U.S. patent application number 17/620450 was filed with the patent office on 2022-06-30 for method and device for scanning blood vessels.
This patent application is currently assigned to DOTTER INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is DOTTER INC.. Invention is credited to Sogi CHOI, Jongwoo HAN, Hungil KIM, Jiyoon LEE.
Application Number | 20220202293 17/620450 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006258870 |
Filed Date | 2022-06-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220202293 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIM; Hungil ; et
al. |
June 30, 2022 |
Method And Device For Scanning Blood Vessels
Abstract
Disclosed is a method of scanning a blood vessel according to
several exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The method
may include: inserting a first catheter for applying a fluorescent
material into the blood vessel; applying the fluorescent material
to a target point in the blood vessel using the first catheter;
inserting a second catheter for scanning the blood vessel into the
blood vessel after removing the first catheter from the blood
vessel; and acquiring microstructure information and biochemical
information of the blood vessel by using the second catheter after
the second catheter is inserted into the blood vessel.
Inventors: |
KIM; Hungil; (Incheon,
KR) ; CHOI; Sogi; (Incheon, KR) ; HAN;
Jongwoo; (Incheon, KR) ; LEE; Jiyoon;
(Incheon, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DOTTER INC. |
Incheon |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
DOTTER INC.
Incheon
KR
DOTTER INC.
Incheon
KR
|
Family ID: |
1000006258870 |
Appl. No.: |
17/620450 |
Filed: |
June 4, 2020 |
PCT Filed: |
June 4, 2020 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR2020/007244 |
371 Date: |
December 17, 2021 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 5/0071 20130101;
A61B 5/0066 20130101; A61M 25/0043 20130101; A61M 25/10 20130101;
A61M 2025/1052 20130101; A61B 5/6852 20130101; A61B 5/6853
20130101; A61M 2025/0057 20130101; A61M 2205/0238 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 5/00 20060101
A61B005/00; A61M 25/00 20060101 A61M025/00; A61M 25/10 20060101
A61M025/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 28, 2019 |
KR |
10-2019-0134617 |
Claims
1. A method of scanning a blood vessel comprising: for applying a
fluorescent material into the blood vessel, inserting a first
catheter comprising a fluorescent material transfer tube having at
least one micro-hole in a first region in a horizontal direction
and transferring the fluorescent material to the at least one
micro-hole so that the fluorescent material is discharged from the
at least one micro-hole; applying the fluorescent material to a
target point in the blood vessel using the first catheter;
inserting a second catheter for scanning the blood vessel into the
blood vessel after removing the first catheter from the blood
vessel; and acquiring microstructure information and biochemical
information of the blood vessel by using the second catheter after
the second catheter is inserted into the blood vessel.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first catheter has an
expandable balloon coated with the fluorescent material at a distal
end.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the applying of the fluorescent
material to the target point in the blood vessel using the first
catheter comprises: expanding the expandable balloon of the first
catheter so that the expandable balloon contacts an inner wall of
the blood vessel at the target point and the fluorescent material
is applied to the inner wall of the blood vessel at the target
point.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first catheter further
comprises: a balloon; and a fluid transfer tube having the balloon
at a distal end and transferring a fluid to the balloon so that the
balloon is expandable.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the applying of the fluorescent
material to the target point in the blood vessel using the first
catheter comprises: expanding the balloon to block a region of the
blood vessel corresponding to the target point in the blood vessel;
and discharging the fluorescent material to an outside of the
fluorescent material transfer tube through the at least one micro
hole when the balloon is expanded.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the acquiring of the
microstructure information and the biochemical information of the
blood vessel by using the second catheter after the second catheter
is inserted into the blood vessel comprises: acquiring an optical
coherence tomography image together with a near-infrared
fluorescence image of the target point using the second
catheter.
7. Apparatus for scanning blood vessel comprising: a first catheter
comprising a fluorescent material transfer tube having at least one
micro-hole in a first region in a horizontal direction and
transferring the fluorescent material to the at least one
micro-hole so that the fluorescent material is discharged from the
at least one micro-hole, for applying a fluorescent material to a
target point in the blood vessel; a second catheter for scanning
the target point in the blood vessel to which the fluorescent
material is applied; a driving unit for rotating and moving the
first catheter or the second catheter; and a data analysis unit
that acquires microstructure information and biochemical
information of the blood vessel based on scanning data scanned by
the second catheter.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first catheter has an
expandable balloon coated with the fluorescent material at a distal
end.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising: a pressure control
unit coupled to a proximal end of the first catheter and injecting
a fluid for expanding the expandable balloon into the expandable
balloon so that the expandable balloon contacts an inner wall of
the blood vessel at the target point so that the fluorescent
material is applied to the inner wall of the blood vessel at the
target point.
10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first catheter comprises:
a balloon; and a fluid transfer tube having the balloon at a distal
end and transferring a fluid to the balloon so that the balloon is
expandable.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising: a pressure
control unit coupled to a proximal end of the first catheter and
injecting a fluid for expanding the balloon into the balloon for
blocking a region of the blood vessel corresponding to the target
point in the blood vessel; and a fluorescent material injection
port provided at proximal portion of the fluorescent material
transfer tube and into which the fluorescent material is
injected.
12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the microstructure
information comprises optical coherence tomography images, and
wherein the biochemical information comprises near-infrared
fluorescence images.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus
for scanning a blood vessel, and more particularly, to a method and
an apparatus for scanning a blood vessel that acquire
microstructure information and biochemical information of a blood
vessel.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] As technologies of vascular imaging catheters used to
diagnose cardiovascular diseases in the related art, intravascular
ultrasonography, intravascular near-infrared imaging, and
intravascular optical coherence tomography are commercially
available and used in clinical practice.
[0003] The intravascular ultrasonography is a technology for
acquiring tomography images of a blood vessel by inserting a device
in the form of a catheter into the blood vessel, and the
intravascular ultrasonography is most widely used as an
intravascular imaging technology in hospitals. Because the
intravascular ultrasonography uses ultrasound, the resolution is as
low as about 100 .mu.m, the contrast is also low, and the image
acquisition speed is as low as about 30 seconds.
[0004] The intravascular near-infrared imaging is a commercially
available technology that detects the presence of lipid in an inner
wall of a blood vessel by a spectroscopic method using
near-infrared rays. Recently, the intravascular near-infrared
imaging is being developed using a single catheter combined with
intravascular ultrasonography.
