UV Ring-Beam Arterial Dilation for Low-Trauma Clot Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating occlusive disorders in tubular anatomical structures, such as arteries, often cause damage to the vessel wall and result in suboptimal patient recovery due to mechanical friction and endothelial injury during clot extraction.
Innovation Solution
A method using an optical fiber to deliver UV laser light in the form of an annular beam to stimulate the release of nitric oxide from smooth muscle cells, minimizing mechanical contact and inducing radial expansion of the tubular structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mechanical extraction methods (aspiration, stentriever) are used to remove clots, then clot removal efficiency is improved, but endothelial damage and vessel wall injury increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using UV laser irradiation to dissolve the thrombus before mechanical extraction. The laser energy photolyzes nitrites in the thrombus to release nitric oxide, which chemically dissolves the clot and reduces its adhesion to the vessel wall. This preliminary chemical dissolution minimizes mechanical friction and endothelial damage during subsequent extraction operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical thrombus dissolution methods (aspiration, stentriever) with a photophysical/chemical mechanism. UV laser light induces photolysis of nitrites to generate nitric oxide, which chemically dissociates the thrombus from the vessel wall through biochemical reactions rather than mechanical force, thereby eliminating the harmful mechanical friction and endothelial injury.
2Productivity
If high-intensity pulsed lasers are used to disrupt thrombus by ablation or photoacoustic shock, then thrombus removal is achieved, but vessel wall damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the key parameter of laser wavelength from conventional high-intensity pulsed wavelengths to ultraviolet wavelengths (300-400 nm). This parameter change enables selective photolysis of nitrites in the thrombus without causing thermal damage or ablation of the vessel wall. The UV light is absorbed specifically by nitrites, converting them to nitric oxide, while the vessel wall remains unaffected due to its lower absorption at these wavelengths.
3Productivity
If multiple passes of extraction are performed to improve removal efficiency, then complete clot removal is achieved, but mechanical interaction with vessel wall increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing UV laser irradiation before mechanical extraction to chemically dissolve the thrombus. This reduces the thrombus's adhesion to the vessel wall and decreases friction during extraction, allowing for more efficient removal with fewer passes and reduced mechanical trauma to the endothelium.
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 UV laser-induced dilation reduces friction and chemical binding during clot extraction, minimizing damage to the arterial wall and enhancing patient recovery by facilitating efficient clot removal with reduced mechanical stress.
Implementation Method 1
ultraviolet (UV) laser light to photophysically stimulate release of nitric oxide from smooth muscle cells lining the tubular anatomical structure
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a method and device for dilating a tubular anatomical structure. The device and method can be useful for extracting a blood clot in an artery of a mammal by concentrically irradiating an inner wall of the occluded artery using an ultraviolet (UV) laser beam delivered by an optical fiber. Dilation results from photophysical production and release of nitric oxide from the cells lining the arterial wall when UV laser light is projected as a ring beam onto the inner arterial wall.