Catheter Simulator Pulsatile Flow and Contrast Agent Color Change
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheter simulators for training with heart models face challenges in replicating natural blood flow in coronary arteries, leading to unnatural flow conditions and retention of X-ray contrast agents, which complicates training and increases radiation exposure risks.
Innovation Solution
A catheter simulator with an elastic heart model and a pump that generates pulsatile flow, eliminating the need for electronic components and using a chemical reaction to change the contrast agent's color to match the liquid, allowing continuous training without radiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a liquid circulation structure is used to supply simulated blood from the aorta side to the coronary arteries, then training can be conducted with a heart model, but the blood flow conditions become unnatural and differ from actual human body conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional blood flow direction by supplying liquid from the right ventricle upward through the aorta to the coronary arteries, rather than from the aorta downward. This reversal creates natural blood flow conditions that match human physiology, allowing realistic training while maintaining system functionality.
2Reliability
If electronic components (electronic valve, pressure sensor, electronic valve controller) are used to control the amount of liquid supply for heart pulsation, then the heart model can exhibit pulsation, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes electronic control components (electronic valves, pressure sensors, controllers) from the system. Instead, it uses a purely mechanical pump system that naturally produces pulsating flow, thereby maintaining heart pulsation functionality while dramatically reducing device complexity and eliminating the need for electronic controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump system is designed to automatically generate pulsating blood flow without external electronic control. The mechanical pump self-regulates the flow to create natural heart-like pulsation, eliminating the need for electronic valves and controllers to manage the pulsation rhythm and pressure.
3Ease of operation
If a colored ink or simulated X-ray contrast agent is used for visual inspection training, then training can be conducted without X-ray equipment, but the injection agent remains within the heart model and deteriorates visibility over repeated use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a simulated contrast agent that changes color to solve the visibility problem. The agent is injected in a colored state for initial visibility, then undergoes a color change reaction that makes it transparent or matches the surrounding fluid, preventing permanent discoloration and maintaining visual clarity for repeated training sessions.
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 simulator replicates natural coronary artery blood flow, reduces component complexity, and prevents contrast agent retention, enabling effective and safe training under visual inspection.
Implementation Method 1
a pump that is connected to an apex section of the heart model and generates a pulsatile flow from the apex section toward the aorta
Implementation Method 2
an injection agent coming through a catheter inserted into one of the coronary arteries and the liquid are subjected to a chemical reaction, and the color of the injection agent is changed to the same color as that of the liquid
Implementation Method 3
an elastic heart model that is installed in the container in a state of being filled with a liquid
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging method for a catheter having a heart model, the heart model being installed in a container in a state of having the container filled with a liquid, and being provided with coronary arteries and an aorta. The imaging method includes causing a chemical reaction between an injection agent injected into the coronary arteries through a catheter, and the liquid in the container, and changing the color of the injection agent to the same color as that of the liquid.