[0005] Because the near-infrared imaging uses light, there is a
problem in that the sensitivity of signals is not constant
depending on the presence or absence of blood in the blood vessel,
the resolution is low, and the image acquisition speed is also low
because the intravascular ultrasonography is also performed.
[0006] Meanwhile, the intravascular optical coherence tomography
refers to a technology for acquiring tomography images of the blood
vessel by inserting a device in the form of a catheter into the
blood vessel, like the intravascular ultrasonography, providing
light to the blood vessel, and analyzing reflected light.
[0007] The intravascular optical coherence tomography, which was
initially developed, had a low speed at an intravascular ultrasonic
level, and thus could not be widely used. However,
second-generation intravascular optical coherence tomography, which
has been developed recently, has a speed improved by 10 times or
higher and thus may capture images in the blood vessel within
several seconds.
[0008] Since the intravascular optical coherence tomography also
uses light, this technology acquires images by performing flushing
with a solution made by mixing a saline solution and a vascular
contrast agent in order to minimize an influence of the blood. The
intravascular optical coherence tomography has the resolution
(.about.10 .mu.m) improved by about 10 times in comparison with the
intravascular ultrasonography, and as a result, the intravascular
optical coherence tomography may advantageously detect a minute
change in the blood vessel.
[0009] Meanwhile, recently, a multifunctional imaging technology is
being developed at a laboratory level, in which the technologies in
the related art are combined or a fluorescence imaging technology
is further added to the technologies in the related art in order to
more accurately diagnose an abnormality of the blood vessel. [0010]
Document of Related Art: Korean Patent Application Laid-Open No.
10-2016-0027441
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the
background art, and an object of the present disclosure is to
provide a method and an apparatus for scanning a blood vessel.
[0012] Technical problems of the present disclosure are not limited
to the aforementioned technical problems, and other technical
problems, which are not mentioned above, may be clearly understood
by those skilled in the art from the following descriptions.
[0013] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, several
exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method of
scanning a blood vessel. The method may include: inserting a first
catheter for applying a fluorescent material into the blood vessel;
applying the fluorescent material to a target point in the blood
vessel using the first catheter; inserting a second catheter for
scanning the blood vessel into the blood vessel after removing the
first catheter from the blood vessel; and acquiring microstructure
information and biochemical information of the blood vessel by
using the second catheter after the second catheter is inserted
into the blood vessel.
[0014] The first catheter may have an expandable balloon coated
with the fluorescent material at a distal end.
[0015] The applying of the fluorescent material to the target point
in the blood vessel using the first catheter may include expanding
the expandable balloon of the first catheter so that the expandable
balloon contacts an inner wall of the blood vessel at the target
point and the fluorescent material is applied to the inner wall of
the blood vessel at the target point.
[0016] The first catheter may include: a balloon; a fluid transfer
tube having the balloon at a distal end and transferring a fluid to
the balloon so that the balloon is expandable; and a fluorescent
material transfer tube having at least one micro-hole in a first
region in a horizontal direction and transferring the fluorescent
material to the at least one micro-hole so that the fluorescent
material is discharged from the at least one micro-hole.
[0017] The applying of the fluorescent material to the target point
in the blood vessel using the first catheter may include: expanding
the balloon to block a region of the blood vessel corresponding to
the target point in the blood vessel; and discharging the
fluorescent material to an outside of the fluorescent material
transfer tube through the at least one micro hole when the balloon
is expanded.
[0018] The acquiring of the microstructure information and the
biochemical information of the blood vessel by using the second
catheter after the second catheter is inserted into the blood
vessel may include acquiring an optical coherence tomography image
together with a near-infrared fluorescence image of the target
point using the second catheter.
[0019] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, several
exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide an
apparatus for scanning a blood vessel. The apparatus may include: a
first catheter for applying a fluorescent material to a target
point in the blood vessel; a second catheter for scanning the
target point in the blood vessel to which the fluorescent material
is applied; a driving unit for rotating and moving the first
catheter or the second catheter; and a data analysis unit that
acquires microstructure information and biochemical information of
the blood vessel based on scanning data scanned by the second
catheter.
[0020] The first catheter may have an expandable balloon coated
with the fluorescent material at a distal end.
[0021] The apparatus may further include a pressure control unit
coupled to a proximal end of the first catheter and injecting a
fluid for expanding the expandable balloon into the expandable
balloon so that the expandable balloon contacts an inner wall of
the blood vessel at the target point so that the fluorescent
material is applied to the inner wall of the blood vessel at the
target point.
[0022] The first catheter may include: a balloon; a fluid transfer
tube having the balloon at a distal end and transferring a fluid to
the balloon so that the balloon is expandable; and a fluorescent
material transfer tube having at least one micro-hole in a first
region in a horizontal direction and transferring the fluorescent
material to the at least one micro-hole so that the fluorescent
material is discharged from the at least one micro-hole.
[0023] The apparatus may further include: a pressure control unit
coupled to a proximal end of the first catheter and injecting a
fluid for expanding the balloon into the balloon for blocking a
region of the blood vessel corresponding to the target point in the
blood vessel; and a fluorescent material injection port provided at
a proximal portion of the fluorescent material transfer tube and
into which the fluorescent material is injected.
[0024] The microstructure information may include optical coherence
tomography images, and the biochemical information may include
near-infrared fluorescence images.
[0025] The technical solutions obtained by the present disclosure
are not limited to the aforementioned technical solutions, and
other technical solutions, which are not mentioned above, will be
clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following
description.
[0026] The present disclosure may provide the method and the
apparatus for scanning a blood vessel, which are capable of
shortening the time required to acquire the image of the blood
vessel and the time required to diagnose an abnormality of the
blood vessel.
[0027] The effects obtained by the present disclosure are not
limited to the aforementioned effects, and other effects, which are
not mentioned above, will be clearly understood by those skilled in
the art from the following description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] Various aspects will be described with reference to the
drawings, in which similar reference numerals are used to refer to
similar components. In the following examples, for purposes of
explanation, multiple specific details are set forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of one or more aspects. However,
it will be apparent that such aspect(s) may be practiced without
the specific details.
