Balloon Catheter Constraining Structure for Vessel Trauma Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional angioplasty balloons cause vessel trauma due to non-uniform expansion and excessive radial forces, leading to high rates of vessel dissections and poor long-term results, as they displace the vessel wall and fail to provide strain relief.
Innovation Solution
A balloon catheter with an elastic constraining structure featuring spaced constraining rings and grooves that form balloon segments (pillows) to control inflation, reducing radial forces and minimizing vessel elongation, allowing for gentle plaque extrusion and strain relief.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional angioplasty balloons are used to dilate vessel lesions, then plaque compression can be achieved, but vessel trauma occurs due to non-uniform expansion and excessive radial forces
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon is segmented into multiple independent compartments or pillows separated by grooves, allowing each segment to expand independently and uniformly, distributing radial forces evenly across the vessel wall to prevent trauma while maintaining effective plaque compression
Solution Approach 2:
The balloon structure incorporates varying local properties with constrained regions and free-expansion regions, where constraining rings provide structural support in specific areas while allowing controlled expansion in others, optimizing both plaque compression and vessel wall protection
2Strength
If conventional balloons expand in the axial direction during inflation, then plaque compression can be achieved, but longitudinal stretch accelerates propagation of cracks in the vessel wall
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon is divided into multiple segmented pillows that expand primarily in the radial direction rather than axially, with grooves between segments preventing longitudinal stretch and thereby reducing the propagation of cracks in the vessel wall
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of allowing axial expansion as in conventional balloons, the design inverts the expansion mechanism by using a constraining structure that forces radial expansion while preventing axial elongation, thus achieving plaque compression without causing vessel dissections
3Force
If cutting blades or scoring elements are added to increase local force, then resistant lesions can be penetrated, but aggressive metallic components cause trauma and leave metal footprint on the vessel wall
Solution Approach 1:
The design replaces aggressive mechanical cutting or scoring elements with a controlled radial expansion mechanism using compliant balloon material and constraining rings, achieving lesion penetration through uniform distributed force rather than focal metallic cutting, thereby avoiding additional trauma and metal footprint
Solution Approach 2:
The balloon structure modifies the physical parameters of force application by controlling radial expansion pressure and distribution through the constraining structure, enabling sufficient force to penetrate resistant lesions while maintaining a non-aggressive, uniform pressure profile that prevents vessel wall trauma
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
The solution decreases the rate of vessel dissections and perforations by providing controlled, non-aggressive dilation, enhancing plaque extrusion and reducing trauma to the vessel wall through uniform inflation and strain relief.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic constraining structure mounted over the balloon where the structure has a mechanism of expansion to control the balloon inflation
Implementation Method 2
plaque extrusion and minimize vessel trauma
Data Source
AI summary
A constraining structure for use with a balloon catheter can include multiple longitudinal struts and multiple, sinusoidal shaped radial rings. The constraining structure can expand to form a pattern of channels including substantially square windows. The constraining structure can modify, restrict, and control a shape and/or size of the balloon when inflated. Inflating the balloon catheter within the constraining structure can provide nonuniform pressure on a vessel wall adjacent the balloon.