Intravascular Imaging Assembly Flex Circuit Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Intravascular ultrasound imaging devices face challenges with rigid imaging assemblies that have a large diameter, making navigation through small blood vessels difficult and increasing the likelihood of kinking during steering through vasculature.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a flex circuit and a support member where the flex circuit is rolled around the support member to minimize the outer diameter, with a shelf and throughway for electrical wires and a spiral configuration to enhance flexibility, allowing for efficient assembly and operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid imaging assembly is used, then structural stability is improved, but the outer diameter increases and flexibility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidouter diameter

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging assembly is divided into modular components: a support member, a flex circuit with transducers, and a distal component. These segments can be independently manufactured and assembled, allowing the overall structure to be optimized for both stability and compactness. The support member provides structural integrity while the flex circuit adds imaging functionality without significantly increasing outer diameter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flex circuit is positioned around and coupled to the support member, with the distal component extending from the support member and disposed around the flange. This nested arrangement allows multiple functional elements to be integrated within a compact outer diameter, maintaining structural stability while minimizing the overall size of the imaging assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid imaging assembly is used, then structural stability is improved, but flexibility and navigability through small vessels worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidflexibility and navigability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Different portions of the imaging assembly have different structural properties optimized for their specific functions. The support member provides rigidity where structural stability is needed, while the flex circuit and distal component are designed with flexibility to enable navigation through small and tortuous blood vessels. This local differentiation of structural quality resolves the contradiction between stability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The imaging assembly incorporates flexible elements that allow dynamic adaptation to the vascular environment. The flex circuit can bend and conform to vessel walls, and the distal component can navigate through small vessels, while the support member maintains overall structural integrity. This dynamic design enables the assembly to adapt its shape and flexibility based on local requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If distal components are added to the imaging device, then imaging functionality is improved, but the outer diameter and rigidity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging functionalityVSAvoidouter diameter

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The distal component is integrated with the support member and flange structure, sharing common structural elements. The flange of the support member serves as both a structural element and a mounting surface for the distal component, eliminating the need for separate supporting structures and reducing the overall outer diameter while maintaining imaging functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support member and flange serve multiple functions: providing structural stability, enabling assembly of the flex circuit, and supporting the distal component. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby minimizing the outer diameter while maintaining all necessary imaging functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11944489B2Imaging assembly for intravascular imaging device and associated devices, systems, and methods

Publication Date: 2024.04.02 PHILIPS IMAGE GUIDED THERAPY CORP

AI summary

An intravascular imaging device is provided. In one embodiment, the intravascular imaging device includes a flexible elongate member sized and shaped for insertion into a vessel of a patient, the flexible elongate member having a proximal portion and a distal portion; a conductor extending between the proximal and distal portions of the flexible elongate member; an imaging assembly disposed at the distal portion of the flexible elongate member, the imaging assembly including: a flex circuit including a body and a tab extending therefrom, the tab having a conductive portion coupled to the conductor; and a support member around which the flex circuit is disposed, the support member including a shelf on which tab is positioned.