Rotating Ultrasonic Catheter Waveguide for Vascular Obstruction Disruption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasonic catheters for endovascular procedures, such as atherectomy and thrombectomy, face limitations in effectively disrupting and clearing vascular obstructions due to inadequate energy transmission and debris management.
Innovation Solution
The ultrasonic catheter incorporates a waveguide that transmits ultrasonic energy and is rotated by a motor to enhance disruption, featuring distal anchors for stability, a deployable filter for debris capture, and inflatable balloons to isolate the treatment site, along with curved portions for improved energy transmission and debris management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If ultrasonic energy is transmitted through a straight waveguide, then energy transmission is simple, but disruption effectiveness in transverse direction is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide is rotated by a motor during ultrasonic energy transmission to enable dynamic movement in the transverse direction. This rotational motion enhances the disruption effectiveness of vascular obstructions while maintaining a relatively simple waveguide structure without complex mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide structure incorporates curves or bends that extend in the transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the catheter. This dimensional extension allows the ultrasonic energy to be delivered more effectively to obstructions from multiple angles, improving disruption capability without requiring a completely complex structure.
2Productivity
If no filter is provided, then device structure is simple, but debris capture capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
A filter is provided at the distal end of the waveguide to capture debris before it can travel back through the catheter. This preliminary capture mechanism prevents debris from interfering with the procedure and simplifies the overall system by handling debris containment at the source rather than requiring complex retrieval mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter acts as an intermediary component between the ultrasonic disruption zone and the catheter lumen. It intercepts and captures debris particles generated during the procedure, allowing the main catheter structure to remain relatively simple while still providing effective debris management.
3Reliability
If distal end of waveguide is not anchored, then insertion is easier, but energy transmission stability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
An anchor is provided at the distal end of the waveguide to counteract the forces that would otherwise cause the waveguide to move or shift during ultrasonic energy transmission. This anchor stabilizes the waveguide in position within the catheter, ensuring consistent energy delivery to the obstruction while the overall insertion process remains straightforward.
4Reliability
If balloons are not used, then catheter structure is simpler, but treatment site isolation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Inflatable balloons are provided on the catheter to isolate the treatment site. These flexible membranes can be inflated to create a sealed environment around the obstruction, preventing debris from dispersing into the broader vasculature. The balloons add some structural complexity but maintain relative simplicity through their flexible, collapsible nature.
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 design significantly enhances the disruption and removal of vascular obstructions by ensuring stable energy delivery, effective debris capture, and precise isolation of the treatment site, improving the efficacy of endovascular procedures.
Implementation Method 1
An actuator for vibrating and rotating the wave guide is also provided... an ultrasonic transducer for vibrating the wave guide
Implementation Method 2
a motor for rotating the ultrasonic transducer or the wave guide... rotated by a motor to facilitate enhanced disruption of the concerned obstruction in a transverse direction
Implementation Method 3
barriers, such as inflatable balloons, to cordon off a treatment site... A catheter including a lumen and supporting a first inflatable balloon
Implementation Method 4
distal anchors that help prevent movement of the distal end... an anchor comprises a centering coil... an anchoring cone
Data Source
AI summary
A catheter includes a wave guide for transmitting ultrasonic energy from a transducer, and which is also rotated to facilitate enhanced disruption of the concerned obstruction in a transverse direction. Embodiments of waveguide include distal anchors that help focus the energy transmitted to a treatment site, and may also include a deployable filter that may open distal of the obstruction to capture any dislodged debris. Selectively inflatable balloons may cordon off a treatment site, and the wave guide may comprise a tube that may serve the dual purposes of inflating the balloon(s), as well as to transmit ultrasonic energy to an obstruction. A portion of an ultrasonic catheter may include plural curved portions to space an exposed portion of the wave guide away from the catheter body to enhance the vibratory action provided.