Balloon Catheter Radial Tissue Stiffness Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for characterizing the mechanical properties of soft tissues in vivo are either destructive, unable to apply forces outside physiological ranges, or lack nondestructive and real-time capabilities, which are essential for designing growth-adaptable medical devices and diagnosing tissue fibrosis.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing a balloon catheter to measure tissue stiffness in the radial direction by inserting the catheter into a tissue lumen, pressurizing it to expand and induce radial stress, monitoring pressure changes, and determining tissue stiffness based on pressure and diameter measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If destructive methods are used to characterize tissue mechanical properties, then measurement accuracy is improved, but tissue damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional destructive mechanical testing methods with an in vivo pressure-balloon system that measures tissue mechanical properties through non-destructive pressure application and volume measurement, eliminating the need to excise or damage tissue samples
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a compliant balloon as an intermediary element between the pressure source and the tissue, allowing indirect measurement of tissue mechanical properties through pressure-volume relationships without direct contact or damage to the tissue
2Object-affected harmful factors
If in vivo measurement methods are used, then nondestructive capability is improved, but ability to apply forces outside physiological ranges deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamically controllable pressure system that can adjust pressure levels in real-time during the measurement process, enabling the application of forces both within and beyond physiological ranges while continuously monitoring tissue response to determine mechanical properties across a broad stress spectrum
3Measurement precision
If ex vivo testing methods are used, then measurement capability is improved, but real-time measurement capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary positioning and preparation of the balloon catheter in vivo before the actual measurement, allowing subsequent rapid pressure application and immediate data acquisition, thereby achieving both accurate mechanical property measurement and real-time capability without requiring tissue excision
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 nondestructive, in vivo measurement of tissue stiffness beyond physiological ranges, facilitating the design of growth-adaptable medical devices and providing diagnostic capabilities for tissue fibrosis and other pathological conditions.
Implementation Method 1
pressurizing the balloon catheter with a fluid to cause the balloon catheter to expand
Implementation Method 2
induce radial stress in the tissue... determining the stiffness of the tissue
Data Source
AI summary
A system can include a balloon catheter, a pump, a pressure sensor, and one or more processors, The balloon catheter can be configured to be inserted into a lumen of a tissue. The pump can be configured to provide fluid into the balloon catheter to cause the balloon catheter to induce a radial stress of the tissue. The pressure sensor can be configured to detect a pressure of the fluid while the balloon catheter is inducing the radial stress of the tissue. The one or more processors can be configured to determine a characteristic of the tissue based at least on the pressure.