Solenoid Valve Pulse Control for Cryogenic Balloon Catheter Inflation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating atherosclerotic vasculature, such as percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, face challenges with restenosis and hyperplasia due to inadequate control over balloon inflation pressure and temperature during cryogenic cooling, leading to inefficient use of cooling fluids and potential tissue injury.
Innovation Solution
The use of measured solenoid valve performance characteristics to determine a minimum command pulse width for cryogenic cooling fluid flow, allowing for controlled and gradual changes in pressure and temperature profiles, reducing fluid venting and enhancing treatment precision, enabling more efficient cryogenic cooling and dilation of blood vessels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional balloon inflation methods are used, then balloon dilation can be achieved, but control over inflation pressure and temperature is inadequate leading to tissue injury and inefficient cooling fluid use
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates pressure sensors and temperature sensors that provide real-time feedback to the control system. The pressure sensor monitors balloon inflation pressure and the temperature sensor monitors tissue temperature, allowing the controller to adjust cooling fluid flow and inflation rate dynamically to maintain precise control and prevent tissue injury
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical control of balloon inflation with an automated electronic control system that uses sensors and algorithms to precisely regulate inflation pressure and cooling fluid delivery, achieving superior control precision compared to conventional mechanical methods
2Productivity
If rapid balloon inflation is used to achieve quick dilation, then treatment time is reduced, but control over inflation rate is lost leading to excessive pressure and tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the inflation rate based on real-time feedback from pressure sensors and pre-programmed inflation profiles. The controller can accelerate inflation when safe and decelerate or pause when approaching target pressure, achieving both speed and precision in balloon dilation
Solution Approach 2:
The inflation process is divided into multiple phases with different inflation rates and cooling fluid delivery patterns. The system uses periodic cycles of inflation and cooling fluid delivery to achieve gradual, controlled dilation while maintaining tissue temperature within safe ranges
3Temperature
If excessive cooling fluid is delivered to ensure adequate cooling, then tissue cooling is effective, but fluid waste increases and cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor provides real-time feedback on tissue temperature, allowing the controller to precisely regulate cooling fluid flow. The system delivers cooling fluid only when and where needed to maintain target temperature, avoiding excessive fluid delivery and waste
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the flow rate and temperature of cooling fluid based on real-time measurements of tissue temperature and balloon pressure. This adaptive parameter adjustment ensures adequate cooling effectiveness while minimizing cooling fluid consumption
4Speed
If high inflation pressure is used to achieve rapid dilation, then balloon expansion speed increases, but control over pressure is lost causing tissue injury
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor provides continuous feedback on balloon inflation pressure to the controller, which adjusts the inflation rate in real-time. This closed-loop control prevents pressure from exceeding safe limits while maintaining rapid expansion when appropriate
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic pressure regulation with multiple inflation phases, allowing rapid pressure increase when safe and automatic deceleration when approaching target pressure or when tissue resistance increases, achieving both speed and safety in balloon dilation
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 allows for precise control over balloon inflation and cooling, reducing tissue injury and improving treatment efficacy by minimizing fluid waste and optimizing the use of cryogenic fluids, thereby addressing the limitations of existing methods in preventing restenosis and hyperplasia.
Implementation Method 1
a cooled balloon is controllably inflated to one or more intermediate pressures between a non-inflated configuration and a fully inflated, vessel dilating configuration
Implementation Method 2
cooling fluid flow control valve... at least a portion of the cooling fluid vaporizes
Implementation Method 3
measured solenoid valve performance characteristics to determine a minimum command pulse width for cryogenic cooling fluid flow
Implementation Method 4
a cooled balloon is controllably inflated to one or more intermediate pressures between a non-inflated configuration and a fully inflated, vessel dilating configuration
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, and methods efficiently dilate and/or cool blood vessels and other body tissues. Controlled cooling with balloon catheters and other probes may be effected by a change in phase of a cryogenic fluid, often after measuring a minimum pulse width for actuating an individual solenoid valve along the cooling fluid path, with the measured pulse width allowing gradual inflation of a balloon without excessive venting of cooling fluid.