Catheter Optical Fiber Positioning for Laser Thrombus Dissolution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional catheters lack precision in delivering a laser beam to a thrombus, requiring excessive contrast agents and relying on skill and intuition, which hampers effective thrombus dissolution.

Innovation Solution

A catheter with a fixed-position optical fiber and a metal marker allows for accurate targeting of a thrombus, using a laser beam with specific wavelength, pulse width, and repetition frequency, reducing the need for contrast agents and improving irradiation precision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a conventional catheter without fixed optical fiber position is used, then the device is simpler to manufacture, but the laser beam irradiation precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelaser beam irradiation precisionVSAvoidcatheter structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical fiber is embedded within the catheter body, merging the laser delivery function with the catheter structure itself. This integration ensures the optical fiber maintains a fixed position relative to the catheter tip, enabling precise laser beam irradiation at the target site while avoiding the need for separate positioning mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A resin material is introduced as an intermediary substance to fill the space between the optical fiber and the capillary tube. This resin not only secures the optical fiber in a fixed position but also provides mechanical protection and environmental isolation, thereby maintaining irradiation precision without requiring complex structural modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If a large quantity of contrast agent is used to compensate for unclear distance, then the visibility improves, but the loss of substance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistance measurement precisionVSAvoidcontrast agent consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical/visual estimation method (using contrast agent to gauge distance) with an optical measurement system. The optical fiber delivers laser light that can interact with contrast agents or imaging markers to precisely determine the distance to the thrombus, thereby eliminating the need to use large quantities of contrast agent for distance estimation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If laser beam irradiation is performed depending on skill and intuition, then the operation flexibility is maintained, but the treatment reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation flexibilityVSAvoidthrombus dissolution reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the optical fiber system provides real-time information about the distance and positioning relative to the thrombus. This feedback enables the operator to make informed decisions about laser irradiation parameters and timing, replacing reliance on subjective skill and intuition with objective, measurable data, thereby significantly improving treatment reliability while maintaining operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

This approach enables safe and efficient thrombus dissolution by ensuring precise laser beam delivery directly to the target, minimizing vessel wall interaction and reducing treatment time.

Implementation Method 1

a laser beam has been emitted depending on skill and intuition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Implementation Method 2

a laser beam is emitted from a movable optical fiber through a hole provided in the catheter... a laser beam with specific wavelength, a specific pulse width, and a repetition frequency from the optical fiber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotothermal conversion:

Implementation Method 3

As the marker, a metal marker that absorbs X-rays is favorably used. Since the position of this metal marker relative to the optical fiber is fixed, the metal marker can be moved up close to the target site such as a thrombus

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectX-ray absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS10456200B2Catheter, examination system and thrombus removing device

Publication Date: 2019.10.29 HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS KK

AI summary

The position of a metal marker 5 relative to an optical fiber 6 is fixed, and the metal marker 5 can be moved up close to a target site such as a thrombus. It is preferable that the position, in an optical fiber longitudinal direction, of a front-end face of the optical fiber 6 is coincident with the position, in an optical fiber longitudinal direction, of a front-end face of the metal marker 5. More specifically, since the distance between the target site and the front end of the optical fiber 6 is known by radiography, it becomes unnecessary to use a large quantity of contrast agent and irradiate a laser beam depending on skill and intuition, and therefore an effective laser beam irradiation becomes possible.