OCT Imaging Probe With Damped Optical Core for Tortuous Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging probes are limited by their size and rigidity, making it difficult to reach certain anatomical locations, and their insertion over a guidewire can compromise placement and limit the use of delivery catheters.
Innovation Solution
An imaging system with an imaging probe featuring a rotatable optical core within an elongate shaft, an optical assembly for light direction and collection, and a damping fluid to reduce non-uniform rotation, along with a fluid pressurization element to minimize bubble presence, allowing for improved flexibility and compatibility with delivery devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If current imaging probes are made rigid for structural stability, then they can maintain their shape during insertion, but they cannot reach certain anatomical locations due to size and rigidity limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging probe is divided into multiple segments including a catheter shaft, optical core, and imaging module that can move relative to each other. This segmentation allows the probe to navigate tortuous anatomical pathways while maintaining imaging capability, resolving the contradiction between flexibility for access and structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical core is positioned within the lumen of the elongate shaft, creating a nested structure. This allows the imaging components to be contained within a flexible catheter, enabling the probe to reach difficult anatomical locations while preserving the necessary structural framework for operation.
2Ease of operation
If imaging probes are inserted over a guidewire for delivery, then they can be delivered to target locations, but their placement is compromised and the use of delivery catheters is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging probe is designed with a universal delivery system that can be inserted through delivery catheters without requiring guidewire guidance. The probe's flexible elongate shaft and nested optical core allow it to be delivered through various catheter types, improving both delivery capability and placement accuracy by eliminating the guidewire constraint.
3Measurement precision
If the optical core rotates for imaging, then 360-degree visualization is achieved, but non-uniform rotation occurs without damping
Solution Approach 1:
A damping fluid is introduced as an intermediary between the optical core and the surrounding environment. This fluid provides viscous damping that stabilizes the rotation of the optical core, ensuring uniform 360-degree imaging while maintaining the high rotational speeds needed for accurate visualization.
4Stability of the object's composition
If damping fluid is used to stabilize rotation, then rotation uniformity improves, but bubbles may form and interfere with imaging
Solution Approach 1:
A fluid pressurization element is incorporated into the system to apply controlled pressure to the damping fluid. This pressurization eliminates trapped bubbles and prevents bubble formation during probe operation, maintaining the optical clarity needed for accurate imaging while preserving the rotation-stabilizing effects of the damping fluid.
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 system enables accurate capture of clots as small as 5 μm or more, provides treatment information for planning and predicting outcomes, and supports angiography data, enhancing the ability to assess disease severity and treat various anatomical locations.
Implementation Method 1
an optical assembly positioned proximate the distal end of the rotatable optical core and is configured to direct light to tissue and collect reflected light from the tissue
Implementation Method 2
a damping fluid positioned between the elongate shaft and the rotatable optical core and configured to reduce non-uniform rotation of the optical assembly
Implementation Method 3
a fluid pressurization element configured to increase the pressure of the damping fluid to reduce the presence of bubbles proximate the optical assembly
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are imaging systems for a patient comprising an imaging probe and an imaging assembly. The imaging probe comprises: an elongate shaft comprising a proximal end, a distal portion, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal portion; a rotatable optical core comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein at least a portion of the rotatable optical core is positioned within the lumen of the elongate shaft; and an optical assembly positioned proximate the distal end of the rotatable optical core, the optical assembly configured to direct light to tissue and collect reflected light from the tissue. The imaging assembly is constructed and arranged to optically couple to the imaging probe. The imaging assembly is configured to emit light into the imaging probe and receive the reflected light collected by the optical assembly. The system is configured to provide treatment information, wherein the treatment information is used by an operator to plan a treatment and/or predict a treatment outcome.