Laser Ablation Catheter with Segmented Containment Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical procedures for removing occlusions from blood vessels are limited by the risk of embolism, excessive removal of native blood and tissue, and the challenge of accommodating varying emboli sizes and vessel diameters, particularly in small and critical areas, with limited time for the procedure.
Innovation Solution
A laser cutting and aspiration atherectomy system comprising a catheter with a ring of cutting fibers and an inner lumen for material removal, which uses pulsed aspiration and an in-line filter, along with mechanical cutting features and deflection components to efficiently create pilot channels and remove occlusive material without causing further complications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If constant flow suction or vacuum pressure is used to remove freed or dislodged occlusions, then emboli removal effectiveness is improved, but excessive removal of native blood and tissue occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is segmented into distinct functional zones: a distal containment chamber for trapping emboli, an intermediate processing section with cutting elements, and a proximal aspiration system. This segmentation allows selective removal of emboli while preserving native tissue by containing and processing material in discrete sections rather than applying suction throughout the entire catheter length.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary containment chamber and filtering mechanism between the vessel and the aspiration source. This intermediary structure captures emboli and separates them from native blood and tissue before aspiration, allowing selective removal of harmful material while minimizing loss of beneficial substances.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the catheter is designed to accommodate large emboli, then emboli containment capability is improved, but the catheter cannot fit within small vessels
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter employs a nested structure where the containment chamber is positioned within the catheter body, and embolic material is captured inside this internal chamber. The cutting elements and aspiration channels are nested within the containment structure, allowing the system to accommodate large emboli volumes while maintaining a compact outer profile that can navigate small vessels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the longitudinal dimension of the catheter to accommodate large emboli, rather than increasing the radial dimension. The containment chamber extends along the length of the catheter, providing substantial emboli capacity while maintaining a small outer diameter suitable for navigating narrow vessels.
3Reliability
If complete vessel occlusion is used to contain emboli, then emboli containment effectiveness is improved, but procedural time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the emboli containment function from the requirement of complete vessel occlusion. By incorporating an internal containment chamber that actively captures and holds emboli, the system achieves reliable emboli containment without needing to completely occlude the vessel, thereby maintaining blood flow and reducing procedural time.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous aspiration system operates throughout the procedure, continuously removing emboli as they are generated or dislodged. This continuous action maintains emboli containment effectiveness without requiring intermittent complete occlusions, allowing uninterrupted blood flow and reducing overall procedural time.
4Productivity
If laser ablation is used to remove occlusions, then material removal effectiveness is improved, but excessive ablation of native tissue occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The laser fibers are positioned to deliver energy locally and selectively to occlusive material within the containment chamber. The containment structure confines the laser energy to the target area, preventing excessive ablation of native tissue. The system applies different qualities of energy delivery: high intensity localized ablation of occlusions versus minimal exposure of surrounding healthy tissue.
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 removes occlusions with minimal native tissue ablation, separates lesions into manageable pieces, and aspirates material through the catheter, enabling faster lumen creation and emboli removal while minimizing blood and tissue loss, thus reducing procedural risks and improving efficiency in small and critical vessels.
Implementation Method 1
a laser cutting and aspiration atherectomy system comprising a catheter with a ring of cutting fibers
Implementation Method 2
an inner lumen for material removal, which uses pulsed aspiration
Data Source
AI summary
A system and devices for ablation and removal of occlusions from blood vessels is provided. Laser cutting systems and mechanical cutting systems are provided in catheter devices, the cutting systems operable to ablate, cut, dislodge, and otherwise remove occlusions within a blood vessel that may limit or prevent proper circulation. Catheter systems comprise distal end features adapted to cut and remove at least portions of an occlusion that generally correspond to dimensions of an inner lumen of a catheter.