[0029] FIG. 1 is a block configuration view illustrating an
apparatus for scanning a blood vessel according to several
exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a method
of scanning a blood vessel according to the several exemplary
embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0031] FIG. 3 is a view for explaining a first catheter according
to the several exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0032] FIG. 4 is a view for explaining an example of a method
applying a fluorescent material to a target point in a blood vessel
by the first catheter according to the several exemplary
embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0033] FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a first catheter according
to several other exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0034] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the first catheter
illustrated in FIG. 5 taken along line A-A'.
[0035] FIG. 7 is a view for explaining a first catheter according
to several other exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0036] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the first catheter
illustrated in FIG. 7 taken along line B-B'.
[0037] FIG. 9 is a view for explaining an example of a method
applying a fluorescent material to a target point in a blood vessel
by a first catheter according to the several other exemplary
embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0038] FIG. 10 is a view for explaining the first catheter
according to the present disclosure.
[0039] FIG. 11 is a view for explaining an example of a method of
acquiring microstructure information and biochemical information of
a blood vessel by a second catheter according to several exemplary
embodiments of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0040] Various exemplary embodiments and/or various aspects will be
disclosed with reference to the drawings. In the following
descriptions, for explanation, multiple specific details are
disclosed in order to provide overall understandings of one or more
aspects. However, it will also be appreciated by those skilled in
the art that this aspect(s) may be practiced without these specific
details. The following descriptions and the accompanying drawings
are provided for disclosing specific exemplary aspects of the one
or more aspects in detail. However, these aspects are exemplary.
Thus, some of the various methods in the principles of the various
aspects may be used, and the descriptions are intended to include
all such aspects and their equivalents. Specifically, "embodiment",
"example", "aspect", "exemplary embodiment" and the like used in
this specification may not be construed as any aspect or design
described being better or more advantageous than other aspects or
designs.
[0041] Hereinafter, the same or similar constituent elements are
assigned with the same reference numerals regardless of reference
numerals, and the repetitive description thereof will be omitted.
In addition, in the description of the exemplary embodiment
disclosed in the present specification, the specific descriptions
of publicly-known related technologies will be omitted when it is
determined that the specific descriptions may obscure the subject
matter of the exemplary embodiment disclosed in the present
specification. In addition, the accompanying drawings are provided
only to allow those skilled in the art to easily understand the
exemplary embodiments disclosed in the present specification, and
the technical spirit disclosed in the present specification is not
limited by the accompanying drawings.
[0042] The terms used in the present specification are for
explaining the exemplary embodiments, not for limiting the present
disclosure. Unless particularly stated otherwise in the present
specification, a singular form also includes a plural form. The
term "comprise" and/or "comprising" used in the specification does
not exclude existence or addition of one or more other constituent
elements in addition to the mentioned constituent element.
[0043] Terms "first", "second", and the like may be used to
describe various elements and components, but the elements and
components are of course not limited by these terms. These terms
are merely used to distinguish one element or component from
another element or component. Therefore, the first element or
component mentioned hereinafter may of course be the second element
or component within the technical spirit of the present
disclosure.
[0044] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and
scientific terms) used in the present specification may be used as
the meaning which may be commonly understood by the person with
ordinary skill in the art, to which the present disclosure belongs.
In addition, terms defined in a generally used dictionary shall not
be construed in ideal or excessively formal meanings unless they
are clearly and specially defined in the present specification.
[0045] The term "or" is intended to mean not an exclusive "or" but
an inclusive "or". That is, unless specified or clear in context,
"X uses A or B" is intended to mean one of the natural implicit
substitutions. That is, "X uses A or B" can be applied to any of
the cases where X uses A, X uses B, or X uses both A and B.
Moreover, it is to be understood that the term "and/or" used in
this specification refers to and includes all possible combinations
of one or more of the listed related items.
[0046] The terms "information" and "data" used in the present
specification may sometimes be interchangeably used.
[0047] When one constituent element is described as being
"connected" or "coupled" to another constituent element, it should
be understood that one constituent element can be connected or
coupled directly to another constituent element, and an intervening
constituent element can also be present between the constituent
elements. When one constituent element is described as being
"connected directly to" or "coupled directly to" another
constituent element, it should be understood that no intervening
constituent element is present between the constituent
elements.
[0048] The suffixes "module" and "unit" used to describe some
constituent elements in the following description are used together
or interchangeably in order to facilitate the description in the
specification, but the suffixes themselves do not have
distinguishable meanings or functions.
[0049] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on"
another element or layer, it can be directly on the other element
or layer or intervening elements or layers may be present. In
contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on"
another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or
layers present.
[0050] Spatially relative terms, such as "below," "beneath,"
"lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be used herein for the
ease of description of one constituent element or a correlation
between one constituent element and other constituent elements, as
illustrated in the drawings. It should be understood that the
spatially relative terms encompass different orientations of the
elements in use or operation in addition to the orientation
depicted in the drawings.
[0051] For example, if the constituent element in the drawings is
turned over, the constituent element described as "below" or
"beneath" the other constituent element may then be placed "above"
the other constituent element. Thus, the exemplary term "below" can
encompass both orientations of above and below. The constituent
elements may be oriented in different directions, and the spatially
relative terms used herein may be interpreted in accordance with
the orientations.
[0052] Objects and effects of the present disclosure and technical
constituent elements for achieving the objects and effects will be
clear with reference to the exemplary embodiments described in
detail below together with the accompanying drawings. In addition,
in the description of the present disclosure, the specific
descriptions of publicly-known functions or configurations will be
omitted when it is determined that the specific descriptions may
unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present disclosure.
In addition, the terms used herein are defined considering the
functions in the present disclosure and may vary depending on the
intention or usual practice of an inspector or an operator.
[0053] However, the present disclosure is not limited to the
exemplary embodiments disclosed herein but will be implemented in
various forms. The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure
are provided so that the present disclosure is completely
disclosed, and a person with ordinary skill in the art can fully
understand the scope of the present disclosure. The present
disclosure will be defined only by the scope of the appended
claims. Therefore, the definition of the present disclosure should
be made based on the entire contents of the technology of the
present specification.
[0054] The scope of the steps (methods) in the claims of the
present disclosure is defined by the functions and features
described in each of the steps but not affected by the order of
description of each of the steps in the claims unless the
precedence relationship of the sequence is specified in each of the
steps. For example, in the claims described as including steps
including step A and step B, even if step A is described before
step B, the scope is not limited to the case in which step A should
precede step B.
