Optical Fiber Coating for Medical Device Lumens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices such as catheters, introducers, needles, stent frames, and stent grafts lack effective methods to apply coatings to their endolumenal surfaces, which are essential for inhibiting adverse physiological reactions like restenosis, as current techniques primarily focus on exterior coatings and do not address the interior surface chemistry.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus using an optical fiber to deliver radiation within the lumen of medical devices, allowing for the application of photo-activated coatings to the endolumenal walls by positioning the fiber, supplying radiation, and controlling its movement to activate the coating material, ensuring uniform distribution and desired thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If coating methods are applied to exterior surfaces of medical devices, then surface chemistry is modified to control physical interaction with body structures and fluids, but the interior endolumenal surfaces remain uncoated and unable to inhibit adverse physiological reactions
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber is positioned within the lumen of the medical device, nesting the coating application system inside the device structure. This allows the coating to be applied to the endolumenal surface from the interior, transforming the previously inaccessible surface into a treatable area without requiring external access or complex disassembly procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical coating methods (such as external spraying or dipping) with a photo-activated chemical system. The optical fiber delivers light energy to activate the coating material locally on the endolumenal surface, eliminating the need for complex mechanical coating apparatus and enabling precise, controlled coating application
2Manufacturing precision
If photo-activated coating material is applied to endolumenal walls, then targeted coating is achieved, but precise control of radiation delivery and coating activation is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by controlling the wavelength and intensity of light delivered through the optical fiber to precisely activate the photo-activated coating material. By adjusting these optical parameters, the coating can be activated selectively at specific locations and depths, enabling precise control over coating thickness and distribution without requiring complex mechanical positioning systems
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fiber serves as an intermediary that delivers light energy from an external source to the coating material on the endolumenal surface. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system by separating the radiation source from the coating application site, allowing independent optimization of the light source and coating material while achieving precise spatial control through the fiber's positioning
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
This method enables targeted and controlled application of coatings to the endolumenal surfaces, effectively inhibiting adverse reactions and improving the surface chemistry of medical devices, such as catheters and stent frames, by ensuring the interior surfaces are treated with therapeutic substances.
Implementation Method 1
The optical fiber must be capable of carrying radiation having a suitable wavelength to interact with a chemical agent of the coating material to be applied to the endolumenal wall
Data Source
AI summary
A coating can be applied to an endolumenal wall of a medical device by positioning an optical fiber within the lumen, providing a photo-activated chemical to contact the endolumenal wall, supplying the optical fiber with radiation capable of activating the chemical within the lumen, and withdrawing the optical fiber from the lumen at a controlled rate while the radiation is being emitted from the optical fiber to activate the chemical in close proximity to the endolumenal wall.