IVUS Catheter Bubble-Reducing Member for Clearer Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical devices, such as intravascular ultrasound devices, face challenges with bubble formation during flushing that disrupt ultrasound signals and impair image quality.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a bubble-reducing member, such as a barrier disk or tapered mesh, between the drive cable and the shaft inner surface, with apertures or openings to allow fluid flow while preventing larger bubbles from reaching the transducer, and using hydrophobic coatings to reduce bubble adherence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If flushing is performed to clean the device, then fluid flow is improved, but bubble formation increases which disrupts ultrasound signals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid flowVSAvoidbubble formation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The internal lumen is segmented into different regions: a first region proximal to the transducer and a second region distal to the transducer. This segmentation allows independent control of fluid flow in each region, enabling bubble removal from the second region while maintaining stable flow in the first region near the transducer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A bubble-reducing member is introduced as an intermediary component in the second region. This member includes a bubble-reducing structure that captures and removes bubbles from the fluid stream, acting as a mediator between the flushing operation and the transducer to prevent bubble interference with ultrasound signals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a bubble-reducing member is added to prevent bubble interference, then image quality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bubble-reducing member is designed to perform multiple functions: it reduces bubble formation, maintains fluid flow, and can be integrated with the drive cable assembly. By combining these functions into a single component, the overall device complexity increase is minimized while achieving reliable bubble reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The bubble-reducing member is nested within the existing catheter structure, specifically within the lumen of the catheter and around the drive cable. This nested configuration allows the bubble-reducing functionality to be incorporated without significantly increasing the external dimensions or overall complexity of the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the bubble-reducing member blocks bubble flow, then transducer protection is improved, but fluid flow may be restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebubble flow disruptionVSAvoidfluid flow

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The bubble-reducing structure is designed with specific local properties: it has openings or pores that are large enough to allow fluid flow but small enough to capture bubbles. This local quality differentiation enables selective filtration of bubbles while maintaining adequate fluid flow through the structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The bubble-reducing structure utilizes porous materials or perforated designs that allow fluid to pass through while trapping bubbles. The porous structure provides numerous small pathways for fluid flow while the surface area and pore configuration effectively capture and remove bubbles from the flow stream.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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 formation and disruption, maintaining image quality by allowing fluid flow while minimizing bubble impact on the transducer.

Implementation Method 1

the bubble-reducing member is configured to allow fluid to flow between the proximal end region to the distal end region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 2

disrupting the flow of bubbles between the proximal end region and the distal end region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBubble flow disruption:

Implementation Method 3

using hydrophobic coatings to reduce bubble adherence

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobic effect: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentEP4527311B1Imaging medical device systems with a bubble-reducing member

Publication Date: 2026.01.14 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC

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AI summary

The present invention relates to an imaging medical device, comprising an elongate shaft having a distal end region and a proximal end region, a hub coupled to the proximal end region, the hub including a flush port, a tip member coupled to the distal end region, an imaging assembly disposed within the elongate shaft, the imaging assembly including a drive cable, a housing coupled to the drive cable, and a transducer coupled to the housing, a vent hole adjacent to the housing, such that fluid may be infused at the flush port on the hub and exit the vent hole to flush the shaft, and a bubble-reducing member designed so that when the shaft is flushed, the bubble-reducing member blocks or reduces bubbles from traveling along the shaft towards the housing and transducer.