Conical Tip Optical Fiber for Radial Laser Vein Ablation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoluminal laser ablation techniques for treating venous insufficiency face challenges such as high energy levels causing pain, thermal damage, and the need for extensive tumescent anesthesia, which can lead to adverse reactions and prolonged procedures.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing an optical fiber with a conical shaped tip for 360° radial emission of laser energy, reducing power density to minimize tissue damage and eliminating the need for local anesthesia by ensuring energy absorption within the vein wall, thereby avoiding thermal damage to surrounding tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high energy levels are used for laser ablation, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but pain and thermal damage to surrounding tissues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a highly localized energy delivery system where the laser energy is confined to a small interaction zone at the fiber tip. The conical geometry concentrates energy precisely where needed in the vein wall while the rapid pullback ensures that surrounding tissues receive minimal energy exposure, thus maintaining treatment effectiveness while reducing pain and thermal damage to adjacent structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuity of useful action through continuous laser energy delivery combined with continuous fiber pullback. This ensures that the entire vein wall circumference receives uniform treatment energy while the moving fiber prevents energy accumulation in any single location, maintaining effective ablation while avoiding excessive thermal buildup that would cause pain and damage to surrounding tissues.
2Reliability
If high energy levels are used for laser ablation, then vein closure effectiveness is improved, but the need for tumescent anesthesia increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses local quality by concentrating laser energy into a highly focused interaction zone at the fiber tip. This localized energy delivery achieves effective vein wall ablation and closure with minimal total energy input, thereby reducing the need for extensive tumescent anesthesia compared to conventional diffuse energy delivery methods that require higher total energy doses.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous laser delivery with continuous pullback ensures uniform energy distribution along the treated vein segment, achieving complete vein closure through consistent thermal damage to the vein wall. This continuous action method is more efficient than intermittent approaches, requiring less total energy and consequently less tumescent anesthesia to protect surrounding tissues.
3Device complexity
If conventional flat emitting fiber is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but energy distribution uniformity around the vein wall is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies spheroidality by transforming the flat emitting fiber tip into a conical geometry. This curved conical surface distributes laser energy radially in all directions around the vein wall, creating uniform 360-degree energy distribution. The conical shape is a simple geometric modification that dramatically improves energy uniformity compared to flat tips, achieving circumferential homogeneity without complex multi-element structures.
4Stability of the object's composition
If radial emission geometry is used, then energy distribution uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by using a conical geometry that achieves radial emission through a simple curved surface. The cone shape naturally directs energy radially outward in all directions without requiring complex multi-faceted structures or multiple emitting elements. This single geometric feature provides uniform 360-degree energy distribution while maintaining relatively simple fiber construction and manufacturing.
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, efficient, and uniform treatment of varicose veins with reduced pain and complications, eliminating the requirement for tumescent anesthesia and minimizing post-procedure discomfort.
Implementation Method 1
Endoluminal laser ablation device and method for treating veins
Implementation Method 2
transmitting radiation through the waveguide; and emitting radiation laterally with respect to the elongated axis of the waveguide onto an angularly extending portion of the surrounding vessel wall
Data Source
AI summary
An improved method and device is provided for safe and efficient low power density endoluminal treatment of venous insufficiency. One such device emits pulsed or continuous energy radially through an optical fiber end with a conical shaped tip for 360° radial emission. In some embodiments, a conical reflective surface is distally spaced opposite to and faces the emitting tip for enhancing radial emission efficiency by reflecting out any designed or remnant forwardly transmitted energy in radial directions. Other devices include flat emitting faces sealed within protective, radiation transparent covers. Additional embodiments include spacing/centering mechanisms to keep emitting end radially equidistant from vein walls. Laser radiation is transmitted at a wavelength and power such that is it substantially entirely absorbed within the blood vessel wall to sufficiently damage the intravascular endothelium and, in turn, achieve blood vessel closure. Because the energy is substantially entirely absorbed within the blood vessel wall, the need for a local anesthetic along the treatment area of the blood vessel may be substantially avoided.