Tissue-removing Catheter with Adaptive Motor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current atherectomy catheters face inefficiencies in tissue removal due to variable advancement speeds during procedures, leading to suboptimal cutting efficiency and potential tissue fragmentation, which are largely dependent on user skill and experience rather than automated control.
Innovation Solution
A tissue-removing catheter with an operational control mechanism that includes a sensor to detect linear advancement speed and an adjustable motor control circuit to optimize the rotational speed of the tissue-removing element, ensuring efficient cutting by adjusting the rotational speed based on detected advancement speed thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the rotational speed of the tissue-removing element is increased to improve cutting efficiency, then productivity increases, but tissue fragmentation occurs when advancement speed is not properly coordinated
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the rotational speed of the tissue-removing element based on the real-time advancement speed of the catheter body. The motor control circuit receives signals from the sensor detecting linear advancement speed and automatically modifies rotational speed parameters to maintain optimal cutting conditions, transforming a static speed setting into a dynamic, adaptive control system that prevents tissue fragmentation while maximizing cutting efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback control mechanism where a sensor detects the linear advancement speed of the catheter body and transmits this information to the motor control circuit. The control circuit processes this feedback signal and adjusts the rotational speed of the tissue-removing element accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that continuously optimizes cutting performance based on actual operational conditions.
2Extent of automation
If automated control is implemented to improve cutting efficiency, then extent of automation increases, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The motor control circuit serves multiple functions: it receives signals from the sensor, processes advancement speed data, determines optimal rotational speed parameters, and controls the electric motor. By consolidating these control functions into a single multi-functional circuit, the system achieves automated speed adjustment without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor control circuit acts as an intermediary component that bridges the sensor detection system and the electric motor. It receives electrical signals from the sensor indicating linear advancement speed and translates these into appropriate rotational speed commands for the motor, simplifying the control architecture by providing a dedicated intermediate control layer rather than direct sensor-to-motor connection.
3Productivity
If rotational speed is adjusted to match advancement speed, then cutting efficiency improves, but loss of time occurs during speed adjustment transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous cutting action by dynamically adjusting rotational speed in real-time during catheter advancement. Rather than stopping to adjust speed settings, the automated control system continuously adapts the rotational speed to match the current advancement speed, ensuring the cutting operation proceeds without interruption and minimizing non-productive transition time.
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 enhances cutting efficiency by automatically adjusting the rotational speed of the tissue-removing element, leading to more uniform and unfragmented tissue removal, reducing operator-dependent inefficiencies and improving procedural outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor configured to detect a linear advancement speed of the catheter body in the body lumen during the cutting operation of the catheter
Implementation Method 2
an electric motor operably connected to the tissue-removing element for imparting rotation of the tissue-removing element about a rotational axis during the cutting operation of the catheter
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A
Figure 2
AI summary
A tissue-removing catheter for removing tissue from a body lumen during a cutting operation includes an elongate catheter body configured for insertion into the body lumen and a tissue-removing element. A motor is operably connected to the tissue-removing element for rotating the tissue-removing element. A sensor is configured to detect a parameter of the catheter body during the cutting operation. A motor control circuit is in electrical communication with the sensor and the motor. During an operational control function, the motor control circuit is configured to receive a signal from the sensor based at least in part on the detected parameter, determine whether the received signal is indicative of inefficient movement of the tissue-removing element, and adjust a rotational speed of the tissue-removing element to increase efficiency of the tissue-removing element if the received signal is indicative of inefficient movement of the tissue-removing element.