Optical Fiber Heat-Conducting Chamber for Vein Ablation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vein ablation systems using optical fibers can cause the fiber tip to overheat, potentially leading to burns and perforations in the vein walls due to direct contact with laser light, resulting in patient discomfort and bruising.
Innovation Solution
An optical fiber system with a heat-conducting elongate energy application device featuring a narrowing internal chamber that converts light energy to heat energy along its length, minimizing back-reflection and applying heat energy to the vein walls without direct contact, allowing for segmental ablation of hollow anatomical structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If laser light is transmitted directly through the optical fiber tip to the vein walls, then the fiber tip becomes very hot, but this causes the cladding and buffer material to burn and may cause perforations in the vein wall
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (suspension containing light-absorbing particles) between the optical fiber tip and the vein wall. This suspension absorbs the laser light energy and converts it to heat, preventing direct heating of the fiber tip while still achieving the desired thermal effect on the vein wall for closure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the direct optical-to-thermal conversion at the fiber tip with a mediated conversion process. Instead of the fiber tip directly converting light to heat through absorption, the system uses light-absorbing particles in suspension that convert optical energy to thermal energy, which then heats the vein wall indirectly.
2Ease of operation
If the optical fiber is inserted bare or through an introducer sheath, then the procedure is simple, but the fiber tip may still contact the vein wall and cause discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the suspension medium as an intermediary that fills the space between the fiber tip and vein wall, preventing direct contact while maintaining the simplicity of the insertion procedure. The suspension acts as a protective barrier that eliminates the harmful effect of direct fiber-vein contact.
3Reliability
If light energy is transmitted through the optical fiber, then vein closure can be achieved, but back-reflection of light energy into the fiber may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension medium acts as an intermediary that absorbs light energy in a controlled manner, preventing back-reflection into the optical fiber. The light-absorbing particles convert optical energy to heat before it can reflect back, ensuring unidirectional energy transfer and improving system reliability.
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 system effectively treats hollow anatomical structures by applying heat energy to specific segments of the vein walls, reducing vein diameter and eliminating blood flow without causing burns or perforations, thereby enhancing treatment efficacy and patient comfort.
Implementation Method 1
converting the light energy to heat energy via sidewalls of the chamber
Implementation Method 2
a mass of heat-conducting material coupled to the treatment end of the optical fiber
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods for segmental treatment of hollow anatomical structures using an optical fiber are disclosed. An elongate energy application device can absorb, scatter and/or reflect laser energy over a length of the elongate energy application device to thereby treat the hollow anatomical structure along one or more lengthened treatment segments.