Intravascular Lithotripsy Emitter Housing for Precise Energy Concentration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intravascular lithotripsy methods struggle to accurately and precisely direct energy to treat severe vascular lesions, such as calcified lesions, within blood vessels, posing a risk for major adverse events.
Innovation Solution
A catheter system with an energy guide, plasma generator, and emitter assembly that generates plasma bubbles to concentrate energy for precise fracture induction at treatment sites, using a combination of optical fibers and laser energy to direct pressure waves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional intravascular lithotripsy methods are used, then treatment of vascular lesions can be performed, but energy direction and concentration is insufficient leading to imprecise fracture induction
Solution Approach 1:
The emitter assembly is segmented into multiple functional components: energy guide (optical fiber), plasma generator, and emitter housing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function - the energy guide for precise energy transmission, the plasma generator for bubble formation, and the housing for structural support and alignment - thereby improving both energy direction precision and fracture induction reliability
Solution Approach 2:
A plasma bubble acts as an intermediary medium between the optical energy source and the calcified lesion. The plasma bubble converts optical energy to mechanical shock waves that can effectively fracture calcium deposits, bridging the gap between the energy source and target tissue while improving energy transmission efficiency and precision
2Manufacturing precision
If energy is generated within the fluid-filled balloon, then intravascular lithotripsy treatment can be performed, but accurate and precise energy direction to treatment site is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The energy guide (optical fiber) is nested within the emitter housing, which itself is positioned within the fluid-filled balloon catheter. This nested arrangement allows the complex multi-component emitter assembly to be delivered through a relatively simple catheter structure, maintaining energy delivery precision while managing device complexity through hierarchical integration
Solution Approach 2:
The emitter assembly introduces a new spatial dimension for energy delivery by positioning the plasma generator and energy guide in a specific three-dimensional configuration within the balloon. This spatial arrangement enables precise energy direction to the treatment site by controlling the orientation and positioning of each component relative to the vessel wall
3Force
If high energy source is used to generate plasma and pressure waves, then calcification can be cracked, but energy concentration and direction control is challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The emitter assembly concentrates high energy at a specific local position - the plasma bubble formation site - rather than distributing it broadly. The optical fiber delivers energy to a precise focal point where plasma is generated, creating localized high-intensity shock waves that fracture calcification with precise energy concentration control
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic pulsed energy delivery through the optical fiber to generate repeated plasma bubbles. This periodic action allows control over the timing and intensity of fracture forces, enabling precise energy concentration by delivering energy in controlled pulses rather than continuous exposure
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
Enhances vessel patency and therapy delivery by accurately imparting fractures at treatment sites, reducing the risk of adverse events through precise energy concentration.
Implementation Method 1
The energy guide is configured to receive energy from the energy source and direct the energy toward the plasma generator to generate a plasma bubble in the catheter fluid
Implementation Method 2
The rapid change in fluid momentum upon hitting the balloon wall is known as hydraulic shock, or water hammer
Implementation Method 3
Intravascular lithotripsy utilizes a combination of pressure waves and bubble dynamics that are generated intravascularly
Data Source
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AI summary
A catheter system (100) for treating a treatment site (106) within or adjacent to a vessel wall (108A) of a blood vessel (108) within a body (107) of a patient (109) includes an energy source (124), a catheter fluid (132), and an emitter assembly (129). The energy source (124) generates energy. The emitter assembly (129) includes (i) at least a portion of an energy guide (122A) having a guide distal end (122D) that is selectively positioned near the treatment site (106), (ii) a plasma generator (133), and (iii) an emitter housing (260) that is secured to each of the energy guide (122A) and the plasma generator (133) to maintain a relative position between the guide distal end (122D) of the energy guide (122A) and the plasma generator (133). The energy guide (122A) is configured to receive energy from the energy source (124) and direct the energy toward the plasma generator (133) to generate a plasma bubble (134) in the catheter fluid (132). The plasma generator (133) directs energy from the plasma bubble (134) toward the treatment site (106).