Dual Balloon Guarded Zone for Intravascular Imaging Clarity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current intravascular imaging systems face challenges in providing high-quality imaging with fewer distortions and the ability to treat vascular conditions simultaneously, while also limiting the duration of imaging and treatment procedures.
Innovation Solution
The development of an imaging device with two inflatable balloon assemblies creating a guarded zone, where an imaging component, such as an ultrasound transducer or optical coherence tomography device, is positioned to provide clear images and administer therapeutic agents, allowing for concurrent imaging and treatment within a patient's vessel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single balloon catheter is used for imaging, then the device structure is simple, but image quality is degraded due to distortions and speckles
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into multiple functional segments: a distal balloon for occlusion, a proximal balloon for creating a guarded zone, and an imaging component positioned between them. This segmentation allows the imaging component to operate in a protected environment with controlled fluid flow, reducing distortions and improving image quality while maintaining reasonable device complexity through modular design
2Duration of action of moving object
If imaging is performed in a single balloon, then the procedural time is limited, but the ability to conduct in-depth imaging and treatment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter system integrates multiple functions into a single device: the distal balloon performs occlusion and treatment delivery, the proximal balloon creates a guarded zone for imaging, and the imaging component provides diagnostic capability. This multi-functionality allows extended procedural time for both imaging and treatment without requiring multiple separate devices, enhancing versatility
3Productivity
If the balloon is inflated to treat occlusion, then the occlusion is relieved, but the time available for imaging is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment and imaging functions are separated into different spatial zones: the distal balloon handles occlusion relief and treatment delivery, while the proximal balloon maintains a guarded zone for imaging. This allows simultaneous or sequential imaging and treatment without compromising either function's duration or efficiency
4Measurement precision
If a guarded zone is created between two balloons, then imaging quality is improved with fewer distortions, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging component is nested within the guarded zone created by the two balloons, with all components integrated along a single flexible catheter body. This nested arrangement improves imaging clarity by protecting the imaging component from external disturbances while consolidating the multi-component system into a unified, manageable device structure
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 solution enables high-resolution imaging with reduced distortions and extended procedural time, enabling effective treatment and monitoring of vascular conditions by using the guarded zone for both imaging and therapeutic interventions.
Implementation Method 1
One type of imaging system is an intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) system, which can include either a single rotating transducer or a solid-state array of transducers
Implementation Method 2
the imaging component includes at least a portion of an optical coherence tomography device including an optical fiber or reflector
Implementation Method 3
a first connection lumen that extends from the proximal portion into the first balloon to permit transfer of a fluid therebetween so as to independently inflate or deflate the first balloon
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated therapeutic and imaging device that uses at least two balloons to provide a guarded zone that can be evacuated and replaced with a fluid that is sufficiently clear to permit optical coherence tomography (or even high resolution ultrasound) imaging that would otherwise be of poor quality or impossible. Methods of making and operating the imaging device to obtain clear, high quality images, as well as treating a patient's tissue with the device within a living body in association with obtaining an image of the patient's tissue, are included.