system can detect tissue contact, but the flexibility and maneuverability of the catheter are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact sensors with an optical measurement system. Light is transmitted through the transparent expandable membrane, and changes in light intensity or optical properties are detected to verify tissue contact. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical sensors that would compromise catheter flexibility, allowing the membrane to remain fully flexible while achieving accurate contact verification through optical means.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a transparent expandable membrane that serves as both a flexible structural component and an optical transmission medium. The membrane's transparency allows light to pass through it, enabling contact detection without requiring embedded mechanical sensors. This flexible thin film structure maintains catheter maneuverability while providing the necessary optical pathway for contact verification.
2Measurement precision
If mechanical contact sensors are embedded in the catheter, then contact detection is possible, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical contact sensor assemblies with a simplified optical system. Instead of embedding mechanical sensors, electrodes, or other complex detection mechanisms in the catheter, the invention uses light transmission through the transparent membrane with external or integrated light sources and detectors. This substitution significantly reduces device complexity while maintaining contact detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent expandable membrane serves multiple functions: it provides the structural framework for the catheter tip, maintains flexibility for navigation, and acts as an optical transmission medium for contact detection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mechanical sensor components, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
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
Enhances the accuracy of contact verification between the catheter and tissue, allowing for better flexibility and maneuverability, thereby improving the effectiveness of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
Implementation Method 1
Transmitted light is guided in an optical fiber inside the distal-end assembly, to interact with the tissue of the cavity. Returned light that interacted with the tissue is guided via the same optical fiber.
Data Source
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AI summary
A medical system includes a catheter, a light source, a detector, a circulator, and a processor. The catheter includes a distal-end assembly for performing a medical operation on tissue in a cavity of an organ of a patient, the distal-end assembly including an optical fiber configured to guide transmitted light to interact with the tissue of the cavity, and to guide returned light that interacted with the tissue. The light source is configured to produce the transmitted light. The detector is configured to measure the returned light. The circulator is configured to couple the transmitted light from the light source to the optical fiber, and to couple the returned light from the optical fiber to the detector. The processor is configured to identify a contact of the distal-end assembly with the tissue based on the returned light measured by the detector, and to indicate the identified contact to a user.