Contrast Injector for Tissue Treatment System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hypertension treatment systems face challenges in accurately delivering contrast medium and managing pressure during renal nerve ablation procedures, leading to potential complications such as contrast-induced nephropathy and user exhaustion due to manual injection methods, and existing systems are bulky and mechanically unstable.
Innovation Solution
A tissue treatment system incorporating a contrast injector that semi-automatically delivers contrast medium based on monitored pressures and flow rates, integrated with a compact and ergonomically designed fluid transfer cartridge and generator, ensuring controlled delivery and minimizing system size and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual contrast medium injection is used, then the system structure remains simple, but user exhaustion occurs and contrast delivery control is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses pressure sensors to automatically detect when the balloon is inflated and triggers contrast injection without manual intervention. The controller monitors pressure signals and autonomously manages the contrast delivery timing, eliminating the need for manual syringe operation while maintaining simple overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
Pressure sensors provide real-time feedback on balloon inflation status to the controller, which automatically triggers contrast injection at the appropriate moment. This feedback mechanism enables precise timing of contrast delivery based on actual procedural conditions, improving control without requiring complex manual coordination.
2Productivity
If high injection pressure is used to deliver contrast medium, then contrast delivery speed increases, but contrast-induced nephropathy risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
Pressure sensors continuously monitor the pressure during contrast injection and provide feedback to the controller. The system uses this feedback to automatically adjust or terminate injection when pressure exceeds safe thresholds, enabling rapid contrast delivery while preventing nephropathy through real-time pressure-based safety control.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical syringe injection system is replaced with an automated system that uses pressure sensors and electronic control to manage contrast delivery. This substitution allows precise control of injection pressure and timing, achieving fast contrast delivery while automatically preventing excessive pressure that could cause nephropathy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing treatment systems are designed with separate components, then functional versatility is maintained, but system size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the pressure sensing function, control logic, and contrast injection capability into an integrated unit that attaches to the existing treatment system. This consolidation maintains all necessary functional versatility while significantly reducing the overall system footprint and weight by eliminating separate external components.
Solution Approach 2:
The contrast injection system with pressure sensors and controller is designed to nest within or attach compactly to the existing treatment system architecture. The integrated design allows the new functionality to be embedded in the existing structure rather than adding bulky separate components, preserving versatility while minimizing weight increase.
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 system enables safer, more efficient delivery of contrast medium, reducing exposure and improving user experience by automating pressure control, while providing a mechanically stable and compact design for enhanced procedural safety and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
injecting, by a contrast injector of the tissue treatment system, contrast medium at an injection pressure into a vessel containing the balloon
Implementation Method 2
delivering, by a fluid transfer unit of a tissue treatment system, inflation fluid at an inflation pressure to a balloon
Implementation Method 3
determining one or more of the inflation pressure or the injection pressure... stopping, based on one or more of the inflation pressure or the injection pressure, injection of the contrast medium
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling injection of a contrast medium by a contrast injector includes delivering, by a fluid transfer unit of a tissue treatment system, inflation fluid at an inflation pressure to a balloon. The method includes injecting, by a contrast injector of the tissue treatment system, contrast medium at an injection pressure into a vessel containing the balloon. The method includes determining one or more of the inflation pressure or the injection pressure. The method includes stopping, based on one or more of the inflation pressure or the injection pressure, injection of the contrast medium. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.