[0055] FIG. 1 is a block configuration view illustrating an
apparatus for scanning a blood vessel according to several
exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0056] Referring to FIG. 1, an apparatus 100 for scanning a blood
vessel may include a first catheter 110, a second catheter 120, a
driving unit 130, a data analysis unit 140, and a pressure control
unit 150. However, the constituent elements illustrated in FIG. 1
is not essential to implement the apparatus 100 for scanning a
blood vessel. The apparatus 100 for scanning a blood vessel, which
is described in the present specification, may have the constituent
elements larger or smaller in number than the constituent elements
listed above.
[0057] Hereinafter, the first catheter 110 related to several
exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be
described.
[0058] According to the several exemplary embodiments of the
present disclosure, the first catheter 110 may have an expandable
balloon coated with a fluorescent material at a distal end thereof.
In addition, the first catheter 110 may include a fluid transfer
tube configured to transfer a fluid to the balloon so that the
balloon is expanded.
[0059] In this case, the balloon may be formed in the form of an
expandable and shrinkable balloon having an internal space that
communicates with the fluid transfer tube included in the first
catheter 110, and the balloon is provided at the distal end of the
first catheter 110.
[0060] In the present disclosure, the fluid used to expand the
balloon provided on the first catheter 110 may be a substance such
as air or a physiological saline solution which is harmless to a
human body even though the substance is introduced into organs.
However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.
[0061] Meanwhile, the first catheter 110 for applying the
fluorescent material may be inserted into a blood vessel.
Furthermore, the balloon provided on the first catheter 110 may be
expanded at a target point in the blood vessel. In this case, the
balloon may come into contact with an inner wall of the blood
vessel at the target point in the blood vessel. In this case, the
fluorescent material with which the balloon is coated may be
applied to the inner wall of the blood vessel at the target point
in the blood vessel.
[0062] In the present disclosure, the fluorescent material refers
to a medicine administered so that specific tissue or blood vessels
are clearly visible during imaging diagnosis.
[0063] Specifically, the fluorescent material may be applied to the
target point in the blood vessel to increase contrast of the target
point in the blood vessel so that a structure or lesion is
observed. That is, the fluorescent material may mean a contrast
agent, a fluorescent dye, or a fluorophore.
[0064] For example, the fluorescent material in the present
disclosure may be indocyanine green (ICG). However, the present
disclosure is not limited thereto, and the fluorescent material may
be any material used to dye specific cells to diagnose
intravascular lesion. Meanwhile, recently, `compound designation
green 16 (CDg16)`, which is a fluorescent material used to
selectively dye activated macrophages to diagnose arteriosclerosis,
has been found.
[0065] In general, a near-infrared fluorescent image for diagnosing
an abnormality of the blood vessel may be obtained after completely
applying the fluorescent material (or the contrast agent) to the
target point in the blood vessel.
[0066] According to a technology in the related art, several tens
of minutes (20 minutes to 40 minutes) need to elapse until the
fluorescent material is applied to the target point in the blood
vessel after the fluorescent material is injected into the blood
vessel by means of injection or the like.
[0067] In contrast, the first catheter 110 according to the several
exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure applies the
fluorescent material by bringing the fluorescent material into
direct contact with the inner wall of the blood vessel at the
target point in the blood vessel, and as a result, the fluorescent
material may be immediately applied to the target point in the
blood vessel.
[0068] Therefore, the first catheter 110 according to the several
exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may shorten the
time required to elapse to apply the fluorescent material to the
target point in the blood vessel.
[0069] A description of the first catheter 110 related to the first
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described
below in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0070] Hereinafter, the first catheter 110 related to several other
exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be
described.
[0071] According to several other exemplary embodiments of the
present disclosure, the first catheter 110 may have the balloon at
the distal end thereof. In addition, the first catheter 110 may
include the fluid transfer tube configured to transfer the fluid to
the balloon so that the balloon is expanded. In addition, the first
catheter 110 may include a fluorescent material transfer tube
configured to transfer the fluorescent material.
[0072] The fluorescent material transfer tube included in the first
catheter 110 may include a fluorescent material injection port
provided at a proximal portion of the fluorescent material transfer
tube and into which the fluorescent material is injected. In
addition, the fluorescent material transfer tube may include at
least one micro-hole provided at a distal portion. Furthermore, the
fluorescent material may be discharged to the outside of the
fluorescent material transfer tube through at least one
micro-hole.
[0073] Meanwhile, the first catheter 110 for applying the
fluorescent material may be inserted into the blood vessel.
Furthermore, the balloon included in the first catheter 110 may be
expanded to block one region of the blood vessel corresponding to
the target point in the blood vessel. That is, the expanded balloon
may block one side of the target point in the blood vessel to
prevent the blood from flowing to the target point in the blood
vessel.
[0074] When the balloon included in the first catheter 110 is
expanded to block one region of the blood vessel corresponding to
the target point in the blood vessel, the fluorescent material may
be discharged to the outside of the fluorescent material transfer
tube through at least one micro-hole. In this case, the fluorescent
material discharged through the micro-hole may be applied to the
target point in the blood vessel with the blocked one region
thereof.
[0075] As described above, the near-infrared fluorescence image for
diagnosing an abnormality of the blood vessel may be acquired after
the fluorescent material (or the contrast agent) is completely
applied to the target point in the blood vessel.
[0076] According to a technology in the related art, several tens
of minutes (20 minutes to 40 minutes) need to elapse until the
fluorescent material is applied to the target point in the blood
vessel after the fluorescent material is injected into the blood
vessel by means of injection or the like. In this case, one of the
reasons why several tens of minutes are required to apply the
fluorescent material is that the fluorescent material is mixed with
the blood flowing along the blood vessel and concentration of the
fluorescent material is decreased.
[0077] In contrast, the first catheter 110 according to the several
exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure applies the
fluorescent material by blocking one region of the blood vessel at
the target point in the blood vessel and then discharging the
fluorescent material, and as a result, it is possible to solve the
problem in that the fluorescent material and the blood are mixed
and the concentration of the fluorescent material is decreased.
[0078] The first catheter 110 according to the several exemplary
embodiments of the present disclosure applies the fluorescent
material to the target point in the blood vessel, and as a result,
the time for which the fluorescent material moves in the blood
vessel is not required.
