Intravascular Optical Analysis for Clot and Plaque Differentiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-invasive imaging techniques, such as X-ray, CT, and MRI, are limited in their ability to distinguish between different types of intravascular tissue occlusions, such as blood clots and plaques, which affects the choice of appropriate treatment for ischemic stroke.
Innovation Solution
An intravascular tissue analysis system that uses optical data to determine blood clot and lipid content in intravascular tissue regions, enabling differentiation between blood clot-type and plaque-type occlusions through analysis of optical properties over specific wavelength intervals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If non-invasive imaging techniques (X-ray, CT, MRI) are used to evaluate intravascular tissue, then patient safety is improved by avoiding invasive procedures, but the ability to distinguish between different types of occlusions (blood clots vs. plaques) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical catheter as an intermediary device that combines the safety of non-invasive procedures with the precision of direct tissue analysis. The catheter delivers optical radiation through blood vessels to the occlusion site and collects reflected light, enabling detailed spectral analysis without open surgery. This intermediary approach bridges the gap between safe non-invasive imaging and precise tissue characterization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical biopsy procedures with optical analysis. Instead of physically extracting tissue samples through invasive mechanical means, the system uses optical radiation to probe tissue composition. The optical properties (absorption, scattering, fluorescence) of blood clots and plaques differ characteristically, allowing differentiation without mechanical intervention, thus maintaining patient safety while achieving precise measurement.
2Measurement precision
If invasive tissue sampling is performed to achieve precise occlusion type differentiation, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and procedural risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical catheter serves multiple functions: it delivers optical radiation, collects reflected light, provides real-time spectral analysis, and enables differentiation of occlusion types. This multi-functional device integrates what would otherwise require separate procedures (imaging, biopsy, laboratory analysis) into a single unified system, reducing overall procedural complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-contained analysis within the catheter itself. The optical radiation source, detectors, and analysis algorithms are integrated, allowing the device to autonomously characterize tissue composition without requiring external laboratory facilities or complex post-procedure processing. This self-service capability simplifies the overall procedure while achieving precise occlusion type differentiation.
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
Facilitates accurate distinction between different types of occlusions, allowing physicians to select the most suitable treatment method, such as mechanical thrombectomy for blood clots or stenting for plaques, thereby optimizing stroke treatment.
Implementation Method 1
receive optical data representing an optical property of an intravascular tissue region over one or more wavelength intervals
Implementation Method 2
analyze the optical data to determine a blood clot component content and a lipid content
Data Source
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AI summary
An intravascular tissue analysis system (100) comprises one or more processors (110) configured to: receive optical data (120) representing an optical property of an intravascular tissue region (130) over one or more wavelength intervals; analyze the optical data (120) to determine i) a blood clot component content (140) of the intravascular tissue region (130), and ii) a lipid content (150) of the intravascular tissue region (130); and output an indication of the blood clot component content and the lipid content, and/or an indication of one or more tissue composition parameters derived therefrom.