Illuminating Guidewire for Sinus Dilation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dilation procedures for anatomical passageways, such as sinuses, lack precise and easily controlled placement of balloons, especially in single-operator procedures, due to limited visualization and lack of real-time 3D guidance.
Innovation Solution
A dilation catheter system incorporating a guide catheter, inflation catheter, and an illuminating guidewire, combined with an image-guided surgery navigation system, enables precise placement and inflation of balloons within anatomical passageways using real-time 3D imaging and transcutaneous illumination for enhanced visualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional balloon dilation procedures are used without integrated guidewire illumination and image guidance, then the procedure can be performed with simpler equipment, but precise placement and real-time visualization of the balloon within the anatomical passageway is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the guidewire, illuminating device, and balloon catheter into an integrated system. The guidewire contains an illuminating device with light source and optical fiber that projects light through the tissue to indicate balloon position, while the balloon is advanced over the guidewire to the illuminated location. This merging of functions into a single integrated device eliminates the need for separate visualization and positioning instruments, achieving precise balloon placement while managing system complexity.
2Productivity
If separate instruments are used for visualization and balloon placement, then each instrument can be optimized for its specific function, but the procedure requires multiple steps and coordination that reduces efficiency and increases difficulty in single-operator procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated device performs multiple functions within a single system: the guidewire provides positioning guidance, the illuminating device provides real-time visualization of the target site through transcutaneous light projection, and the balloon catheter delivers the dilation function. This multi-functionality allows a single operator to perform all functions sequentially without needing to coordinate multiple separate instruments, significantly improving procedure efficiency and ease of operation in single-operator scenarios.
3Measurement precision
If real-time 3D image guidance is integrated with the dilation system, then precise navigation and positioning can be achieved, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an optical intermediary approach where the illuminating device projects light through the tissue to create a visible indicator of the target site location on the skin surface. This optical mediator provides real-time 3D spatial information without requiring complex image guidance systems. The light projection acts as a simple intermediary that translates internal anatomical positioning into external visible feedback, achieving precise navigation while avoiding the complexity and cost of full image guidance systems.
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 allows for precise and controlled dilation of anatomical passageways with improved visualization, facilitating safer and more effective procedures, even in single-operator scenarios, by integrating real-time 3D guidance and transcutaneous illumination.
Implementation Method 1
an illuminating guidewire. The guidewire may be positioned within the target area and then illuminated, with light projecting from the distal end of the guidewire
Implementation Method 2
the expandable balloon may be positioned within an ostium at a paranasal sinus and then be inflated, to thereby dilate the ostium by remodeling the bone adjacent to the ostium
Data Source
AI summary
A dilation apparatus includes a handle assembly, a dilator, a guidewire, and a steering assembly. The dilator is connected to the handle assembly and is configured to transition between an unexpanded state and an expanded state. The guidewire is longitudinally fixed relative to the dilator. The steering assembly is configured to laterally deflect at least a portion of the guidewire relative to the handle assembly. The steering assembly includes an actuator coupled with the handle assembly and a pull wire extending between the actuator and guidewire. A portion of the pull wire is attached to the guidewire. The actuator is configured to move the pull wire relative to the handle assembly in order to laterally deflect the at least a portion of the guidewire.