[0079] That is, the first catheter 110 according to the several
exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure maintains
concentration of the fluorescent material and discharges (applies)
the fluorescent material to the target point in the blood vessel or
to a position adjacent to the target point, and as a result, it is
possible to shorten the time required to elapse to apply the
fluorescent material.
[0080] A description of the first catheter 110 related to the
second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be
described below in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 10.
[0081] Hereinafter, the first catheter 110 related to several other
exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be
described.
[0082] According to several additional exemplary embodiments of the
present disclosure, the first catheter 110 may have a plurality of
balloons. In addition, the first catheter 110 may include the fluid
transfer tube configured to transfer the fluid to the plurality of
balloons so that the plurality of balloons is expanded. In this
case, the fluid transfer tube is connected to the pressure control
unit 150, such that the fluid discharged by the pressure control
unit 150 may be transferred from the pressure control unit 150 to
the plurality of balloons. However, the present disclosure is not
limited thereto, and the pressure control unit 150 may draw the
fluid, which has been transferred to the plurality of balloons,
through the fluid transfer tube.
[0083] Specifically, the first catheter 110 may have a first
balloon at the distal end thereof. Furthermore, the first catheter
110 may have a second balloon positioned at a position spaced apart
from the distal end. That is, the first and second balloons
included in the first catheter 110 may be positioned to be spaced
apart from each other at a distance.
[0084] The first catheter 110 may include the fluorescent material
transfer tube configured to transfer the fluorescent material.
[0085] The fluorescent material transfer tube included in the first
catheter 110 may include the fluorescent material injection port
provided at the proximal portion of the fluorescent material
transfer tube and into which the fluorescent material is injected.
In addition, the fluorescent material transfer tube may include at
least one micro-hole provided at a distal portion.
[0086] Specifically, the fluorescent material transfer tube may
have at least one micro-hole in a first region in a horizontal
direction. Furthermore, the fluorescent material may be discharged
to the outside of the fluorescent material transfer tube through at
least one micro-hole.
[0087] The plurality of micro-holes from which the fluorescent
material is discharged may be positioned between the first balloon
and the second balloon. Specifically, the plurality of micro-holes
may be included in the fluorescent material transfer tube
positioned between the first balloon and the second balloon.
[0088] Meanwhile, the first catheter 110 for applying the
fluorescent material may be inserted into the blood vessel.
Furthermore, the first balloon and the second balloon included in
the first catheter 110 may be expanded to block one region of the
blood vessel corresponding to the target point in the blood vessel.
That is, the expanded first and second balloons block both sides of
the target point in the blood vessel, respectively, to prevent the
blood from flowing to the target point in the blood vessel.
[0089] When the first balloon and the second balloon included in
the first catheter 110 are expanded to block one region of the
blood vessel corresponding to the target point in the blood vessel,
the fluorescent material may be discharged to the outside of the
fluorescent material transfer tube through at least one micro-hole.
In this case, the fluorescent material discharged through the
micro-hole may be applied to the target point in the blood vessel
having the two blocked regions.
[0090] As described above, the near-infrared fluorescent image for
diagnosing abnormality of the blood vessel may be acquired after
the fluorescent material (or the contrast agent) is completely
applied to the target point in the blood vessel.
[0091] According to a technology in the related art, several tens
of minutes (20 minutes to 40 minutes) need to elapse until the
fluorescent material is applied to the target point in the blood
vessel after the fluorescent material is injected into the blood
vessel by means of injection or the like. In this case, one of the
reasons why several tens of minutes are required to apply the
fluorescent material is that the fluorescent material is mixed with
the blood flowing along the blood vessel and concentration of the
fluorescent material is decreased.
[0092] In contrast, the first catheter 110 according to the several
exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure applies the
fluorescent material by blocking the two regions of the blood
vessel at the target point in the blood vessel and then discharging
the fluorescent material, and as a result, it is possible to solve
the problem in that the fluorescent material and the blood are
mixed and the concentration of the fluorescent material is
decreased.
[0093] The first catheter 110 according to the several exemplary
embodiments of the present disclosure applies the fluorescent
material to the target point in the blood vessel, and as a result,
the time for which the fluorescent material moves in the blood
vessel is not required.
[0094] That is, the first catheter 110 according to the several
exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure maintains
concentration of the fluorescent material and discharges (applies)
the fluorescent material to the target point in the blood vessel or
to a position adjacent to the target point, and as a result, it is
possible to shorten the time required to elapse to apply the
fluorescent material.
[0095] Meanwhile, the fluorescent material may cause side effects
to some subjects. In addition, if the fluorescent material is
injected into the blood vessel of the subject having a side effect
(e.g., an allergic reaction) to the fluorescent material, the
fluorescent material is dispersed throughout the blood vessel,
which may cause a fatal side effect to the subject's health.
[0096] In contrast, the first catheter 110 according to the several
exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure locally applies the
fluorescent material after blocking the two regions of the target
point in the blood vessel, and as a result, it is possible to
prevent a side effect fatal to the subject's health.
[0097] According to the several exemplary embodiments of the
present disclosure, the fluid transfer tube and the fluorescent
material transfer tube included in the first catheter 110 may be
provided side by side.
[0098] According to several other exemplary embodiments of the
present disclosure, the fluid transfer tube included in the first
catheter 110 may be provided in the fluorescent material transfer
tube. Specifically, the fluorescent material transfer tube
surrounds the fluid transfer tube, and the plurality of micro-holes
may be provided in an outer circumferential surface of the
fluorescent material transfer tube.
[0099] The configuration in which the fluid transfer tube and the
fluorescent material transfer tube included in the first catheter
110 are provided will be described below in detail with reference
to FIGS. 6 and 8.
[0100] According to the several exemplary embodiments of the
present disclosure, the second catheter 120 for scanning the blood
vessel may be inserted into the blood vessel after the first
catheter 110 is removed from the blood vessel. Furthermore, the
second catheter 120 may include, at the distal end thereof, a
scanning unit for acquiring scanning data.
[0101] Specifically, the second catheter 120 may scan the target
point in the blood vessel which is coated with the fluorescent
material. More specifically, the scanning unit of the second
catheter 120 may acquire scanning data of the target point in the
blood vessel. In this case, the scanning data may include data
(e.g., data related to optical signals) for acquiring the
near-infrared fluorescent image and the optical coherence
tomography image.
