Expandable Catheter Markers for Stent Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating left main coronary artery disease, such as bypass surgery and balloon angioplasty, face challenges including lengthy procedure times, limited effectiveness over time, incompatibility with certain patient conditions, and difficulties in accurately placing stents due to parallax errors and varying artery junctions, which can lead to improper stent placement and reduced blood flow.
Innovation Solution
A novel apparatus and method that uses expandable markers within a catheter to accurately determine the orientation and size of stents in coronary arteries, reducing parallax errors and ensuring proper placement by capturing images from multiple perspectives and using detectable markers to assess the artery's dimensions and stent alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bypass surgery is performed to treat left main coronary artery disease, then blood flow is restored, but the procedure takes a substantial time and is not suitable for emergency situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical surgical bypass procedure with a catheter-based angioplasty system that uses a balloon and stent to open the blocked artery from the inside, eliminating the need for open-heart surgery and reducing procedure time to minutes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a catheter as an intermediary device that delivers the balloon and stent through the blocked artery, allowing treatment without direct surgical access to the heart
2Loss of time
If balloon angioplasty is performed to treat left main coronary artery disease, then the procedure is quick and less traumatic, but stent placement accuracy is compromised due to parallax errors and varying artery junctions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional angiographic imaging to three-dimensional visualization by incorporating depth information and multiple viewing angles, allowing accurate assessment of stent placement relative to artery junctions in 3D space
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements real-time feedback by capturing images at multiple perspectives during the procedure and comparing them against pre-planned stent positions, allowing immediate adjustment to ensure accurate stent placement that avoids occluding artery junctions
3Reliability
If stents are placed to maintain artery openness, then blood flow is improved, but improper placement may occlude artery junctions and reduce effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary assessment by capturing images from multiple perspectives before stent placement to accurately determine the artery's dimensions, orientation, and junction locations, establishing a precise roadmap for stent positioning in advance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses real-time imaging feedback during stent deployment to verify placement accuracy, allowing immediate detection and correction of improper positioning that might occlude artery junctions
Data Source
AI summary
Novel devices and methods for implanting medical stents are provided. A novel apparatus, which may be in a first compressed position, may be inserted into the artery, such as by being positioned over a catheter. The apparatus may be expanded to a second position. In one embodiment, the apparatus is configured to expand away in two substantially opposing directions along a second axis away from the longitudinal axis. The second axis may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The apparatus may include markers that are detectable to determine the orientation of the catheter or the apparatus and/or assist in the determination of the type or size of stent to utilize.