Micro-Catheter Pressure Sensor Centering Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assessing the severity of stenosis in blood vessels, such as fractional flow reserve (FFR) and pressure-sensing guidewires, face challenges like inaccurate pressure readings, difficulty maneuvering through blockages, high costs, and reduced precision, especially in evaluating multiple lesions and post-surgical reassessment.
Innovation Solution
A micro-catheter with a pressure sensor and centering assembly that allows for accurate pressure measurements by maintaining the guidewire's position during measurements and enabling precise placement and steering within vessels, using sensors embedded within the catheter wall and a centering mechanism to improve accuracy and maneuverability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a pressure-sensing guidewire is used to measure pressure gradient across a lesion, then pressure measurements can be obtained, but the measurements are inaccurate due to drift and thermal variations
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensing capability is extracted from the guidewire and transferred to a separate micro-catheter system. This allows the guidewire to serve its primary function of navigation while the micro-catheter with pressure sensor performs accurate pressure measurements, eliminating the drift and thermal variation problems associated with embedded guidewire sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
A micro-catheter is introduced as an intermediary carrier for the pressure sensor. The micro-catheter houses the pressure sensor and positions it accurately at the distal end, serving as a mediator between the measurement system and the vessel, thereby improving measurement reliability and reducing thermal interference.
2Ease of operation
If a pressure-sensing guidewire is used, then pressure measurements are possible, but the guidewire is difficult to maneuver through blockages
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into two independent components: a guidewire for navigation and maneuvering through blockages, and a micro-catheter for pressure measurement. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, with the guidewire providing excellent maneuverability and the micro-catheter providing accurate pressure sensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The micro-catheter system provides multi-functionality by combining pressure sensing with the ability to navigate through vessels. The micro-catheter can follow the guidewire through blockages while simultaneously performing pressure measurements, eliminating the need for the guidewire itself to have pressure sensing capability.
3Productivity
If a pressure-sensing guidewire is used, then pressure measurements can be taken, but repositioning is time-consuming for multiple lesions
Solution Approach 1:
The micro-catheter is advanced through the vessel and positioned at the distal end before the actual pressure measurement is needed. This preliminary positioning allows for rapid pressure measurements at multiple locations without requiring time-consuming repositioning, as the micro-catheter can be quickly moved along the guidewire to assess different lesions.
4Measurement precision
If a small catheter with sensor housing is used to measure pressure gradient, then pressure measurements are possible, but the catheter creates additional blockage that exaggerates the pressure gradient
Solution Approach 1:
The micro-catheter employs a thin-walled, flexible construction with minimal cross-sectional area. This thin-film design reduces the catheter's physical presence in the vessel, minimizing the additional blockage effect and allowing for more accurate pressure gradient measurements that reflect the true lesion severity rather than being exaggerated by catheter-induced obstruction.
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 micro-catheter system provides more accurate and reliable pressure measurements, allowing for precise assessment of stenosis severity and effective treatment decision-making, while maintaining the guidewire's position and enabling post-treatment reassessment without additional blockage, thus improving treatment outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
pressure sensor embedded within the guidewire itself
Data Source
AI summary
What is described is an apparatus for intravascular pressure measurement, comprising an elongate body, a first pressure sensor and a centering assembly disposed adjacent the sensor. In one aspect, the elongate body has a uniform diameter from the distal end to the proximal end. In another aspect, the uniform diameter is 0.035 inches or less. In still a further aspect, the elongated body is a catheter having a plurality of reinforcing filaments and the filaments are utilized to electrically connect the sensor to the proximal end.