[0102] Here, the second catheter 120 for acquiring the scanning
data may be an OCT/NIRF (optical coherence tomography/near-infrared
fluorescence) catheter.
[0103] Meanwhile, the data analysis unit 140 may acquire the
microstructure information and the biochemical information of the
blood vessel by using the optical signals acquired by the second
catheter 120.
[0104] The microstructure information of the blood vessel may mean
information about an external appearance of the blood vessel. The
microstructure information of the blood vessel may include optical
coherence tomography images.
[0105] The biochemical information of the blood vessel may mean
information for diagnosing an abnormality of the blood vessel based
on information on specific cells (e.g., macrophages) reacting with
the fluorescent material (specifically, bonded to the fluorescent
material). That is, the biochemical information of the blood vessel
may mean information for diagnosing an abnormality of the blood
vessel based on information about specific cells reacting with the
fluorescent material.
[0106] For example, the macrophages, which react with the
fluorescent material, are responsible for immunity of the body.
Specifically, the macrophages are activated when the macrophages
detect an invading substance in the body, and the macrophages
produce antigens. That is, an inspector may check whether the blood
vessel is abnormal by observing the macrophages that react with the
fluorescent material.
[0107] Meanwhile, the biochemical information of the blood vessel
may include near-infrared fluorescent images.
[0108] The second catheter 120 may acquire scanning data for
producing the near-infrared fluorescent image and the intravascular
ultrasonic image at the target point in the blood vessel. Here, the
second catheter 120 may be an IVUS/NIRF (intravascular
ultrasound/near-infrared fluorescence) catheter. In this case, the
microstructure information of the blood vessel may include
intravascular ultrasonic images.
[0109] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and
the second catheter 120 may acquire scanning data for producing
near-infrared fluorescent images, optical coherence tomography
images, and intravascular ultrasonic images. In this case, with the
use of the scanning data, the data analysis unit 140 may acquire
the microstructure information and the biochemical information of
the blood vessel, that is, near-infrared fluorescent images,
optical coherence tomography images, and intravascular ultrasonic
images.
[0110] According to the several exemplary embodiments of the
present disclosure, the driving unit 130 may include a rotary stage
configured to rotate the catheter (each of the first catheter 110
and the second catheter 120) by 360 degrees, a connecting means
configured to connect the rotary stage and the catheter, and a 1D
motorized stage configured to move the catheter step by step.
[0111] The driving unit 130 may be connected to the first catheter
110 and the second catheter 120. Specifically, the driving unit 130
may be connected to the proximal end of the first catheter 110 when
the first catheter 110 is inserted into the blood vessel. That is,
the balloon is provided at the distal end of the first catheter
110, and the proximal end of the first catheter 110 may be
connected to the driving unit 130.
[0112] Meanwhile, the driving unit 130 may be connected to the
proximal end of the second catheter 120 when the second catheter
120 is inserted into the blood vessel. That is, the scanning unit
for acquiring the scanning data is provided at the distal end of
the second catheter 120, and the proximal end of the second
catheter 120 may be connected to the driving unit 130.
[0113] The driving unit 130 may rotate and move the first catheter
110 and the second catheter 120 in the blood vessel. Specifically,
the driving unit 130 may rotate and move the first catheter 110 and
the second catheter 120 in the blood vessel so that the distal end
of the first catheter 110 and the distal end of the second catheter
120 reach the target point in the blood vessel.
[0114] FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a method
of scanning a blood vessel according to the several exemplary
embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0115] Referring to FIG. 2, the first catheter 110 for applying the
fluorescent material to the blood vessel of the subject may be
inserted into the blood vessel (S110). In this case, the
fluorescent material to be applied to the blood vessel of the
subject may be a material applied to scan the blood vessel of the
subject (specifically, to acquire the near-infrared fluorescence
image).
[0116] After step S110, the first catheter 110 may apply the
fluorescent material to the target point in the blood vessel of the
subject (S120). That is, the inspector may apply the fluorescent
material to the target point in the blood vessel of the subject by
using the first catheter 110.
[0117] According to the several exemplary embodiments of the
present disclosure, the first catheter 110 having the expandable
balloon coated with the fluorescent material at the distal end may
apply the fluorescent material to the target point in the blood
vessel of the subject.
[0118] Specifically, the balloon provided on the first catheter 110
may be expanded when the distal end of the first catheter 110
reaches the target point in the blood vessel of the subject.
[0119] More specifically, the pressure control unit 150 may expand
the balloon by discharging the fluid when the balloon provided on
the first catheter 110 reaches the target point in the blood vessel
of the subject. In this case, the fluid discharged by the pressure
control unit 150 may be transferred to the balloon through the
fluid transfer tube from the pressure control unit 150. Therefore,
the balloon may be expanded at the target point in the blood vessel
of the subject.
[0120] In this case, the inner wall of the blood vessel at the
target point in the blood vessel of the subject may come into
contact with the expanded balloon. That is, the balloon coated with
the fluorescent material comes into contact with the inner wall of
the blood vessel at the target point in the blood vessel of the
subject, such that the fluorescent material may be applied to the
target point in the blood vessel.
[0121] Therefore, the inspector applies the fluorescent material by
bringing the fluorescent material into direct contact with the
inner wall of the blood vessel at the target point in the blood
vessel of the subject, and as a result, it is possible to quickly
apply the fluorescent material to the target point.
[0122] According to several other exemplary embodiments of the
present disclosure, the first catheter 110, which has the
expandable balloon at the distal end thereof and includes the
fluorescent material transfer tube for applying the fluorescent
material, may apply the fluorescent material to the target point in
the blood vessel of the subject.
[0123] Specifically, the balloon provided on the first catheter 110
may be expanded when the distal end of the first catheter 110
reaches the target point in the blood vessel of the subject.
[0124] More specifically, the pressure control unit 150 may expand
the balloon by discharging the fluid when the balloon provided on
the first catheter 110 reaches the target point in the blood vessel
of the subject. In this case, the fluid discharged by the pressure
control unit 150 may be transferred to the balloon through the
fluid transfer tube from the pressure control unit 150. Therefore,
the balloon may be expanded at the target point in the blood vessel
of the subject.
