Optical Connector Assembly for Precise Intravascular Lithotripsy Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intravascular lithotripsy methods face challenges in enhancing vessel patency and optimizing therapy delivery parameters while maintaining ease of control and manufacturability.
Innovation Solution
A catheter system with an optical connector assembly that includes a guide coupling housing and ferrules, allowing precise alignment and adjustment of energy guides to receive energy from an energy source, along with a sealing member and contaminant inhibitor to ensure clean and efficient energy transfer for treating vascular lesions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing intravascular lithotripsy methods are used, then treatment of vascular lesions can be performed, but vessel patency enhancement and therapy delivery optimization are difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The optical connector assembly incorporates adjustable and movable components that allow dynamic optimization of energy guide alignment and positioning. The ferrules can be adjusted within the housing, and the entire assembly can be positioned relative to the energy source to optimize therapy delivery parameters, enabling reliable vessel patency enhancement without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows for optimization of therapy delivery parameters by adjusting the alignment and positioning of energy guides relative to the energy source. By changing the geometric parameters (alignment, distance, angle) of the optical components, the system can enhance treatment efficacy and vessel patency while maintaining controllable complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If precise alignment of energy guides is implemented, then energy transfer efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical connector assembly incorporates self-aligning features where the ferrules and housing are designed to automatically align energy guides with the energy source through mechanical constraints and geometric relationships. This self-alignment mechanism achieves precise energy transfer efficiency without requiring complex external alignment systems, thereby improving manufacturing precision while controlling device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable and movable components are added for optimization, then therapy delivery control is improved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical connector assembly is segmented into distinct functional components (ferrules, housing, positioning mechanisms) that can be independently adjusted and optimized. This segmentation allows for improved therapy delivery control through precise adjustment of individual components while maintaining ease of operation by enabling localized adjustments rather than requiring manipulation of the entire system.
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 enhances vessel patency by precisely directing energy to treat vascular lesions, reducing the risk of adverse events and improving treatment efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
a high energy source is used to generate plasma and ultimately pressure waves
Implementation Method 2
The associated rapid bubble formation from the plasma initiation and resulting localized fluid velocity within the balloon transfers mechanical energy through the incompressible fluid to impart a fracture force on the intravascular calcium
Implementation Method 3
utilizes a combination of pressure waves and bubble dynamics that are generated intravascularly in a fluid-filled balloon catheter
Implementation Method 4
The rapid change in fluid momentum upon hitting the balloon wall is known as hydraulic shock, or water hammer
Data Source
AI summary
A catheter system (100) for placement within a blood vessel (108) having a vessel wall (108A) for treating a treatment site (106) within or adjacent to the vessel wall (108A) within a body (107) of a patient (109) includes a system console (123), one or more energy guides (122A), and an optical connector assembly (251). The system console (123) includes an energy source (124) and a console connection aperture (148). The one or more energy guides (122A) are configured to receive energy from the energy source (124). The optical connector assembly (251) includes a guide coupling housing (250) that retains at least a portion of each of the one or more energy guides (122A). The guide coupling housing (250) is configured to be mechanically connected to the system console (123) with at least a portion of the guide coupling housing (250) being configured to fit and be selectively retained within the console connection aperture (148) so that the one or more energy guides (122A) are adjustably and more precisely aligned within the guide coupling housing (250) and relative to the energy from the energy source (124) to receive the energy from the energy source (124).