Movable Inner Sheath Stabilizes Ultrasonic Imaging in Catheters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging devices face challenges in acquiring accurate three-dimensional images of large internal structures, such as heart chambers, due to instability and limited range of ultrasonic wave propagation, and struggle to remove air from the sheath efficiently, affecting image quality.
Innovation Solution
The imaging device features an elongated outer sheath with a movable inner sheath and drive shaft, allowing the imaging unit to be stabilized and moved along the central axis, and a fluid communication system to remove air by introducing saline solution through strategically positioned ports, ensuring accurate and wide-range image acquisition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the vibrator area is increased to enable ultrasonic waves to spread over longer distances in large spaces like heart chambers, then the imaging range is improved, but the position stability of the distal portion deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structure where the vibrator is housed within an outer sheath, and an inner sheath is movable within the outer sheath. This nesting allows the vibrator to have a larger area for wide-range imaging while the inner sheath provides stabilization, preventing the distal portion from moving freely despite the larger vibrator size.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner sheath acts as an intermediary between the large vibrator and the outer sheath. It stabilizes the position of the distal portion while allowing the vibrator to maintain its larger area for extended ultrasonic wave propagation in large spaces like heart chambers.
2Device complexity
If air is not removed from the sheath, then the device structure is simpler, but ultrasonic wave propagation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates air removal ports that enable air to be removed from the sheath before imaging begins. This preliminary action ensures that the sheath is filled with saline solution, creating optimal conditions for ultrasonic wave propagation efficiency throughout the imaging process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the vibrator is actuated in a large space, then the imaging range is improved, but the position stability of the distal portion deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The nested configuration of the inner sheath within the outer sheath allows the vibrator to be actuated freely in large spaces for extended imaging range, while the inner sheath simultaneously provides stabilization to prevent excessive movement of the distal portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner sheath is designed to be movable within the outer sheath, providing dynamic stabilization. This allows the system to adapt to the vibrator's actuation in large spaces while maintaining position stability through the movable inner sheath's stabilizing effect.
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 configuration enables stable and accurate three-dimensional image acquisition over a wide range by maintaining the imaging unit's position and removing air effectively, enhancing the quality of images obtained from large internal structures like heart chambers.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging device using ultrasonic waves includes a vibrator for sending and receiving ultrasonic waves
Implementation Method 2
With the sheath filled up with saline (i.e., saline solution), ultrasonic waves generated or detected by the vibrator can efficiently be propagated through the sheath
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging device capable of acquiring images of an internal structure of a living body highly accurately in a wide range. An imaging device has a first housing to which a proximal portion of an outer sheath is fixed, with a drive shaft for driving a imaging unit and an inner sheath extending through the first housing, and a second housing to which a proximal portion of the inner sheath is fixed and which holds the drive shaft rotatably therein. The first housing has a first port held in fluid communication with an inner lumen of the outer sheath, and the second housing is movable toward and away from the first housing. The imaging device also includes a first gap between the inner sheath and the outer sheath and a second gap between the inner sheath and the drive shaft.