Rolled Flexible Ultrasound Substrate for Small-Vessel Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manufacturing intravascular ultrasound imaging devices that efficiently traverse small diameter vasculature is challenging due to their rigid imaging assembly, which increases the likelihood of kinking and requires a large diameter.
Innovation Solution
A flexible substrate with integrated transducer and control regions is rolled around a support member, minimizing the stiff length and overall diameter of the imaging assembly, facilitating navigation through small anatomical lumens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid imaging assembly is used, then structural stability is improved, but the device diameter increases and kinking likelihood increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible substrate that can be rolled into a compact cylindrical imaging assembly. This flexible construction allows the device to maintain structural integrity while achieving a small diameter profile, eliminating the need for rigid housings that would increase the device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging assembly is constructed by rolling the flexible substrate containing transducers and electronics into a nested cylindrical configuration. This nesting approach packs multiple functional layers (transducers, control circuits, interconnects) into a compact structure, minimizing the overall device diameter while maintaining structural stability.
2Measurement precision
If transducer elements are placed close together, then imaging resolution is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes flexible substrate technology that allows for precise positioning of transducer elements through controlled deformation and rolling. The flexibility enables fine-tuning of element spacing and alignment after initial fabrication, reducing the stringency of manufacturing precision requirements while achieving high imaging resolution.
3Length of moving object
If the imaging assembly is made compact, then navigation through small vessels is facilitated, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates transducers, control circuits, interconnect structures, and support elements onto a single flexible substrate. This merging of multiple functional components into one unified structure simplifies the overall assembly process, as the integrated substrate can be rolled into the final compact configuration without requiring complex assembly of separate parts.
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 flexible substrate design allows for efficient assembly and operation of intravascular devices, reducing the risk of kinking and enabling access to small diameter vasculature while maintaining image quality.
Implementation Method 1
A flexible substrate with integrated transducer and control regions is rolled around a support member, minimizing the stiff length and overall diameter of the imaging assembly
Implementation Method 2
The transducers emit ultrasonic energy in order to create an image of the vessel of interest. Ultrasonic waves are partially reflected by discontinuities arising from tissue structures
Data Source
AI summary
An intraluminal ultrasound imaging device includes a flexible elongate member configured to be inserted into a body lumen of a patient, the flexible elongate member comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion. The device includes an ultrasound scanner assembly disposed at the distal portion of the flexible elongate member. The ultrasound scanner assembly includes a flexible substrate comprising a longitudinal width extending from an inner edge to an outer edge; a control region embedded in the flexible substrate; a transducer region embedded in the flexible substrate; and a window region disposed between the outer edge of the flexible substrate and the transducer region, and wherein the window region, the transducer region, and the control region are radially arranged relative to one another. Associated devices, systems, and methods are also described.