Balloon Catheter Inflation Syringe With Pressure Feedback and Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manual inflation syringes for balloon catheters in angioplasty procedures are prone to misapplication due to lack of pressure limitation, reading errors, and incorrect filling of contrast agent, leading to potential vessel blockage, patient discomfort, and health risks.
Innovation Solution
A partially filled and labeled syringe with a built-in pressure sensor and drive unit, allowing precise control of pressure and contrast agent mixture, featuring a three-way stopcock for venting and deflation, and machine-readable codes for automated data verification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If manual inflation syringe is used without pressure limitation, then pressure can be built up to 30 bar, but pressures above permissible range may be generated leading to misapplication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism through a pressure sensor that continuously monitors the pressure in the syringe and provides real-time information to the control unit. The control unit compares the measured pressure against the target pressure value and automatically adjusts the syringe plunger position to maintain accurate pressure control, preventing over-pressurization while ensuring sufficient pressure for balloon inflation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical manual operation system with an electromechanical control system. The control unit uses electrical signals to actuate the syringe plunger via a motor or pneumatic actuator, substituting manual mechanical control with automated electromechanical control that provides precise pressure regulation through electronic feedback loops.
2Quantity of substance
If manual filling of contrast agent is performed, then amount can be adjusted, but incorrectly selected or set amount may lead to incorrect use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the syringe with a predetermined amount of contrast agent solution based on the selected balloon catheter size and inflation requirements. The control unit automatically calculates and sets the correct contrast agent volume before the procedure begins, eliminating the need for manual filling and ensuring accurate dosing from the start of the inflation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically managing the contrast agent delivery without requiring manual intervention. The control unit monitors the contrast agent volume in real-time and automatically adjusts the syringe plunger to deliver the precise amount needed for balloon inflation, with the system self-regulating the entire fluid delivery process.
3Ease of operation
If manual adjustment of pressure is performed, then pressure can be set according to compliance chart, but reading errors may occur on pressure gauge leading to incorrectly set pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical analog pressure gauge with an electronic pressure sensor and digital display system. The electronic sensor provides more precise and easier-to-read pressure measurements than mechanical gauges, eliminating reading errors while maintaining ease of operation through automated digital control and display of pressure values.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback from electronic pressure sensors to continuously monitor and display the actual pressure in real-time during inflation. This digital feedback mechanism provides more accurate and readable pressure information compared to mechanical gauges, allowing the control unit to precisely maintain the target pressure and eliminate reading errors that would occur with analog displays.
4Reliability
If venting is performed before inflation, then air can be removed from balloon catheter, but time is lost during the venting process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by performing the venting operation automatically and rapidly at the beginning of the procedure before inflation begins. The control unit quickly removes air from the balloon catheter lumens in advance, so that when inflation starts, the system can immediately proceed to pressure build-up without time-consuming manual venting steps during the inflation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the skipping principle by rapidly completing the venting operation in a condensed time frame at the start of the procedure. The control unit quickly establishes the air-free state of the balloon catheter through rapid pneumatic or mechanical venting, skipping the time-consuming manual venting steps and moving directly to the inflation phase once air exclusion is confirmed.
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
Reduces the risk of misapplication by ensuring accurate pressure and contrast agent dosage, enhancing safety and efficiency in angioplasty procedures.
Implementation Method 1
the syringe plunger is axially displaceable in the syringe body in order to change the volume of the pressurized room... By reducing the size of the pressurized room, i.e. liquid or air contained in the pressurized room in particular may be compressed
Implementation Method 2
the inflation syringe is connected to the balloon catheter and pulled up, creating a negative pressure in the inflation syringe and sucking the air out of the balloon catheter
Implementation Method 3
a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure in the pressurized room
Data Source
AI summary
An inflation device for inflating a balloon catheter for angioplasty includes a syringe with a hollow syringe body, a syringe opening joined to the syringe body and connectable to the balloon catheter, and a syringe plunger arranged in the syringe body. The syringe plunger, together with a syringe-body wall, delimits a pressure chamber connected to the syringe opening and is axially displaceable in the syringe body to change a volume of the pressure chamber. The syringe is partially filled with a contrast medium mixture and has an identifier, preferably in the form of a machine-readable code, which contains data regarding an amount of contrast medium mixture contained in the pressure chamber and/or a mixing ratio of the contrast medium mixture.