Laser Sonar Positioning for Medical Device Coating Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for applying therapeutic agents to expandable medical devices, such as drug-coated balloons, face challenges in maintaining a consistent distance between the coating applicator and the device surface, particularly for non-uniform shapes like tapered or bowed balloons, leading to uneven drug delivery and potential complications like restenosis and late stent thrombosis.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that maintains a fixed distance between the applicator outlet and the expandable member surface using a positioning device and controller, allowing for precise relative movement and controlled fluid application along a coating path, ensuring uniform coating even on asymmetrical surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional coating methods are used on expandable members with non-uniform shapes, then the coating process is simpler, but the distance between applicator and surface becomes inconsistent leading to uneven drug delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by mapping the three-dimensional surface geometry of the expandable member before the coating process. This pre-acquired geometric data is stored and used to generate real-time positioning commands during coating, allowing the system to compensate for non-uniform shapes without adding complexity to the actual coating application process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through a closed-loop positioning system that continuously compares the desired applicator position with the actual position relative to the expandable member surface. The system uses real-time distance measurements and adjusts the applicator position dynamically, ensuring consistent coating distance even on non-uniform surfaces while maintaining manageable system complexity through automated control.
2Reliability
If the applicator distance from the expandable member surface is not maintained consistently, then the coating process is faster, but the therapeutic agent distribution becomes uneven causing medical complications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing a dynamic positioning system that continuously adjusts the applicator position in real-time during the coating process. Rather than using a fixed rigid positioning mechanism, the system dynamically responds to the actual surface geometry and maintains optimal distance, ensuring consistent therapeutic agent delivery while adapting to variations in expandable member shape and size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by dynamically modifying the applicator position parameters (x, y, z coordinates) based on real-time feedback from distance sensors and pre-acquired geometric data. This allows the system to maintain consistent coating quality across different expandable member configurations without sacrificing overall coating efficiency through excessive slowing of the process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed positioning system is used for coating, then the system structure is simpler, but it cannot adapt to non-uniform expandable member shapes like tapered or bowed balloons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational layer that bridges the simple fixed positioning hardware and the complex non-uniform surface geometries. This intermediary system processes pre-acquired three-dimensional surface maps and generates real-time position adjustment commands, allowing relatively simple hardware to achieve high adaptability to various expandable member shapes without requiring complex mechanical positioning mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies copying by creating a digital three-dimensional replica or map of the expandable member surface geometry before the coating process. This virtual copy is used to guide the positioning system during coating, allowing the system to adapt to the specific shape (tapered, bowed, or otherwise non-uniform) without requiring physical reconfiguration of the coating apparatus, thus maintaining hardware simplicity while achieving geometric adaptability.
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 ensures consistent and controlled therapeutic agent delivery, reducing waste and improving uniformity, which can enhance the efficacy of treatments by minimizing restenosis and other complications associated with uneven drug distribution.
Implementation Method 1
The positioning device can include a laser source configured to produce a beam directed towards the surface of the expandable member
Implementation Method 2
or a sonar source configured to produce a pulse directed towards the surface of the expandable member
Data Source
AI summary
System and method for coating an expandable member of a medical device comprising a support structure to support the expandable member and an applicator positioned with at least one outlet proximate a surface of an expandable member. A drive assembly establishes relative movement between the at least one outlet and the surface of the expandable member to apply fluid on the surface of the expandable member along a coating path. A positioning device is provided to determine the distance to the surface of the expandable member at a corresponding location and relays the information to a controller or the like to maintain a substantially fixed distance between the outlet of the applicator and the surface of the expandable member when in alignment with the corresponding location.