[0125] In this case, one region of the blood vessel corresponding
to the target point in the blood vessel of the subject may be
blocked.
[0126] After one region of the blood vessel corresponding to the
target point in the blood vessel of the subject is blocked, the
fluorescent material may be injected into the fluorescent material
injection port provided at the proximal portion of the fluorescent
material transfer tube. That is, the inspector may inject the
fluorescent material into the fluorescent material injection port
provided at the proximal portion of the fluorescent material
transfer tube after one region of the blood vessel corresponding to
the target point in the blood vessel of the subject is blocked.
[0127] In this case, the fluorescent material transfer tube may
transfer the fluorescent material, which is injected into the
fluorescent material injection port, to at least one micro-hole
provided in the first region in the horizontal direction of the
distal portion. In addition, the fluorescent material transfer tube
may discharge the fluorescent material to the outside of the
fluorescent material transfer tube through at least one
micro-hole.
[0128] Therefore, the inspector applies the fluorescent material by
discharging the fluorescent material after blocking one region of
the blood vessel at the target point in the blood vessel of the
subject, and as a result, it is possible to prevent the fluorescent
material and the blood from being mixed, thereby preventing the
time required to apply the fluorescent material from
increasing.
[0129] According to several additional exemplary embodiments of the
present disclosure, the first catheter 110, which has the plurality
of expandable balloons and includes the fluorescent material
transfer tube for applying the fluorescent material, may apply the
fluorescent material to the target point in the blood vessel of the
subject. In this case, the plurality of balloons may include the
first balloon and the second balloon. Specifically, the plurality
of balloons may include the first balloon provided at the distal
end of the first catheter 110, and the second balloon positioned to
be spaced apart from the distal end of the first catheter 110 at a
distance.
[0130] Meanwhile, the first balloon and the second balloon provided
on the first catheter 110 may be expanded when the distal end of
the first catheter 110 reaches the region corresponding to the
target point in the blood vessel of the subject.
[0131] Specifically, the pressure control unit 150 may discharge
the fluid to expand the first balloon and the second balloon when
the portion between the first balloon and the second balloon
provided on the first catheter 110 is positioned in the region
corresponding to the target point in the blood vessel of the
subject. In this case, the fluid discharged by the pressure control
unit 150 may be transferred to the first balloon and the second
balloon through the fluid transfer tube from the pressure control
unit 150.
[0132] In this case, the two regions of the blood vessel
corresponding to the target point in the blood vessel of the
subject may be blocked.
[0133] After one region of the blood vessel corresponding to the
target point in the blood vessel of the subject is blocked, the
fluorescent material may be injected into the fluorescent material
injection port provided at the proximal portion of the fluorescent
material transfer tube. That is, the inspector may inject the
fluorescent material into the fluorescent material injection port
provided at the proximal portion of the fluorescent material
transfer tube after the two regions of the blood vessel
corresponding to the target point in the blood vessel of the
subject are blocked.
[0134] In this case, the fluorescent material transfer tube may
transfer the fluorescent material, which is injected into the
fluorescent material injection port, to at least one micro-hole
positioned between the first balloon and the second balloon and
provided in the first region in the horizontal direction. In
addition, the fluorescent material transfer tube may discharge the
fluorescent material to the outside of the fluorescent material
transfer tube through at least one micro-hole.
[0135] Therefore, the inspector applies the fluorescent material by
discharging the fluorescent material after blocking the two regions
of the blood vessel at the target point in the blood vessel of the
subject, and as a result, it is possible to prevent the fluorescent
material and the blood from being mixed, thereby preventing the
time required to apply the fluorescent material from
increasing.
[0136] Meanwhile, the first catheter 110 may be removed (extracted)
from the blood vessel of the subject after the fluorescent material
is completely applied to the target point in the blood vessel of
the subject. That is, the inspector may remove the first catheter
110 from the blood vessel of the subject after the fluorescent
material is completely applied to the target point in the blood
vessel.
[0137] After the first catheter 110 is removed from the blood
vessel, the second catheter 120 for scanning the blood vessel may
be inserted into the blood vessel from which the first catheter 110
is removed (S130). That is, the inspector may insert the second
catheter 120 for scanning the blood vessel into the blood vessel
after removing the first catheter 110.
[0138] After step S130, the microstructure information and the
biochemical information of the blood vessel may be acquired by the
second catheter 120 (S140). That is, the inspector may acquire the
microstructure information and the biochemical information of the
blood vessel by using the second catheter 120.
[0139] Specifically, the second catheter 120 may acquire the
scanning data of the target point in the blood vessel. In this
case, the scanning data may mean optical signals related to the
optical coherence tomography image and the near-infrared
fluorescence image. However, the present disclosure is not limited
thereto.
[0140] As described above with reference to FIG. 1, the
microstructure information of the blood vessel may include the
optical coherence tomography image. That is, the microstructure
information of the blood vessel may mean information about an
external appearance of the blood vessel.
[0141] The biochemical information of the blood vessel may include
near-infrared fluorescent images. That is, the biochemical
information of the blood vessel may mean information for diagnosing
an abnormality of the blood vessel based on information on specific
cells (e.g., macrophages) reacting with the fluorescent material
(specifically, bonded to the fluorescent material).
[0142] Therefore, the inspector may accurately check the state in
the blood vessel of the subject based on the microstructure
information related to the external appearance of the blood vessel
of the subject and the biochemical information related to whether
the blood vessel is abnormal.
[0143] The order of the above-mentioned steps in FIG. 2 may be
changed as necessary, and at least one or more steps may be omitted
or added. In addition, the above-mentioned steps are only examples
of the present disclosure, and the scope of the present disclosure
is not limited thereto.
[0144] FIG. 3 is a view for explaining the first catheter according
to the several exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0145] Referring to FIG. 3, the first catheter 110 may include a
balloon 111, a fluid transfer tube 112, and an outer sheath
114.
[0146] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the balloon 111 may be provided at
the distal end of the first catheter 110. In addition, the balloon
111 may have an internal space that communicates with the fluid
transfer tube 112 included in the first catheter 110. In addition,
the balloon 111 may be formed in the form of an expandable and
shrinkable balloon.
[0147] An outer surface (i.e., a surface to be in contact with the
inner wall of the blood vessel of the subject) of the balloon 111
may be coated with the fluorescent material. Specifically, one
region of the outer sheath 114 surrounding the balloon 111 may be
coated with the fluorescent material.
