Multi-focal Intravascular Pressure Catheter with Nanoparticle Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional intravascular pressure measurement devices are inadequate for peripheral vasculature due to fragile guidewires, limited vessel diameter, single focal pressure measurement, and lack of a stable working platform for device delivery or intervention.
Innovation Solution
A multi-focal intravascular pressure catheter with a plurality of pressure sensors spaced along its length, using deformable pressure membranes made of materials like carbon nanotubes or silver nanoparticles to measure pressure and pressure gradients, communicating signals to an electrical interface for calibration and display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional single-point pressure measurement devices are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision and information completeness deteriorate due to single focal measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into multiple segments, each containing pressure sensors at different focal points along the catheter body. This segmentation allows simultaneous pressure measurement at multiple locations (e.g., proximal, mid, and distal sections), transforming a single-point measurement device into a multi-focal measurement system that provides comprehensive pressure distribution data throughout the vessel.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement capability transitions from one-dimensional (single point) to multi-dimensional (multiple points along the catheter length). By distributing pressure sensors along the axial dimension of the catheter, the system captures pressure variations at different spatial locations simultaneously, enabling gradient calculation and more precise hemodynamic assessment without requiring multiple separate measurements.
2Reliability
If conventional guidewires are used in peripheral vasculature, then device simplicity is maintained, but reliability and strength deteriorate due to fragile guidewires
Solution Approach 1:
The guidewire and pressure measurement catheter are merged into a single integrated assembly. The catheter body incorporates both the structural guidewire function and the pressure sensing capability, eliminating the need for separate fragile guidewires. This integration provides both mechanical support for navigation and simultaneous pressure measurement, improving reliability in peripheral vasculature while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a guidewire for navigation, a pressure measurement device for hemodynamic assessment, and a structural support element. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized components, reducing overall system complexity while enhancing reliability through functional integration.
3Measurement precision
If conventional end hole catheters are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates due to limited vessel diameter compatibility
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter incorporates multiple pressure sensing zones along its length, with each zone containing sensors positioned at different focal points. This segmentation allows the device to adapt to various vessel diameters and anatomical configurations, providing accurate measurements in both small and large vessels. The multi-focal design ensures that at least one sensor remains optimally positioned regardless of vessel size variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter design allows for adjustable and variable parameters including sensor positioning, focal point distances, and measurement zones. These parameters can be optimized for different vessel diameters and anatomical locations, enabling the same catheter structure to achieve high measurement precision across a wide range of clinical applications without requiring multiple specialized devices.
4Loss of time
If pullback studies are performed with conventional devices, then comprehensive pressure data can be obtained, but time consumption and procedural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensors are pre-positioned at multiple focal points along the catheter body before insertion. This preliminary positioning of measurement points eliminates the need for pullback studies, as all required pressure data is captured simultaneously during a single forward pass through the vessel. The multi-focal sensors are strategically placed to cover the entire region of interest in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter maintains continuous pressure measurement capability at all focal points simultaneously during its stationary position or forward movement. This continuous multi-point measurement eliminates interruptions and repeated positioning operations, providing uninterrupted pressure data collection that reduces procedural time while maintaining complete measurement coverage for accurate gradient calculation.
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
Enables simultaneous pressure measurement at multiple locations, providing real-time multi-focal pressure information and gradients without the need for pullback studies, improving stability and accuracy in peripheral vasculature applications.
Implementation Method 1
the pressure membrane can comprise carbon nanotubes, silver nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles or another suitable material that can provide a signal in response to a mechanical change (e.g., deformation or flexing of the pressure membrane) to indicate a pressure or change in pressure
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments relate to multi-focal intravascular pressure catheters and related systems and methods. In an embodiment, a catheter comprises a plurality of pressure sensors spaced apart along at least a portion of the catheter. Each of the plurality of pressure sensors can comprise a pressure membrane arranged over an aperture in the catheter. In an embodiment, the pressure membrane can comprise carbon nanotubes, silver or gold nanoparticles, or another suitable material that can provide a signal in response to a mechanical change (e.g., deformation or flexing of the pressure membrane) to indicate a pressure or change in pressure. Signals from the plurality of pressure sensors can be communicated to an electrical interface which can calibrate or convert the signals into a visual indication of the pressure at any one of the plurality of pressure sensors as well as pressure gradients between various ones of the plurality of pressure sensors.