Optical Fiber Tip Cooling in Vein Ablation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vein ablation systems using optical fibers for treating venous reflux face issues such as fiber tip overheating, potential perforation of vein walls, and discomfort due to hot fiber tips and protein or carbonization buildup.

Innovation Solution

The development of a shaft with an optical fiber positioned in its lumen, where the fiber tip is spaced from the shaft's distal end to prevent buildup, and a fluid flow system to maintain a liquid flow that inhibits carbonization and protein accumulation, ensuring the fiber tip remains cooler and reducing contact with vein walls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the optical fiber tip is positioned close to the vein wall for effective treatment, then the treatment efficacy is improved, but the fiber tip overheating and vein perforation risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment efficacyVSAvoidfiber tip overheating and vein perforation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A transmissive shaft is introduced as an intermediary component between the optical fiber tip and the vein wall. The shaft allows laser light to pass through its distal portion to treat the vein while physically separating the fiber tip from direct contact with the vein wall, thus preventing overheating and perforation while maintaining treatment efficacy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The shaft is designed with a transmissive distal portion that segments the light transmission path from the fiber tip. This allows the light to be delivered to the treatment site without the fiber tip being in direct contact with the vein wall, resolving the contradiction between effective treatment and safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Use of energy by moving object

If the optical fiber tip is exposed directly to the treatment site, then the light delivery efficiency is improved, but the protein buildup and carbonization on the fiber tip increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight delivery efficiencyVSAvoidprotein buildup and carbonization

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The transmissive shaft acts as a mediator that allows laser light to pass through to the treatment site while preventing direct exposure of the fiber tip to blood and tissue materials. This eliminates protein buildup and carbonization on the fiber tip while maintaining light delivery efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The shaft is pre-positioned with its transmissive distal portion at the treatment site before the fiber tip is exposed to the full laser power. This preliminary positioning prevents material deposition on the fiber tip during the treatment process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If the optical fiber tip is positioned distal to the shaft end for direct treatment, then the treatment precision is improved, but the risk of fiber tip contact with vein wall and patient discomfort increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment precisionVSAvoidvein wall contact and patient discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The transmissive shaft serves as an intermediary that enables precise light delivery to the vein while maintaining physical separation between the fiber tip and the vein wall. The shaft's transmissive distal portion allows accurate targeting without the hazards of direct fiber-tip contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 design minimizes fiber tip overheating, prevents vein perforation, and reduces patient discomfort by maintaining a cooler fiber tip and preventing protein or carbonization buildup, enhancing the safety and efficacy of vein ablation procedures.

Implementation Method 1

transmitting laser light through the fiber to the vein walls, causing the vein to close

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser heating: Laser

Implementation Method 2

transmitting laser light through the fiber to the vein walls, causing the vein to close

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption and conversion to thermal energy: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

a flow of liquid proceeding from the liquid source to the fluid flow space and out the opening of the shaft... suitable to substantially prevent carbonization and protein buildup on the distal tip of the optical fiber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection cooling: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2150194B1System for treating hollow anatomical structures

Publication Date: 2012.09.12 COVIDIEN LP

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AI summary

An apparatus for treating a hollow anatomical structure can include a light delivery device. The light delivery device comprises an optical fiber that is located in a lumen of a shaft suitable for insertion into the hollow anatomical structure and has a fiber tip located proximal of a distal end of the shaft during treatment of the hollow anatomical structure. The apparatus can further include a liquid source for providing a liquid flow over the optical fiber at a predetermined liquid flow rate.