Intravascular Imaging Position Sensor for Catheter Translation Accuracy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intravascular imaging systems face inaccuracies in determining the translation distance of catheter components, leading to errors in constructing 360-degree images due to unreliable measurement of translation velocity.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a position sensor with a reference element and a movable element to accurately determine the position of the transducer relative to the reference element, allowing for more precise image generation and display of longitudinal components in real-time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If translation velocity is commanded and time is measured to calculate translation distance, then the system can operate without additional position sensing hardware, but the translation distance determination becomes inaccurate due to velocity variations
Solution Approach 1:
A position sensor is introduced as an intermediary component between the translation mechanism and the image construction system. The position sensor includes a reference element and a movable element that generates position information corresponding to the translation of the catheter, providing accurate measurement without requiring complex velocity control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical velocity control and time measurement system with a direct position sensing system. Instead of calculating translation distance from velocity commands and time measurements, the system directly measures position using a position sensor, substituting mechanical control with sensing-based measurement
2Measurement precision
If a position sensor with reference element and movable element is added to accurately measure transducer position, then image construction accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The position sensor is integrated within the catheter structure itself, with the reference element and movable element nested within the catheter body. This allows the position sensing functionality to be incorporated without significantly increasing the overall catheter profile or requiring external positioning equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The position sensor serves multiple functions: it provides position information for image construction, enables real-time localization of the transducer, and can potentially be used for navigation and procedural guidance. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing multiple benefits from a single integrated system
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An intravascular imaging system can include a catheter, a position sensor, and an intravascular imaging engine for receiving information from the catheter and the position sensor. The position sensor can include a reference element and a movable element, which can have a movable element position that is correlated to the position of an imaging transducer in the catheter. The relative position between the movable element and a reference element can be determined and can correspond to the relative movement of the transducer within a patient's vasculature. The imaging engine can receive position information from the position sensor and image information from the catheter and generate a display using the received information. Because relative movement of the transducer can be determined, spatial relationships between sets of imaging data can be determined, and image data from multiple transducer locations can be combined into one image.