Laser Shock Wave Balloon Catheter for Calcified Vessel Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing probes struggle with inefficiencies in applying force necessary for treatment, particularly in treating calcified areas in blood vessels, such as those described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. H5-300911 A and Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-522344 A.
Innovation Solution
A balloon catheter design incorporating a laser emission unit, transmission portion, and light absorption portion within an inflatable member, which emits and directs laser beams to generate shock waves for targeted treatment, with components distributed along the elongated and inflatable members to enhance treatment efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional probes are used to treat calcified areas, then treatment can be performed, but the efficiency of applying force to the target site is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The probe is divided into multiple functional segments: a laser emission unit, a transmission portion (including the inflatable member that transmits laser), and a light absorption portion. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, improving overall treatment efficiency and force application reliability to the calcified target site.
2Force
If laser beam is transmitted through the inflatable member, then shock waves can be generated at the target site, but laser beam attenuation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable member acts as an intermediary that transmits the laser beam from the emission unit to the light absorption portion while maintaining sufficient energy. The material and structure of the inflatable member are designed to minimize laser attenuation, enabling effective shock wave generation at the target site despite the transmission path.
Solution Approach 2:
The properties of the inflatable member (such as material composition, thickness, and optical characteristics) are optimized to balance laser transmission efficiency with the need to contain and direct the laser beam for effective shock wave generation, thereby reducing energy loss while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
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 design improves the efficiency of treating calcified areas by reliably applying laser-induced shock waves to the target site, ensuring effective treatment with minimal attenuation.
Implementation Method 1
a laser emission unit that can emit a laser beam outward in the radial direction, a transmission portion that can transmit the laser beam emitted from the laser emission unit in the radial direction, and a light absorption portion that can absorb the laser beam having passed through the transmission portion
Data Source
AI summary
A balloon catheter according to the present disclosure includes: an elongated member; and an inflatable member supported on an outer surface of the elongated member and inflatable outward in a radial direction of the elongated member, in which from an inner side to an outer side in the radial direction, a laser emission unit that can emit a laser beam outward in the radial direction, a transmission portion that can transmit the laser beam emitted from the laser emission unit in the radial direction, and a light absorption portion that can absorb the laser beam having passed through the transmission portion are provided, and the laser emission unit, the transmission portion, and the light absorption portion are provided only in the elongated member, only in the inflatable member, or in both the elongated member and the inflatable member in a divided manner.