High Bandwidth Laser Source for Intravascular Lithotripsy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical fiber-based treatments for vascular lesions face challenges due to damage thresholds and nonlinear optical processes, such as Stimulated Brillouin Scattering, which limit energy transmission and effectiveness in fracturing lesions.
Innovation Solution
A catheter system with a light guide and light source configuration, including a seed source, pre-amplifier, and amplifier, with a linewidth modifier to broaden the optical bandwidth and minimize Stimulated Brillouin Scattering, while maintaining energy delivery below damage thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If higher energy levels are used to fragment larger or more calcified nodules, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but risk of collateral damage to surrounding tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The energy delivery is segmented into multiple discrete bursts rather than continuous delivery. The catheter delivers a sequence of energy bursts (e.g., 3-5 bursts per nodule) with controlled intervals, allowing energy to be distributed over time to fragment calcified nodules while permitting thermal dissipation between bursts to protect surrounding tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic energy delivery with specific burst patterns (e.g., 0.5-2 seconds on, 1-5 seconds off) to deliver high energy during treatment phases while allowing cooling during off phases. This periodic action enables effective nodule fragmentation while preventing excessive heat accumulation in surrounding tissues.
2Reliability
If energy delivery is increased to treat calcified nodules, then treatment efficacy is improved, but risk of thermal injury to surrounding tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates predetermined safety margins and controlled energy thresholds before treatment begins. Energy burst parameters (duration, power level) are pre-calculated based on nodule characteristics, and the system monitors temperature and energy delivery cumulative effects to prevent exceeding safe thresholds that would cause thermal injury.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous monitoring of treatment parameters (temperature, energy delivery, nodule fragmentation progress) throughout the procedure, allowing real-time adjustment to maintain effective treatment while preventing thermal injury. The continuous feedback loop ensures useful action (nodule fragmentation) continues while harmful effects are prevented.
3Reliability
If multiple energy bursts are delivered per nodule to ensure complete fragmentation, then treatment completeness is improved, but treatment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system delivers a predetermined number of energy bursts (e.g., 3-5 bursts) per nodule, which may be more than the absolute minimum needed but is optimized to ensure complete fragmentation without excessive treatment time. This partial/excessive action approach guarantees treatment completeness while maintaining efficiency by avoiding unnecessary additional bursts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts energy burst parameters (duration, power level, interval timing) based on real-time feedback from temperature sensors and fragmentation monitoring. By optimizing these parameters, the system achieves complete nodule fragmentation with the minimum necessary number of bursts, reducing overall treatment time while maintaining treatment completeness.
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 delivers high-energy pulses to fracture vascular lesions without damaging the optical fiber, enhancing treatment efficacy and reducing adverse events.
Implementation Method 1
high bandwidth energy source for improved transmission through optical fiber
Implementation Method 2
laser lithotripsy using a catheter with an embedded optical fiber
Data Source
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AI summary
A catheter system (100) includes a light guide (122A) and a light source (124). The light guide (122A) is configured to selectively receive light energy. The light source (124) generates the light energy. The light source (124) is in optical communication with the light guide (122A). The light source can include (i) a seed source (260) that outputs the light energy, (ii) a pre-amplifier (262) that receives the light energy from the seed source (260), the pre-amplifier (262) being in optical communication with the seed source (260), and (iii) an amplifier (264) that receives the light energy from the pre-amplifier (262), the amplifier (264) being in optical communication with the pre-amplifier (262) and the light guide (122A).