Solenoid Reciprocating Tip for Calcified Plaque Atherectomy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current intravascular crossing and atherectomy devices face challenges in treating calcified vessels due to difficulties in crossing and treating hard plaque morphologies, such as chronic total occlusions and calcified end caps.

Innovation Solution

An intravascular apparatus equipped with a solenoid-type reciprocating device at its distal end, powered by an electrical circuit generating series of pulses, which drives a distal tip member with reciprocating action to break up plaque through focused impacts, allowing for effective crossing and removal of calcified plaque.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current CTO devices are used to create a narrow channel through the lesion, then subsequent atherectomy or balloon dilation can expand the vessel lumen, but the devices have difficulties crossing and treating calcified end caps and challenging calcified vessels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to cross calcified vesselsVSAvoideffectiveness across different plaque morphologies

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter employs a dynamic reciprocating tip that moves back and forth in an oscillatory motion pattern. This dynamic movement allows the tip to effectively engage and fracture calcified plaque while maintaining adaptability to different plaque morphologies, resolving the contradiction between reliable calcified vessel crossing and versatility across plaque types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The reciprocating tip performs periodic reciprocating movements within the lesion, creating repeated mechanical impacts that progressively break down calcified plaque. This periodic action enables the device to reliably cross calcified vessels while adapting to varying plaque characteristics through consistent cyclic engagement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If a solenoid-type reciprocating device is used to deliver focused impacts to break up plaque, then the apparatus can effectively treat hard plaque morphologies, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness in breaking up calcified plaqueVSAvoidcomplexity of reciprocating mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical reciprocating mechanisms with an electromagnetic solenoid actuator. The solenoid converts electrical energy directly into linear motion of the tip, achieving reliable plaque fracture while significantly reducing mechanical complexity compared to traditional piston-crank or cam-based reciprocating systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The solenoid-type reciprocating device changes the actuation parameter from mechanical linkage to electromagnetic field control. By controlling the electrical parameters (voltage, frequency, pulse duration) of the solenoid, the system achieves reliable plaque breakdown while maintaining simplicity through electronic control rather than complex mechanical components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 apparatus efficiently breaks up and removes calcified plaque, facilitating blood flow and reducing the complexity of the intravascular crossing and atherectomy procedure by using a solenoid-type reciprocating device to deliver focused impacts and aspirate plaque, thereby improving treatment efficacy.

Implementation Method 1

The coil is electrically coupled to the electrical circuit. The coil defines a coil aperture that is configured to slidably receive the proximal armature section. The proximal armature section is configured to axially reciprocate relative to the coil when the coil is energized by the series of electrical pulses generated by the electrical circuit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic actuation: Electromagnet

Data Source

PatentUS20240315714A1Intravascular crossing and atherectomy apparatuses and methods of use

Publication Date: 2024.09.26 BARD PERIPHERAL VASCULAR INC

AI summary

An intravascular apparatus includes an electrical circuit configured to generate a series of electrical pulses. An intravascular catheter includes an elongate catheter body having a distal end portion and a distal end at a distal terminus of the distal end portion. A solenoid-type reciprocating device is located at the distal end portion of the elongate catheter body. The solenoid-type reciprocating device has a coil and a distal tip member. The coil is electrically coupled to the electrical circuit. The distal tip member has a proximal armature section and a distal working end section. The coil defines a coil aperture that is configured to slidably receive the proximal armature section. The proximal armature section is configured to axially reciprocate relative to the coil when the coil is energized.