Segmented Intraluminal Imaging Assembly for Flexible Vascular Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Intraluminal imaging devices face challenges in traversing the human body due to rigid imaging assemblies, which increase the likelihood of kinking when steered through vasculature.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a flexible intraluminal imaging system with electrical wires extending between electronic controllers and transducers, supported by a more flexible tubular member, reduces the rigid length of the imaging assembly, allowing for more efficient navigation through the body with reduced kinking risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a single rigid substrate is used to mount controllers and transducers, then structural support is improved, but flexibility and kinking resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging assembly is segmented into separate components: controllers mounted on a first flexible substrate, transducers mounted on a second flexible substrate, and these substrates are connected via a flexible circuit board with electrical traces. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for flexibility while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible substrates that can dynamically bend and conform to the curvature of blood vessels. The flexible circuit board with serpentine electrical traces allows the assembly to flex without breaking electrical connections, enabling the device to adapt to varying vascular geometries during navigation.
2Device complexity
If controllers and transducers are integrated on a single substrate, then device complexity is reduced, but rigidity increases causing kinking
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates controllers and transducers onto different flexible substrates connected by a flexible circuit board. This segmentation reduces the rigid length by eliminating the need for a single continuous rigid substrate, thereby reducing kinking risk while maintaining functional integration through electrical connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible substrates and a flexible circuit board with thin-film electrical traces to create a compliant imaging assembly. These flexible components can bend and flex without breaking, allowing the device to navigate tortuous vasculature without kinking while maintaining electrical connectivity between controllers and transducers.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a long rigid support member extends under both controllers and transducers, then structural stability is improved, but navigation through tortuous vasculature becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into multiple flexible substrates rather than a single long rigid support. The first flexible substrate supports controllers, the second flexible substrate supports transducers, and they are connected by a flexible circuit board. This segmentation provides sufficient local stability while allowing global flexibility for navigation.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible substrates and circuit board create a dynamically adaptable support structure that can bend and conform to vascular curvature. This dynamic flexibility allows the device to navigate tortuous vasculature efficiently while maintaining structural stability at each segment to support the electronic components.
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 design enables the intravascular device to traverse tortuous vasculature more efficiently and with less risk of kinking, improving the imaging process by maintaining contact with vessel tissue.
Implementation Method 1
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 (such as the various layers of the vessel wall), red blood cells, and other features of interest. Echoes from the reflected waves are received by the transducer
Data Source
AI summary
An intraluminal imaging device includes a flexible elongate member configured to be inserted into a lumen within a body of a patient, the flexible elongate member comprising a longitudinal axis; an imaging assembly coupled to the flexible elongate member, the imaging assembly comprising: a plurality of ultrasound transducer elements disposed around the longitudinal axis of the flexible elongate member; a plurality of controllers configured to control the plurality of ultrasound transducer elements to obtain imaging data associated with the lumen; and a plurality of electrical wires extending between the plurality of the ultrasound transducer elements and the plurality of controllers and configured to facilitate communication between the plurality of the ultrasound transducer elements and the plurality of controllers.