Intravascular Ultrasound Pullback System with Stretchable Transducer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pullback systems for intravascular ultrasound are bulky, complex, and prone to errors in distance measurement due to their enlarged structure and method of pulling the entire system, which can lead to inaccurate diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
A simplified and miniaturized pullback system featuring a central unit with a rotation transducer and a stretchable part connected to it, along with a first unit that moves to contract or stretch the stretchable part, allowing for precise rotation and pullback of the transducer without bending, thus reducing device size and weight and minimizing measurement errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the conventional pullback system uses a method of pulling the whole system for rotating the catheter, then the rotation function is achieved, but the entire structure is enlarged and complicated, increasing production costs and device weight
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into a rotatable central unit and a non-rotatable first unit, with only the necessary rotation transducer part being rotatable. This segmentation allows the rotation function to be achieved while simplifying the overall structure and reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation function is extracted from the entire catheter system and concentrated only in the central unit. The first unit is designed to remain non-rotatable, taking out the unnecessary rotation complexity from the overall system while maintaining the required rotation capability for imaging.
2Measurement precision
If the conventional pullback system pulls the whole device for rotating the catheter, then the pullback operation is performed, but the catheter may be pulled back in a bending state, increasing error occurrence probability of pulling distance
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is segmented into a rotatable central unit and a non-rotatable first unit. During pullback operation, only the central unit rotates while the first unit remains straight and non-rotatable, ensuring accurate distance measurement without bending errors while maintaining operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation function is extracted from the pullback mechanism, allowing the pullback operation to be performed on a non-rotatable segment (first unit) that maintains straightness for accurate distance measurement, while the rotation is independently provided by the central unit.
3Weight of moving object
If the conventional pullback system uses a method of pulling the whole system, then the pullback function is achieved, but the device size and weight are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The pullback system is segmented into a lightweight non-rotatable first unit and a compact rotatable central unit. This segmentation reduces the overall device weight while maintaining the pullback function, as the heavier rotation mechanism is confined to a smaller portion of the catheter.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation mechanism is extracted from the entire pullback system and concentrated in the central unit only. This allows the first unit to be minimized in weight and size while still providing the necessary pullback function through the streamlined configuration.
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
The system effectively decreases the size and weight of the device, enhances the accuracy of intravascular diagnosis by preventing errors in pullback distance measurement, and maintains stable rotation of the transducer for comprehensive blood vessel analysis.
Implementation Method 1
a stretchable part connected to a side of the rotation transducer part to rotate together with the rotation transducer part and having a stretchable property
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a pullback system, which has a simplified and miniaturized structure and an advanced function. The pullback system includes a central unit, which includes a rotation transducer part that rotates, and a stretchable part that is connected to a side of the rotation transducer part to rotate together with the rotation transducer part and that has a stretchable property, and a first unit rotatably coupled to a portion of the central unit. As the first unit moves in a first direction oriented from the rotation transducer part to the stretchable part or in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the stretchable part contacts or stretches.