IVUS Bubble-Reducing Member for Signal Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intracorporeal medical devices, such as guidewires and catheters, face challenges in reducing bubble formation and disruption during flushing processes, which can interfere with imaging signals, particularly ultrasound signals.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a bubble-reducing member, such as a barrier or annular portion with apertures, coupled to the drive cable within the elongate shaft, to block or disrupt bubble flow towards the imaging transducer while allowing fluid passage, and optionally using surface treatments to prevent bubble adherence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If flushing fluid is introduced into the catheter to clear debris, then the catheter lumen is cleaned, but bubbles are formed and disrupted which interfere with imaging signals
Solution Approach 1:
A bubble-reducing member is introduced as an intermediary component between the flushing fluid source and the imaging transducer. This member includes a barrier portion with apertures that allows fluid passage while disrupting bubble flow, thereby mediating the conflict between effective flushing and signal quality maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The bubble-reducing member features a barrier portion with specific aperture characteristics (size, distribution, and configuration) that are locally optimized to differentiate between fluid and bubble flow. The local structure at the barrier portion creates selective permeability that targets bubble disruption while preserving fluid flow for imaging
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a bubble-reducing member with barrier portion is added to block bubbles, then bubble interference is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bubble-reducing member is merged with the existing catheter drive cable assembly, integrating the barrier portion and aperture structure into the conventional catheter components. This merging approach reduces overall device complexity by combining multiple functions (driving, imaging, and bubble reduction) into a unified structure rather than adding separate independent components
3Quantity of substance
If the barrier portion has multiple apertures to allow fluid flow, then fluid passage is enabled, but larger bubbles may still pass through
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture structure of the barrier portion is locally optimized with specific characteristics (size, distribution, and configuration) that create selective permeability. The local quality of the aperture design allows small fluid molecules to pass while physically blocking larger bubble structures, leveraging the scale difference between fluid and bubble dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier portion functions as a porous structure with controlled porosity that exploits the size difference between fluid and bubble. The porous aperture arrangement allows fluid to permeate while the pore dimensions are sized to prevent bubble passage, effectively using porous material principles to achieve selective flow control
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
Effectively reduces bubble interference with imaging signals by preventing larger bubbles from reaching the transducer and minimizing signal disruption, thereby enhancing image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a bubble-reducing member disposed adjacent to the drive cable... includes a barrier or annular portion with a plurality of apertures disposed therein
Implementation Method 2
the bubble-reducing member includes a region with a surface treatment... includes a coating
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) device to be used to image a blood vessel, comprising an elongate shaft having a proximal end region and a distal end region, a hub coupled to or otherwise disposed adjacent to the proximal end region, a tip member coupled to or otherwise disposed adjacent to the distal end region, and an imaging assembly disposed within the elongate shaft configured to capture and/or generate images of a blood vessel, the imaging assembly including a drive cable, a housing coupled to the drive cable, and a transducer coupled to the drive cable and/or housing, wherein the device is configured to be flushed by infusion of fluid at a flush port on or at the hub and exiting the fluid at a vent hole adjacent to the distal end of the housing, wherein a bubble-reducing member is provided designed so that when the medical device is flushed, the bubble-reducing member blocks or reduces bubbles from travelling along the shaft toward the housing and transducer.