Balloon Dilatation System with Real-Time Pressure and Flow Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current balloon dilation systems for treating cardiovascular diseases use low-precision mechanical pressure gauges, increasing the risk of blood vessel rupture during the dilation process.

Innovation Solution

A balloon dilation system incorporating a signal collecting module, main controller, pressurization module, pressure relief module, pressure sensors, and flow rate sensors to monitor and adjust liquid pressure and flow rate in real-time, ensuring safe operation by controlling the pressurization and pressure relief processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a low-precision mechanical pressure gauge is used to monitor balloon pressure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates leading to increased risk of blood vessel rupture

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidmeasurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical pressure gauge with an electronic pressure sensor system that converts pressure into electrical signals for digital processing. This substitution enables precise real-time pressure monitoring while allowing for automated control algorithms, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and measurement precision by using electronic systems that provide both accuracy and programmable control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a closed-loop feedback system where the pressure sensor continuously monitors balloon pressure and feeds this information back to the control unit, which automatically adjusts the pressurization pump and pressure relief valve operations. This feedback mechanism ensures high measurement precision is maintained while the automated control reduces the need for complex manual monitoring procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If manual pressure monitoring is used during balloon dilation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to human error and delayed response

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the system to monitor and control itself through automated algorithms that process sensor data and adjust pressurization parameters without continuous manual intervention. The control unit automatically determines when to pressurize, maintain, or relieve pressure based on real-time sensor feedback, making the system self-regulating while providing operators with simple interface controls for overall process management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The real-time feedback from pressure sensors and flow rate sensors enables the control unit to automatically respond to changing conditions, ensuring reliable operation without requiring constant manual monitoring. This automated feedback loop maintains high reliability while keeping the operator interface simple and easy to use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If real-time pressure and flow rate monitoring is implemented, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control systems

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple sensing functions into a unified control system where the pressure sensor and flow rate sensor data are processed by a single control unit that manages both pressurization and pressure relief operations. This multi-functional integration reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate dedicated systems for each function, while maintaining high reliability through comprehensive monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the pressurization control and pressure relief control into a single integrated system managed by one control unit that receives input from both pressure and flow rate sensors. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate control circuits and interfaces, making the system more manageable despite the added monitoring capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Productivity

If automated pressurization and pressure relief control is implemented, then the productivity is improved through faster response time, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The automated control system uses real-time feedback from pressure and flow rate sensors to immediately respond to changing conditions, enabling rapid pressurization and pressure relief operations that improve productivity. The control unit processes sensor data and adjusts system parameters automatically, providing fast response times without requiring complex manual coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-regulation through automated algorithms that control pressurization and pressure relief operations based on real-time sensor feedback, eliminating the need for complex manual coordination and enabling rapid response to changing conditions, thus improving productivity while keeping the operator interface simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 system enhances safety by adjusting liquid pressure and capacity within safe ranges, reducing the risk of blood vessel rupture and improving the efficacy of the dilation process.

Implementation Method 1

a first pressure sensor arranged on the balloon catheter... configured to detect liquid pressure in the balloon catheter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure sensing: Piezoresistive Effect

Implementation Method 2

a flow rate sensor arranged on the balloon catheter... configured to detect liquid flow rate in the balloon catheter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow rate sensing: Venturi Effect

Implementation Method 3

a pressurization module... configured to pressurize liquid in the balloon through the balloon catheter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressurization: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 4

a pressure relief module... configured to relieve pressure of liquid in the balloon through the balloon catheter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDepressurisation: Pressure Drop

Data Source

PatentUS11844915B2Balloon dilatation system
Publication Date: 2023.12.19 SURGSCI SHENZHEN MEDICAL TECH CO LTD
  • US11844915B2 patent drawing
  • US11844915B2 patent drawing
  • US11844915B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Provided is a balloon dilatation system, which includes a signal collecting module, a main controller, a pressurization module, a pressure relief module, a first pressure sensor, a flow rate sensor, a balloon catheter and a balloon. The signal collecting module is electrically connected to the main controller, and is configured to collect a control signal and send the control signal to the main controller; the main controller is electrically connected to the pressurization module and the pressure relief module; the pressurization module is connected to the balloon through the balloon catheter; the pressure relief module is connected to the balloon through the balloon catheter; the first pressure sensor is arranged on the balloon catheter and is configured to monitor a first liquid pressure of the balloon; the flow rate sensor is arranged on the balloon catheter and is configured to monitor a liquid flow rate of the balloon catheter.