Fiber Bragg Grating Guidewire for Simultaneous Pressure Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) systems require multiple guidewires and procedures to compare pressures on either side of a vessel lesion, which is inefficient and can cause vessel irritation and embolization risks, while also lacking the ability for simultaneous pressure detection across the affected area.
Innovation Solution
A diagnostic guidewire assembly equipped with pressure sensors, including fiber optic wires with Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs), that can simultaneously detect upstream and downstream pressures across a vessel lesion, allowing for real-time analysis and guiding therapeutic interventions without removing the guidewire, and enabling follow-up FFR diagnostics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple guidewires are used to compare pressures on either side of a vessel lesion, then pressure measurement capability is improved, but device complexity and procedure efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple pressure sensing capabilities into a single guidewire by integrating multiple Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors along its length. This merging approach allows simultaneous pressure measurement at multiple locations (upstream and downstream of the lesion) using one guidewire instead of multiple separate guidewires, thereby maintaining measurement precision while reducing device complexity and procedural steps
Solution Approach 2:
The single guidewire is designed with multi-functional capability to perform pressure measurements at multiple sites simultaneously. The guidewire serves universal purposes by combining diagnostic pressure sensing functions at different locations along its structure, eliminating the need for separate specialized guidewires for each measurement point
2Measurement precision
If multiple procedures are performed to obtain pressure data, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but loss of time and procedural efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The guidewire is pre-equipped with multiple FBG pressure sensors positioned at specific locations before the procedure begins. This preliminary preparation allows the system to immediately capture pressure data from multiple sites simultaneously upon insertion, eliminating the need for sequential positioning and multiple procedures, thereby maintaining diagnostic accuracy while significantly reducing procedural time
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous simultaneous pressure monitoring at multiple locations throughout the procedure. The FBG sensors continuously capture pressure data upstream and downstream of the lesion in real-time, allowing for immediate diagnostic assessment without interruption or repeated procedures, thus maintaining diagnostic accuracy while minimizing time loss
3Measurement precision
If multiple guidewires are inserted into the vessel, then pressure measurement capability is improved, but vessel irritation and embolization risk worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple pressure sensing functions into a single guidewire structure, reducing the number of foreign objects introduced into the vessel. By consolidating multiple FBG sensors on one guidewire, the system maintains the capability to measure pressures at multiple locations while minimizing vessel irritation and embolization risk associated with inserting multiple separate guidewires
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 efficient, simultaneous FFR diagnosis and minimizes vessel irritation by using a single guidewire for both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, reducing the need for multiple wires and procedures, and providing accurate pressure measurements by compensating for temperature effects using temperature-sensing FBGs.
Implementation Method 1
Each pressure sensor is comprised of at least one fiber Bragg grating (FBG), with each FBG having a distinct grating period to provide correspondingly distinct peak reflection wavelengths of reflected light through the fiber optic wire
Implementation Method 2
The exerted pressure does not laterally move the fiber optic cable, but instead compresses the fiber optic cable. The pressure on the fiber optic cable impacts the refractive index of the core, thereby shifting the wavelength of light that is reflected by the FBG
Implementation Method 3
A second temperature-sensing FBG can be positioned on the fiber optic cable proximal to the pressure-sensing FBG. The temperature-sensing FBG is not in contact with blood, and does not experience any compressive forces due to the pressure of the blood. Due to its proximity to the pressure-sensing FGB, the temperature-sending FBG will be impacted in a nearly identical fashion by the local temperature within the blood vessel as the pressure-sensing FBG
Data Source
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Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
A system and method are presented for detecting and measuring pressure within a region of a body lumen or vessel. The pressure sensing system includes a light source for transmitting light through a pathway of fiber optic wire. A distal portion of the fiber optic wire is engaged to and extends along a guidewire. The distal portion of the fiber optic wire includes sensor station(s) made up of fiber Bragg gratings (FBG). The light transmitted to and reflected from the FBGs of the pressure sensing stations can be analyzed to provide one or more values.