Flexible OCT Imaging Probe for Vessel Fluid Dynamics Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging probes are limited by their size and rigidity, making it difficult to reach certain anatomical locations, and they often compromise the use of delivery catheters due to being inserted over a guidewire.
Innovation Solution
An imaging system with an elongate shaft and a rotatable optical core within a lumen, featuring an optical assembly for light direction and collection, coupled with an imaging assembly and processing unit for analyzing OCT image data, including an algorithm to calculate computational fluid dynamics and perform segmentation using artificial intelligence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If current imaging probes are made rigid for structural stability, then they can maintain their shape during insertion, but they cannot reach certain anatomical locations due to size and rigidity constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging probe is divided into multiple segments or sections that can flex relative to each other, allowing the probe to navigate tortuous anatomical paths while maintaining structural integrity at each segment. The elongate shaft is configured with controlled flexibility to bend without compromising the overall structural stability needed for imaging operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The elongate shaft of the imaging probe is constructed with flexible materials and a thin-walled structure that allows it to bend and conform to anatomical structures. This flexible shaft design enables the probe to reach distant or hard-to-access locations while maintaining sufficient structural stability through material selection and cross-sectional geometry.
2Ease of operation
If imaging probes are inserted over a guidewire for delivery, then they can be delivered through catheters, but this compromises the use of delivery catheters and limits placement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging probe is designed to be nested within or alongside a delivery catheter without requiring insertion over a guidewire. The probe's elongate shaft fits within the catheter lumen, allowing for coordinated delivery and placement. This nested configuration enables both easy delivery through the catheter and precise placement controlled by the operator.
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery catheter serves as an intermediary device that facilitates probe delivery and placement. The catheter and probe are designed to work together as a integrated system, where the catheter provides the delivery pathway and the probe provides the imaging function, eliminating the need for a separate guidewire intermediary.
3Length of moving object
If imaging probes are made smaller to improve flexibility, then they can reach more locations, but their imaging capabilities and light collection efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The elongate shaft is constructed with flexible materials and optimized wall thickness to achieve the desired flexibility while maintaining structural integrity. This allows the probe to be small enough for navigation yet robust enough to support imaging components.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functional components are merged into a compact integrated assembly at the distal end of the probe. The optical assembly, imaging elements, and structural components are combined in a space-efficient manner that maximizes imaging capability within the constrained size of the flexible probe.
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
Enables high flexibility and improved imaging capabilities, allowing for precise analysis of vessel segments and intervention planning with enhanced accuracy and quality control.
Implementation Method 1
an optical assembly positioned proximate the distal end of the rotatable optical core, and the optical assembly is configured to direct light to tissue to be imaged and to collect reflected light from the tissue to be imaged
Implementation Method 2
an imaging assembly constructed and arranged to optically couple to the imaging probe, and the imaging assembly is configured to emit light into the imaging probe and to receive the reflected light collected by the optical assembly
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are imaging systems for a patient including an imaging probe and an imaging assembly. The imaging probe includes an elongate shaft with a rotatable optical core positioned within a lumen of the elongate shaft. The imaging probe further includes an optical assembly to direct light to tissue to be imaged and to collect reflected light from the tissue to be imaged. The system further includes an imaging assembly optically coupled to the imaging probe. The system further includes a processing unit with a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, and the memory stores instructions for the processor to perform an algorithm. The system records image data based on the reflected light collected by the optical assembly, such that the image data comprises data collected from a segment of a blood vessel during a pullback procedure. The algorithm can analyze the image data.