Intravascular Lithotripsy Catheter With Offset Axes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices, such as catheters, lack the ability to efficiently integrate lithotripsy functionality and modular design for enhanced procedural flexibility and effectiveness, particularly in delivering shockwave therapy for vascular lesions and kidney stones.
Innovation Solution
A medical device catheter with a cavitation bubble chamber and electrodes that generate shockwaves by creating arcing across an electrode gap, powered by a high voltage pulse generator, allowing for targeted lithotripsy procedures while maintaining a compact and robust design, and an adapter system for modular integration with existing catheters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a catheter is designed with integrated lithotripsy functionality, then therapeutic capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a catheter with lithotripsy functionality by integrating a cavitation bubble chamber and electrodes into the catheter structure. The catheter includes a body with a distal end that can be inserted into a body lumen, a cavitation bubble chamber positioned at the distal end, and at least one electrode within the chamber. This merging allows the single device to perform both navigation/delivery functions and lithotripsy treatment, resolving the contradiction by consolidating multiple functions into one integrated system rather than requiring separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter is designed with multi-functionality to serve both as a delivery device and a therapeutic device. The universal design includes a catheter body for navigation, a cavitation bubble chamber for shockwave generation, and electrodes for electrical stimulation. This multi-functional approach allows the same device to be used for various purposes including delivering therapeutic agents and performing lithotripsy, thereby improving adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a modular adapter system is implemented, then procedural flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a modular adapter system that can be attached to the distal end of the catheter body. The adapter includes a body with a proximal portion that interfaces with the catheter and a distal portion that provides lithotripsy functionality. This segmentation allows the system to be configured in different ways depending on the procedural needs, improving procedural flexibility. The modular design enables clinicians to attach or detach the adapter based on whether lithotripsy is required, managing complexity through optional integration rather than permanent integration.
3Power
If a cavitation bubble chamber with electrodes is added to the catheter, then shockwave therapy delivery is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical lithotripsy mechanisms with an electrical field-based system. Instead of using mechanical impact or radial expansion forces, the device uses electrodes to generate electrical discharges that create cavitation bubbles and shockwaves within the cavitation bubble chamber. This substitution of mechanical systems with electrical fields allows for more precise and controllable shockwave delivery while managing complexity through electrical control mechanisms rather than complex mechanical assemblies.
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 effective delivery of shockwave therapy for breaking up vascular lesions and kidney stones with improved procedural flexibility and reduced inventory needs through modular design, enhancing the catheter's structural, therapeutic, and diagnostic capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The at least two electrodes are configured to generate sparking or arcs across the electrodes which creates a shockwave and cavitation bubbles when powered by a high voltage pulse generator
Implementation Method 2
The at least two electrodes are configured to generate sparking or arcs across the electrodes which creates a shockwave and cavitation bubbles
Implementation Method 3
The at least two electrodes are configured to generate sparking or arcs across the electrodes which creates a shockwave and cavitation bubbles
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device catheter comprises a proximal end to remain outside a patient's body, a distal end for insertion into the body, and a catheter shaft having a first longitudinal centerline axis. At the distal end, there is a cavitation bubble chamber along a second longitudinal centerline axis. The catheter includes cavitation solution lumens in communication with the cavitation bubble chamber and corresponding solution fittings at the proximal end. Additionally, there are conductors and an electrode gap in the cavitation bubble chamber, and a guidewire lumen with a third longitudinal centerline axis, where each of the first, second and third longitudinal centerline axes are offset from one another to allow for targeted medical procedures such as lithotripsy while ensuring a compact design of the catheter and robust performance even at higher voltages.