Segmental Vascular Ablation via Rotating Coated Wire
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vascular treatment devices for varicose veins require complex manual control to simultaneously manage mechanical ablation, chemical infusion, and catheter withdrawal, leading to increased cognitive load and potential errors.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a sheath with a working lumen and a wire extending through it, where the distal wire end is designed to mechanically treat the vessel wall through rotation and is coated with a chemical agent for chemical treatment, allowing for segmental mechanical or mechanochemical ablation without the need for simultaneous catheter withdrawal and drug infusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual control is used to simultaneously manage mechanical ablation, chemical infusion, and catheter withdrawal, then treatment can be performed, but operator cognitive load increases and potential for errors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple treatment functions (mechanical ablation, chemical infusion, and catheter withdrawal) into a single integrated device. The catheter system delivers both mechanical energy (through the ablation element) and chemical agents (through the same catheter lumen) while being withdrawn as one unit, eliminating the need for separate manual control of multiple components and reducing operator cognitive load.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both a delivery vehicle for mechanical ablation and a conduit for chemical infusion simultaneously. This universal design allows a single device to perform multiple treatment functions that would otherwise require separate devices and coordinated manual operation.
2Reliability
If simultaneous catheter withdrawal and drug infusion are performed manually, then treatment is completed, but potential for errors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is pre-loaded with the chemical agent reservoir and the ablation element is pre-positioned within the catheter before insertion. This preliminary preparation ensures that the mechanical ablation and chemical infusion are pre-coordinated, allowing them to occur simultaneously in a controlled manner during withdrawal, reducing the potential for operational errors.
3Manufacturing precision
If segmental ablation is performed with a coated wire, then treatment efficacy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wire is coated with chemical agent specifically at the distal end portion that contacts the vessel wall during ablation. This localized coating application ensures that the chemical agent is delivered precisely where mechanical ablation occurs, creating a focused treatment segment with improved precision without requiring complex coating systems along the entire wire length.
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 system simplifies the vascular treatment process by allowing mechanical and chemical treatment of varicose veins in a segmental manner, reducing operator complexity and improving treatment efficacy by ensuring consistent delivery of the sclerosant and mechanical abrasion.
Implementation Method 1
The movement may impart a frictional force between the distal wire end and the vessel wall
Implementation Method 2
The catheter has a rotating tip that mechanically agitates (or abrades, or ablates) the vein's inner lining
Implementation Method 3
the distal wire end is configured to chemically treat the vessel wall via release of the chemical agent from the distal wire end
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure includes a controller and a sheath having an open proximal sheath end coupled to the controller, an open distal sheath end configured for insertion into a vascular system of a patient, and a working lumen extending through the sheath. The system may include a wire extending from the controller through the working lumen, the wire having a distal wire end configured to mechanically treat a vessel wall of a treatment segment, a length of the distal wire end defining a length of the treatment segment. The working lumen may be configured to slidably receive the wire and allow for a passage of a fluid about the wire therethrough to chemically treat the treatment segment. When the system receives a first input the distal wire end may mechanically treat the vessel wall. When the system receives a second input and/or a third input, the system may deliver the fluid.