Optical Probe Abnormality Detection in Intravascular Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging apparatuses, such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and optical frequency domain imaging (OFDI), face challenges during radial operations within blood vessels due to potential injuries caused by catheter bending or entrapment, leading to difficulties in transmitting rotation torque and maintaining the optical fiber's integrity, which can result in damage and vessel injury.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes an optical probe unit with a transmitting and receiving unit that continuously transmits and receives light, generating cross-sectional images based on interference signals, and features a monitoring system to detect abnormalities such as intensity changes or positional shifts in the signals, allowing for timely intervention to prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the catheter is bent extremely or trapped by a stent during radial operation, then the optical probe unit may be damaged or bent inside the blood vessel, but the transmitting and receiving unit can still perform light transmission and reception
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring unit continuously monitors the operational state of the transmitting and receiving unit before damage occurs. By detecting abnormalities in rotation torque transmission and optical fiber coil formation during radial operation, the system can identify potential dangers in advance and alert the operator to adjust the catheter position or operation parameters, preventing catheter damage and vessel injury before they happen.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a monitoring unit that provides real-time feedback on the operational state of the transmitting and receiving unit. When abnormal conditions are detected (such as failure to transmit rotation torque or optical fiber coiling), the monitoring unit generates alerts that feed back to the operator, enabling immediate corrective action to prevent catheter damage and blood vessel injury.
2Productivity
If pull-back is performed in a state where the transmitting and receiving unit and catheter are stacked at the bent portion or stent, then a pulling force is added to the catheter, but the imaging function must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
Before performing pull-back operations, the monitoring unit checks the operational state of the transmitting and receiving unit. If the unit is detected to be stacked at a bent portion or stent, the system alerts the operator in advance, allowing them to adjust the catheter position or operation parameters before applying pulling force, thereby preventing catheter damage while maintaining imaging capability.
Solution Approach 2:
During pull-back operations, the monitoring unit continuously monitors for abnormal conditions such as the transmitting and receiving unit being stacked at bent portions or stents. When such conditions are detected, the system provides real-time feedback to the operator, enabling immediate adjustment of pull-back speed or catheter positioning to prevent structural damage while maintaining imaging function.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the optical probe unit is used for minimal invasive diagnosis, then patient safety is improved, but the risk of catheter bending and entrapment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring unit continuously monitors the operational state of the transmitting and receiving unit during minimal invasive procedures. By detecting abnormalities such as rotation torque transmission failure or optical fiber coiling before they lead to catheter damage, the system enables preventive action to maintain catheter operation stability and prevent patient injury throughout the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback on the operational stability of the catheter during minimal invasive diagnosis. When the monitoring unit detects abnormal conditions that could lead to catheter bending or entrapment, it alerts the operator immediately, allowing for corrective action to maintain both catheter reliability and patient safety throughout the procedure.
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 solution enables safer visualization of cross-sectional images by promptly detecting and addressing potential issues with the optical probe unit, reducing the risk of injury to the blood vessel and ensuring minimal invasiveness during procedures.
Implementation Method 1
reflected light from the body cavity is obtained at the transmitting and receiving unit
Implementation Method 2
cross-sectional image in the longitudinal direction of the body cavity is generated based on interference signal generated by the obtained reflected light
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging apparatus generates a cross-sectional image in the longitudinal direction inside a body cavity (e.g., blood vessel) by using an interference signal. The apparatus includes an obtaining unit for obtaining line data, and a judgment unit for judging whether or not the optical probe unit operates in a normal state based on existence or non-existence of intensity change in at least a portion of signals within the obtained line date, based on existence or non-existence of change of position in the depth direction in which the portion of signals appear, or based on change quantity per unit time with respect to the position in the depth direction in which the portion in the depth direction of signals appear.