Ultrasonic Orientation Detection in Medical Device Delivery Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional delivery systems for intraluminal medical devices lack the ability to easily position these devices in a specific orientation within body vessels, which is crucial for devices like prosthetic valves and drug-eluting stents that require precise positioning.
Innovation Solution
A delivery system featuring an elongate tubular member with wall portions that reflect ultrasonic waves differently, allowing for precise orientation and positioning of intraluminal medical devices using ultrasound visualization, with a dilator that defines a mounting region for the device and chambers with substances of varying densities to enhance differential reflection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional delivery systems are used, then the delivery system is simple and easy to manufacture, but the ability to position intraluminal medical devices in a specific orientation is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery system incorporates wall portions with different ultrasonic reflection properties at specific locations along the tubular member. These localized differences in reflection characteristics allow ultrasound imaging to distinguish the orientation of the medical device, enabling precise positioning without requiring complex overall system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses differential ultrasonic wave reflection from different wall portions to create a visual orientation indicator in ultrasound images. This is analogous to color changes, where different wall portions 'appear' different in the ultrasound image based on their reflection properties, allowing the operator to determine device orientation.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional delivery systems are used, then the device structure is simple, but the capability for accurate device placement and orientation control is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery system incorporates wall portions with different ultrasonic reflection properties at specific locations along the tubular member. These localized differences in reflection characteristics allow ultrasound imaging to distinguish the orientation of the medical device, enabling precise positioning without requiring complex overall system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery system employs asymmetric wall portions with different ultrasonic reflection properties rather than uniform walls. This asymmetry creates a distinctive ultrasound signature that enables determination of the device's rotational orientation, improving placement precision while maintaining relatively simple system structure.
3Loss of information
If uniform wall structure is used in delivery system, then manufacturing is easier, but ultrasonic wave reflection characteristics for orientation detection are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery system incorporates wall portions with different ultrasonic reflection properties at specific locations along the tubular member. These localized differences in reflection characteristics allow ultrasound imaging to distinguish the orientation of the medical device, enabling precise positioning without requiring complex overall system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the ultrasonic reflection parameter of the tubular member wall at specific portions to create distinguishable orientation markers. By modifying the reflection characteristics (acoustic impedance) of different wall portions, the system enables ultrasound-based orientation detection while maintaining ease of manufacture through relatively simple material or structural modifications.
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
Enables accurate and efficient placement of intraluminal medical devices in desired orientations within body vessels, facilitating precise deployment and reducing the need for costly visualization methods like fluoroscopy.
Implementation Method 1
The tubular member has first and second wall portions, and the second wall portion is adapted to reflect ultrasonic waves differently than the first wall portion
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
A Delivery system including an elongate tubular member (12) that has first (30) and second (32) wall portions with different acoustic impedences. An intraluminal medical device (26) is disposed on a mounting region (24) of a dilator (40) and within the elongate tubular member (12). One of the wall portions of the elongate tubular member (12) is positioned substantially adjacent a functional mechanism of the intraluminal medical device (26). This positioning facilitates placement of the intraluminal medical device within a body vessel in a particular orientation by observing the differential reflection of ultrasonic waves caused by the different acoustic impedences of the first and second wall portions of the elongate tubular member. Rotatation of the delivery system following and/or during such an observation can be employed to achieve a desired orientation of the intraluminal medical device within the body vessel.