Optical Analyzer Assembly for Plasma-Monitored Intravascular Lithotripsy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vascular lesions within vessels in the body are difficult to treat effectively, posing a risk for major adverse events, and existing interventions may require subsequent treatments.
Innovation Solution
A catheter system with a light source, balloon, and optical analyzer assembly is used to generate plasma in a balloon fluid, inducing pressure waves to fracture vascular lesions, while an optical analyzer monitors plasma generation and light guide integrity for safety and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional treatments (balloon angioplasty, atherectomy, stent placement) are used for severe vascular lesions, then the procedures can be performed with existing equipment, but the treatments are often ineffective in achieving patency and may require subsequent interventions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical treatment methods (balloon angioplasty, atherectomy, stent placement) with a plasma-based system that uses light energy to generate plasma within the balloon, creating pressure waves to treat vascular lesions. This substitution of mechanical systems with plasma/energy-based systems aims to achieve more effective treatment in a single intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and parameters of the balloon fluid by generating plasma through light energy delivery. The plasma generation creates rapid bubble formation and pressure waves, fundamentally changing the treatment mechanism from mechanical to energy-based, thereby improving treatment efficacy.
2Power
If high energy light is delivered to generate plasma in the balloon fluid, then pressure waves can be induced to treat vascular lesions, but the light guide may be damaged or fail
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates an optical analyzer assembly that continuously monitors the light guide for damage or failure and detects plasma generation events. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect light guide integrity issues and plasma generation in real-time, enabling immediate response to prevent further damage or ensure proper treatment delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical analyzer assembly provides advance detection of light guide damage before it compromises treatment safety or efficacy. By monitoring light guide integrity continuously, the system can alert operators to potential failures before they lead to harmful outcomes, cushioning against the risks of high power light delivery.
3Reliability
If plasma generation is monitored in real-time, then treatment safety can be ensured, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical analyzer assembly serves multiple functions: it monitors light guide integrity, detects plasma generation events, and provides feedback on treatment delivery. By combining these monitoring functions into a single integrated system, the patent reduces overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive safety monitoring.
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 provides real-time monitoring and ensures reliable treatment of vascular lesions by detecting plasma generation and light guide integrity, reducing the risk of adverse events and ensuring consistent treatment efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
The light guide is configured to receive the light energy at a guide proximal end and guide the light energy in a first direction from the guide proximal end toward a guide distal end
Implementation Method 2
the light source generates pulses of light energy that are guided along the light guide into the balloon interior to induce plasma generation in the balloon fluid within the balloon interior
Implementation Method 3
the light source generates pulses of light energy that are guided along the light guide into the balloon interior to induce plasma generation in the balloon fluid
Implementation Method 4
the optical analyzer assembly is configured to optically analyze light energy from the light guide that moves in a second direction opposite from the first direction
Data Source
AI summary
A catheter system for treating a treatment site within or adjacent to a vessel wall includes a light source, a balloon, a light guide, and an optical analyzer assembly. The light source generates light energy. The balloon is positionable substantially adjacent to the vascular lesion. The balloon has a balloon wall that defines a balloon interior that receives a balloon fluid. The light guide receives light energy from the light source at a guide proximal end and guides the light energy toward a guide distal end and into the balloon interior. The optical analyzer assembly is configured to optically analyze light energy emitted from the guide proximal end of the light guide.