Balloon Catheter with Embedded LEDs for Vessel Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheters, both with and without balloons, face challenges in accurately locating the electrodes within vessels during procedures such as bariatric and anti-reflux surgery, making it difficult to determine cross-sectional area, diameter, and volume, as well as aligning ablating electrodes with the target tissue.
Innovation Solution
A catheter equipped with indicating means, such as light outputting diodes, that emit detectable signals to facilitate accurate location using an imaging device, allowing for precise placement of the catheter or balloon catheter within the vessel or lumen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If indicating means are added to the catheter to enable location detection, then the ease of operation and measurement precision improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The indicating means (light sources) are integrated within the catheter structure, with light sources positioned at the distal end and along the shaft, nested within the catheter body rather than externally attached. This allows the indication system to be contained within the existing catheter form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
Light sources serve as an intermediary mechanism between the catheter position and the observer/imaging system. The light sources emit visible light that can be detected by imaging devices or directly observed, mediating the transmission of positional information from the intraluminal catheter to the external observer.
2Measurement precision
If multiple light sources are positioned along the catheter for accurate location, then the measurement precision improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into multiple segments with light sources positioned at specific locations: distal end light sources adjacent to electrodes, and intermediate light sources along the shaft. This segmentation allows each light source to indicate the position of specific functional elements, improving measurement precision while enabling modular manufacturing approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies that light sources are positioned at predetermined intervals along the catheter shaft, with specific spacing relationships to electrodes. This parameter-based positioning system standardizes the placement requirements, making manufacturing more predictable and quality control more straightforward.
3Manufacturing precision
If light sources are positioned adjacent to each electrode, then the measurement precision and alignment accuracy improve, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the catheter have different functional characteristics: the distal end contains light sources adjacent to measuring/ablating electrodes for precise localization of functional elements, while intermediate portions contain light sources at predetermined intervals for general position indication. This local differentiation optimizes each section for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The light sources are pre-positioned during catheter manufacturing at specific locations relative to electrodes and along the shaft. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the catheter is deployed, the light sources are already in the correct positions to indicate electrode locations and catheter orientation, eliminating the need for post-deployment calibration.
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
Enables accurate computation of cross-sectional area and volume, and ensures precise alignment of ablating electrodes, improving the accuracy and ease of catheter placement during surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The light transmitting means comprises at least one optical fibre
Data Source
AI summary
A balloon catheter (60) includes an elongated catheter member (63) and an inflatable balloon (65) located adjacent a distal end (5) of the catheter member (63). Band type measuring electrodes (7) located on the catheter member (63) within the balloon (65) include a pair of outer stimulating electrodes (8) and sensing electrodes (9) for measuring the cross-sectional area and volume of the balloon (65) by impedance planimetry measuring. A light emitting diode (20) is located on each measuring electrode (7) for emitting light so that the location of the balloon catheter, and in particular, the measuring electrodes (7) can be detected in a vessel (91) with a translucent wall within the body of a human subject. By capturing an image of the vessel and the light from the light emitting diodes (20) emanating through a translucent wall of the vessel by an imaging device (92) located within the human body externally of the vessel (91), the location of the balloon catheter and the electrodes (7) within the vessel can be determined.