Optical Valve Multiplexer for Laser-Driven Catheter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating vascular lesions, such as calcified and fibrous vascular lesions, face challenges in effectively delivering high-energy pulses to multiple areas using optical fibers, which are limited by physical damage concerns and nonlinear processes like Stimulated Brillouin Scattering, and often require multiple dedicated laser sources, making them inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A catheter system that multiplexes a single light source into multiple fiber optic channels using a multiplexer with optical valves, a polarizing beam splitter, and a half-wave plate, allowing for simultaneous or sequential delivery of light energy to multiple areas within a blood vessel, thereby increasing energy delivery without exceeding safe energy levels in any single fiber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple dedicated laser sources are used to treat multiple vascular lesions, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple laser sources into a single laser source that sequentially delivers energy pulses to multiple optical fibers. The single laser source is controlled by a controller that directs energy to different fibers at different times, achieving the treatment effectiveness of multiple sources while reducing device complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The single laser source is designed to perform multiple functions by sequentially coupling energy to different optical fibers. The laser source can treat multiple vascular lesions through different fibers, making it a universal treatment device that replaces what would traditionally require multiple dedicated sources.
2Productivity
If high energy pulses are delivered to multiple optical fibers simultaneously, then treatment coverage is improved, but fiber damage risk increases due to Stimulated Brillouin Scattering
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by sequentially delivering energy pulses to different optical fibers rather than simultaneously. The controller manages the timing and sequence of energy delivery to each fiber, allowing high total energy delivery while keeping individual fiber exposure within safe limits and avoiding Stimulated Brillouin Scattering.
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 approach enables efficient treatment of multiple vascular lesions with a single insertion of the catheter, enhancing vessel patency and optimizing therapy delivery by increasing the energy that can be safely applied to the treatment site, reducing the need for multiple laser sources and minimizing damage to optical fibers.
Implementation Method 1
The multiplexer includes a system of optical valves arranged in a linear sequence within the multiplexer. In certain embodiments, the system of optical valves includes a polarizing beam splitter.
Implementation Method 2
In some embodiments, the system of optical valves includes a half-wave plate. In various embodiments, the half-wave plate is configured to rotate between 0 and 90 degrees.
Implementation Method 3
Intravascular Lithotripsy utilizes a combination of pressure waves and bubble dynamics that are generated intravascularly in a fluid-filled balloon catheter. In particular, during an Intravascular Lithotripsy treatment, a high energy source is used to generate plasma and ultimately pressure waves
Data Source
AI summary
A catheter system for treating a vascular lesion within or adjacent to a vessel wall within a body of a patient includes a single light source that generates light energy, a first light guide and a second light guide, and a multiplexer. The first light guide and the second light guide are each configured to selectively receive light energy from the light source. The multiplexer receives the light energy from the light source in the form of a source beam and selectively directs the light energy from the light source in the form of individual guide beams to each of the first light guide and the second light guide. The multiplexer includes a system of optical valves arranged in a linear sequence within the multiplexer. The system of optical valves includes an individual valve that receives the light energy from the light source.