Liquid Light-Guide Catheter Tip for Diverging Laser Beam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheters with optical fibers face challenges in delivering energy effectively to ablate difficult targets such as calcified endovascular lesions, as they often result in light loss due to the geometry of the waveguides, limiting the energy density and spot size of the laser beam.
Innovation Solution
The development of tapered waveguides and catheter tips with diverging or converging configurations that increase the energy density and spot size by using materials with a lower index of refraction than the liquid medium, allowing for total internal reflection and minimizing light loss, while maintaining flexibility and efficiency in energy delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional waveguide geometry is used, then light transmission is achieved, but light loss occurs and energy density is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from conventional solid waveguide geometry to a liquid-filled waveguide configuration. This fundamental parameter change in the waveguide medium eliminates light loss at waveguide walls while maintaining effective light transmission to the target tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces liquid as an intermediary medium within the waveguide. This liquid medium serves as a superior light transmission medium compared to solid waveguide materials, eliminating the harmful interaction between light and waveguide walls that causes energy loss.
2Area of stationary object
If conventional waveguide geometry is used, then light transmission is achieved, but spot size is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the waveguide into a conventional proximal portion and a diverging distal portion. The diverging section allows the light beam to expand and increase spot size while the proximal section maintains the necessary structural integrity and light coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a diverging geometric configuration in the distal portion of the waveguide, adding dimensional complexity to expand the light beam in multiple directions and increase the effective spot size at the target.
3Power
If energy density is increased to ablate difficult targets, then ablation effectiveness improves, but light loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid medium acts as an intermediary that enables high energy density transmission without the light loss that would otherwise occur at solid waveguide walls, allowing effective ablation of difficult targets.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the waveguide medium parameter from solid to liquid, the system can transmit higher energy densities to the target without proportional increases in light loss, improving ablation effectiveness.
4Reliability
If waveguide material with higher index of refraction is used, then light confinement is improved, but light loss at walls increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid medium serves as an intermediary that provides both effective light confinement and minimal wall interaction losses, overcoming the trade-off between confinement and loss present in solid waveguide materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the refractive index parameter of the waveguide medium by using liquid instead of solid materials, achieving optimal balance between light confinement and minimal wall loss.
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 tapered waveguides and tips enhance energy density and spot size, improving the ability to ablate stubborn lesions and occlusions by increasing the cutting cross-section and flexibility of the catheter, while maintaining efficient light transmission and internal reflection.
Implementation Method 1
using materials with a lower index of refraction than the liquid medium, allowing for total internal reflection and minimizing light loss
Implementation Method 2
tapered waveguides and catheter tips with diverging or converging configurations that increase the energy density and spot size
Data Source
AI summary
A light-diverting catheter tip is provided according to embodiments disclosed herein. The light-diverting catheter tip may be coupled with the distal tip of a laser catheter and divert at least a portion of the light exiting the distal tip of the laser catheter such that the spot size of the laser beam on an object after exiting the catheter tip is larger than the spot size of the light entering the catheter without the catheter tip. The catheter tip may be removably coupled with the catheter or constructed as part of the catheter. In other embodiment, the catheter tip may conduct fluid and/or divert fluid at the tip of the laser catheter.