In Situ Kidney Stone Composition Analysis via Laser Spectroscopy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser lithotripsy methods lack the ability to assess kidney stone composition in real-time, leading to suboptimal operational settings that can prolong procedure time and risk tissue damage.
Innovation Solution
A medical system with optical fibers and a console that projects coherent light onto a kidney stone, receives a reaction light signal, and processes it to determine the stone's composition, adjusting operational settings such as pulse frequency and wavelength based on the analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If laser lithotripsy is performed without real-time composition assessment, then the procedure can be performed with simpler equipment, but the operational settings cannot be optimized leading to prolonged procedure time and increased risk of tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the spectroscopy assessment system and laser lithotripsy system into a single integrated medical device. The spectroscopy module and laser delivery system are merged within the same catheter assembly, allowing composition analysis and treatment to occur through the same access point without requiring separate diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The medical system performs multiple functions through a single device: it can assess kidney stone composition using spectroscopy, determine optimal laser operational settings based on the composition, and deliver laser lithotripsy treatment. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate assessment and treatment procedures.
2Productivity
If real-time composition assessment is implemented, then operational settings can be optimized for faster procedures, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs spectroscopy-based composition assessment before initiating laser lithotripsy treatment. By determining the kidney stone composition in advance, the system can pre-calculate and set the optimal laser operational parameters (wavelength, pulse duration, power) before the actual fragmentation procedure begins, enabling faster and more efficient treatment.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If optimal laser settings are used based on composition assessment, then tissue damage risk is reduced, but the system requires complex spectroscopy and processing capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses spectroscopy to obtain real-time feedback on kidney stone composition, then automatically adjusts laser operational settings based on this feedback. The composition assessment results directly inform the laser parameter selection, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes treatment while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes laser operational parameters (wavelength, pulse duration, power level) based on the detected kidney stone composition. Different stone compositions (calcium oxalate, uric acid, struvite, etc.) require different laser parameters for optimal fragmentation, and the system automatically adjusts these parameters to match the specific composition being treated.
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
Enables real-time assessment of kidney stone composition, optimizing laser lithotripsy settings for faster procedures and reduced risk of tissue damage by determining the material composition and adjusting operational parameters accordingly.
Implementation Method 1
receiving a reaction light signal emanating from the kidney stone in response to the coherent light
Implementation Method 2
the reaction light signal is defined at least partially by reflections of the coherent light
Implementation Method 3
The projected coherent light may be configured to cause fragmentation of the kidney stone
Implementation Method 4
projecting a coherent light away from the distal end onto a kidney stone within the patient
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are medical systems, devices, and methods for performing a laser lithotripsy procedure on a patient. A medical system includes a medical device, having optical fibers extending therealong, and the elongate medical device is configured for advancement along a urinary tract of a patient. The system further includes a console including one or more processors and logic stored in memory that, when executed, causes operations of the system that include (i) projecting a coherent light away from the distal end onto a kidney stone within the patient, (ii) receiving a reaction light signal emanating from the kidney stone in response to the coherent light, and (iii) processing the reaction light signal to determine therefrom a material composition of the kidney stone. The system is also configured to project a coherent light onto the kidney stone to cause fragmentation of the kidney stone and the operational settings of the coherent light may be based on the determined composition of the kidney stone.