Laser Multiplexer for Multi-Lesion Intravascular Lithotripsy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lithoplasty catheter systems face challenges in efficiently treating multiple closely spaced vascular lesions with a single insertion due to limitations in energy delivery through optical fibers, including physical damage concerns and nonlinear processes like Stimulated Brillouin Scattering, making it impractical to have dedicated lasers for each optical fiber.
Innovation Solution
A multiplexer is used to multiplex a single high-power laser source into multiple light guides or fiber optic channels, allowing simultaneous or sequential delivery of light energy to multiple treatment sites within a balloon catheter, generating plasma and pressure waves to fracture vascular lesions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If dedicated lasers are used for each optical fiber, then energy delivery capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical fibers into a single bundle and uses a single high-power laser source to illuminate all fibers simultaneously. The light from one laser is distributed across multiple fibers through close proximity coupling, eliminating the need for separate lasers for each fiber while maintaining high energy delivery capability to multiple treatment sites.
Solution Approach 2:
A single laser source performs the function of multiple dedicated lasers by illuminating multiple optical fibers simultaneously. This universal light source can deliver energy to multiple treatment sites through different fibers, making the system more efficient and less complex while maintaining the ability to treat multiple vascular lesions.
2Power
If high energy is delivered through optical fibers, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but physical damage and nonlinear processes like Stimulated Brillouin Scattering occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the high-power laser energy across multiple optical fibers simultaneously. By distributing the total energy among several fibers rather than concentrating it in one fiber, the energy density per fiber is reduced below the threshold for Stimulated Brillouin Scattering and physical damage, while the cumulative energy delivery to multiple treatment sites remains high.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple optical fibers act as intermediaries that distribute and attenuate the high-power laser energy. Each fiber receives a portion of the total energy, preventing any single fiber from experiencing harmful energy concentrations. The fibers collectively deliver the required energy to multiple treatment sites without suffering from nonlinear optical effects.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple optical fibers are used to treat multiple lesions, then treatment versatility is improved, but the risk of physical damage to fibers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple optical fibers into a single bundle that is illuminated by one high-power laser. This configuration provides treatment versatility for multiple lesions while protecting individual fibers from damage, since the laser energy is distributed across all fibers in the bundle rather than concentrated in any single fiber.
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
This approach enables the treatment of multiple vascular lesions with a single insertion by increasing energy delivery without exceeding safe energy levels per fiber, enhancing vessel patency and optimizing therapy delivery.
Implementation Method 1
a high energy source is used to generate plasma and ultimately pressure waves as well as a rapid bubble expansion within a fluid-filled balloon to crack calcification
Implementation Method 2
the light source includes a laser
Implementation Method 3
The multiplexer receives the light energy from the light source in the form of a source beam and selectively directs the light energy from the light source in the form of individual guide beams to each of the first light guide and the second light guide
Implementation Method 4
lithoplasty utilizes a combination of pressure waves and bubble dynamics that are generated intravascularly in a fluid-filled balloon catheter
Implementation Method 5
The rapid change in fluid momentum upon hitting the balloon wall is known as hydraulic shock, or water hammer
Data Source
AI summary
A catheter system for treating a vascular lesion within or adjacent to a vessel wall within a body of a patient includes a single light source that generates light energy, a first light guide and a second light guide, and a multiplexer. The first light guide and the second light guide are each configured to selectively receive light energy from the light source. The multiplexer receives the light energy from the light source in the form of a source beam and selectively directs the light energy from the light source in the form of individual guide beams to each of the first light guide and the second light guide.