Endovascular Sensor and Switchable Energy Device for Venous Valve Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for venous insufficiency, such as vein stripping and ligation by ablation, have limitations in precision and effectiveness, particularly in addressing incompetent venous valves leading to varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency, as they either involve invasive surgical procedures or non-specific occlusion methods.
Innovation Solution
A medical apparatus with a shaft configured for endovascular insertion, equipped with a tissue sensor and an energy application device, which receives distinct power levels to enable tissue sensing and therapy, allowing for precise targeting and treatment of venous valves using electrical power management and thermal energy application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single power supply is used for both tissue sensing and therapeutic energy delivery, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to precisely control power levels for different functions is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power level switching within a single power supply system. The power supply automatically adjusts between a first power level (for tissue sensing) and a second power level (for therapeutic energy delivery) based on operational mode. This dynamic adjustment allows one power supply to perform multiple functions with different power requirements without requiring separate power supplies, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining precise power control for each function.
2Reliability
If electrical power is continuously delivered to the energy application device, then therapeutic effect is maintained, but tissue damage risk increases due to inability to distinguish between sensing and treatment phases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic power delivery with distinct phases. During the sensing phase, power is delivered at a first level to detect tissue characteristics. During the therapeutic phase, power is delivered at a second higher level to achieve treatment effect. The system alternates between these phases periodically, ensuring that high power is only delivered when intended for therapy, thus maintaining therapeutic effectiveness while preventing unintended tissue damage from continuous high power delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from tissue sensing to control power delivery to the energy application device. The sensor detects tissue characteristics and provides feedback that triggers the power supply to switch from the first power level to the second power level only when appropriate therapeutic conditions are met. This feedback mechanism ensures that therapeutic energy is delivered reliably when needed while preventing harmful over-treatment or damage from premature or inappropriate high power delivery.
3Measurement precision
If separate power supplies are used for tissue sensor and energy application device, then power level control precision is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a single power supply system that performs multiple functions: it provides power at a first level for tissue sensing and at a second level for therapeutic energy delivery. The power supply includes switching circuitry that enables it to adapt its output based on operational requirements. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate power supplies, reducing device complexity and size while maintaining the ability to precisely control power levels for each function through internal switching and regulation.
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 apparatus enables accurate sensing and targeted therapy for venous valves, improving the precision and effectiveness of treating venous insufficiency by selectively applying therapeutic energy levels, thereby addressing the limitations of existing treatments.
Implementation Method 1
receiving electrical power at a first power level and directing the first-level electrical power to the tissue sensor... enabling tissue sensing with the tissue sensor
Implementation Method 2
receiving electrical power at a second power level higher than the first power level... directing the power to the energy application device, thereby enabling performance of therapy on tissue
Data Source
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AI summary
Apparatus for performing therapy on tissue. The apparatus comprises an elongate shaft having a distal portion configured for insertion into a hollow anatomical structure (HAS); a power lead; a tissue sensor located at the shaft distal portion and configured to receive power through the power lead at a relatively low tissue-sensing level; a therapeutic energy application device located at the shaft distal portion and configured to selectively receive power through the power lead at a relatively high tissue-treatment level; and a switch including an open position and a closed position. The tissue sensor is electrically connected to the power lead, and the therapeutic energy application device is electrically connected to the power lead only when the switch is in the closed position. Also disclosed is method of performing therapy on tissue using a medical apparatus. The apparatus includes a shaft configured for insertion into a hollow anatomical structure (HAS) and has a tissue sensor and a therapeutic energy application device both located on the shaft. The method comprises: receiving electrical power at a first power level and directing the first-level power to the tissue sensor and not to the therapeutic energy application device, thereby enabling tissue sensing with the tissue sensor; receiving electrical power at a second power level higher than the first-level power; and, in response to receipt of the second-level power, directing the second-level power to the therapeutic energy application device, thereby enabling performance of therapy on the tissue with the therapeutic energy application device. Additional methods and apparatus are disclosed as well.