Nested Balloon Catheter with Optical Fiber for Spinal Height Restoration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for degenerative disc disease and vertebral compression fractures are inadequate in restoring disc height and relieving pain, with existing methods often leading to long-term disability and spinal deformity if left untreated.
Innovation Solution
A medical device comprising a balloon catheter with an inner and outer balloon, an optical fiber, and a light-sensitive fluid, where the optical fiber emits light energy to cure the fluid within the inner balloon, expanding both balloons to restore vertebral height and disc space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional treatments are used for degenerative disc disease and vertebral compression fractures, then pain relief and structural support are provided, but disc height restoration is inadequate and long-term disability occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs nested balloons where an inner balloon is positioned inside an outer balloon. The inner balloon inflates first to restore disc height and vertebral body height, creating space. Then the outer balloon inflates to provide additional support and stabilization. This nested configuration allows sequential expansion to achieve precise height restoration while maintaining structural integrity, directly addressing the inadequate disc height restoration and preventing long-term disability
Solution Approach 2:
The inner balloon is inflated first to preliminarily restore the disc height and create space within the degenerative disc or compressed vertebra. This preliminary action prepares the structure for subsequent outer balloon inflation and light-curable material injection, enabling effective height restoration before final stabilization occurs
2Object-affected harmful factors
If existing treatment methods are applied, then some pain relief is achieved, but spinal deformity progresses and stability is not maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The device utilizes a light-curable material that is injected into the inner balloon cavity. When cured by light activation, this material provides durable structural support and stability. The combination of the inflatable balloon structure and the cured composite material creates a stable implant that prevents spinal deformity while maintaining the restored height, addressing both the harmful deformity progression and the need for long-term stability
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the physical state of the treatment material from liquid (injected light-curable material) to solid (cured material) through light activation. This parameter change enables the material to provide permanent structural support and stability within the balloon, preventing spinal deformity while maintaining the restored vertebral and disc height
3Device complexity
If a single balloon is used for expansion, then the procedure is simpler, but insufficient control over expansion and stabilization is achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The single balloon is segmented into two independent balloons: an inner balloon and an outer balloon. Each balloon can be inflated and controlled independently through separate inflation lumens. This segmentation provides precise control over the expansion process - the inner balloon restores height while the outer balloon provides stabilization - making the procedure more controllable despite the increased device complexity
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 solution effectively restores vertebral height, relieves pain, and provides a durable implant to replace degenerative discs, addressing the limitations of existing treatments by ensuring long-term stability and preventing further spinal deformity.
Implementation Method 1
the optical fiber emits light energy to cure the fluid within the inner balloon
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for treating conditions and diseases of the spine are disclosed herein. A device includes a balloon catheter comprising at least one inner lumen incorporated within an elongated shaft; a distal end having an inner balloon positioned inside and completely surrounded by an outer balloon; and a proximal end having an adapter for passage of at least one of an inflation fluid or a medical instrument; and an optical fiber comprising an outer diameter sized to pass through the inner lumen of the elongated shaft; a nonlinear light-emitting portion of a given length, wherein a portion of a cladding material from the nonlinear light-emitting portion has been removed so that light energy may be emitted along the length of the nonlinear light-emitting portion; and a linear elongated portion for guiding light towards the nonlinear light-emitting portion.