Dynamic Radiopacity Stent Coating for CT Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current stent technologies face limitations when viewed under CT machines due to beam hardening artifacts, which obscure images and reduce the effectiveness of CT machines as post-operative diagnostic tools, leading to reliance on invasive and expensive conventional angiography for vascular stent evaluation.
Innovation Solution
Development of medical devices, such as stents, with coatings that are radiopaque for initial insertion and then diminish in radiopacity post-insertion, allowing clear visualization under CT, and an imaging processing unit to enhance image quality by reducing beam hardening artifacts and providing precise visualization of the lumen and stent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If stents are made from radiopaque materials for clear initial visualization during insertion, then device visibility during insertion is improved, but beam hardening artifacts are generated that obscure post-operative CT images
Solution Approach 1:
The stent coating dynamically changes its radiopacity over time. Initially, the coating provides high radiopacity for clear visualization during insertion and immediate post-operative evaluation. Over time, the coating gradually diminishes in radiopacity, allowing the underlying stent structure to become increasingly visible and reducing beam hardening artifacts in post-operative CT scans.
Solution Approach 2:
The radiopacity parameter of the stent coating changes over time. The coating material is designed to have high initial radiopacity for better device visibility during insertion, then progressively decreases in radiopacity to reduce beam hardening artifacts and improve CT image quality in the post-operative period.
2Measurement precision
If conventional angiography is used for stent evaluation, then diagnostic accuracy is maintained, but invasiveness and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/invasive angiography system with a CT-based imaging system. By modifying the stent coating to change radiopacity over time, the system enables non-invasive CT evaluation that provides diagnostic accuracy comparable to or better than conventional angiography, while eliminating the invasiveness and associated risks.
3Illumination intensity
If radiopaque coatings are applied to stents for visibility, then device visualization is improved, but beam hardening artifacts obscure surrounding tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The coating's radiopacity dynamically decreases over time, transitioning from a state that provides excellent device visualization during insertion to a state that minimizes beam hardening artifacts and allows clear visualization of surrounding tissue in post-operative CT scans.
Solution Approach 2:
The coating is designed to perform its primary function of providing device visibility during the immediate post-insertion period, then gradually relinquishes this property to allow surrounding tissue visualization in the post-operative period, eliminating the need for invasive follow-up procedures.
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
Enables non-invasive, cost-effective visualization of stents and vascular walls, reducing the need for invasive angiography and improving the accuracy of post-operative evaluations by minimizing beam hardening artifacts, thus facilitating precise outcome evaluation and pathophysiology investigation.
Implementation Method 1
The stent can be coated with a radiopaque material prior to insertion such that the stent can be viewed during a conventional angiographic x-ray D/A insertion
Implementation Method 2
CT scanners such as the Toshiba Acquillion multi detector are capable of generating images in three different areas at frame rates of 13 frames a second
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a stent made from a material operable to perform a stent's desired therapeutic functions, and also made from a material that has a radiopacity that substantially preserves the appearance of the stent when the stent is viewed under a CT imaging beam. Such a stent can allow for follow-up of the stent and the surrounding blood-vessel on CT.