[0148] Meanwhile, when the balloon 111 is expanded at a target
point 11 in a blood vessel 10 of the subject, the outer surface of
the balloon 111 (i.e., one region of the outer sheath 114
surrounding the balloon 111) may come into contact with the target
point 11 in the blood vessel 10 of the subject.
[0149] Therefore, the balloon 111 having the outer surface coated
with the fluorescent material may apply the fluorescent material to
the target point 11 in the blood vessel 10 of the subject.
[0150] The first catheter 110 according to the several exemplary
embodiments of the present disclosure applies the fluorescent
material by bringing the fluorescent material into contact with the
target point 11 in the blood vessel 10 of the subject, and as a
result, it is possible to save the time required to apply the
fluorescent material.
[0151] The first catheter 110 immediately applies the fluorescent
material to the target point 11 in the blood vessel 10, thereby
enabling the second catheter 120 to quickly acquire the
near-infrared fluorescent image together with the optical coherence
tomography image.
[0152] Meanwhile, as described above, the fluid transfer tube 112
may communicate with the balloon 111. In addition, the fluid
transfer tube 112 is connected to the pressure control unit 150,
such that a fluid 20 discharged by the pressure control unit 150
may be transferred from the pressure control unit 150 to the
balloon 111. That is, the balloon may be connected to the distal
end of the fluid transfer tube 112, and the pressure control unit
150 may be connected to the proximal end of the fluid transfer tube
112. In this case, the fluid 20 may be a substance such as air or a
physiological saline solution which is harmless to a human body
even though the substance is introduced into body organs. However,
the present disclosure is not limited thereto.
[0153] Meanwhile, a region of the first catheter 110, which is to
be inserted into the blood vessel 10 of the subject, may be
surrounded by the outer sheath 114. Specifically, the outer sheath
114 may be formed to surround the balloon 111 and the fluid
transfer tube 112 of the first catheter 110.
[0154] Therefore, the outer sheath 114 may prevent the balloon 111
and the fluid transfer tube 112 from coming into direct contact
with the blood vessel 10 of the subject. That is, the outer sheath
114 may prevent infection caused by a blood vessel insertion tool
(in this case, the balloon 111 and the fluid transfer tube
112).
[0155] FIG. 4 is a view for explaining an example of a method
applying the fluorescent material to the target point in the blood
vessel by the first catheter according to the several exemplary
embodiments of the present disclosure. The contents identical to
the contents described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 will
not be repeatedly described again with reference to FIG. 4, and the
drawing for assisting in understanding the present disclosure will
be briefly described.
[0156] Referring to FIG. 4A, the first catheter 110 inserted into
the blood vessel 10 of the subject may have the balloon 111 at the
distal end. In this case, the balloon 111 may be coated with the
fluorescent material.
[0157] Specifically, as illustrated, the balloon 111 of the first
catheter 110 may be inserted into the blood vessel 10 of the
subject in the state in which the balloon 111 is not expanded
(i.e., the balloon is shrunk). That is, the balloon 111 illustrated
in FIG. 4A may be in a state before the balloon 111 receives the
fluid through the fluid transfer tube 112.
[0158] Referring to FIG. 4B, the balloon 111 of the first catheter
110 may be expanded at the target point 11 in the blood vessel 10
of the subject. In this case, the fluorescent material with which
the balloon 111 is coated may be applied to the target point 11 in
the blood vessel 10 of the subject.
[0159] That is, the first catheter 110 according to the several
other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure applies the
fluorescent material by bringing the fluorescent material into
direct contact with the inner wall of the blood vessel at the
target point 11 in the blood vessel 10 of the subject, and as a
result, the fluorescent material may be immediately applied to the
target point 11 in the blood vessel 10 of the subject.
[0160] Therefore, the first catheter 110 according to the several
exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may shorten the
time required to elapse to apply the fluorescent material to the
target point 11 in the blood vessel 10 of the subject.
[0161] FIG. 5 is a view for explaining the first catheter according
to several other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the first catheter illustrated
in FIG. 5 taken along line A-A'.
[0162] Referring to FIG. 5, the first catheter 110 may include the
balloon 111, the fluid transfer tube 112, at least one fluorescent
material transfer tube 113, and the outer sheath 114.
[0163] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the first catheter 110 may have
the balloon 111 at the distal end thereof. In this case, the
balloon 111 may have the internal space that communicates with the
fluid transfer tube 112 included in the first catheter 110. In
addition, the balloon 111 may be formed in the form of an
expandable and shrinkable balloon.
[0164] Meanwhile, the fluid transfer tube 112 is connected to the
pressure control unit 150, such that a fluid 20 discharged by the
pressure control unit 150 may be transferred from the pressure
control unit 150 to the balloon 111. However, the present
disclosure is not limited thereto, and the pressure control unit
150 may draw the fluid 20, which has been transferred to the
balloon 111, through the fluid transfer tube 112. That is, the
balloon 111 may be connected to the distal end of the fluid
transfer tube 112, and the pressure control unit 150 may be
connected to the proximal end of the fluid transfer tube 112.
[0165] At least one fluorescent material transfer tube 113 included
in the first catheter 110 may include the fluorescent material
injection port provided at the proximal portion of the at least one
fluorescent material transfer tube 113 and into which a fluorescent
material 30 is injected. In addition, the at least one fluorescent
material transfer tube 113 may include at least one micro-hole
113-1 provided at the distal portion thereof.
[0166] Specifically, the at least one fluorescent material transfer
tube 113 may have the at least one micro-hole 113-1 in the first
region in the horizontal direction. Furthermore, the fluorescent
material 30 may be discharged to the outside of the at least one
fluorescent material transfer tube 113 through the at least one
micro-hole 113-1.
[0167] More specifically, the at least one micro-hole 113-1 may
discharge the fluorescent material 30 to the outside of the at
least one fluorescent material transfer tube 113 through a tube
that communicates with the outer sheath. That is, the fluorescent
material may be discharged to the outside of the first catheter 110
through the at least one fluorescent material transfer tube 113,
the at least one micro-hole 113-1, and the tube communicating with
the outer sheath, and applied to the target point 11 in the blood
vessel 10 of the subject.
[0168] According to the several exemplary embodiments of the
present disclosure, the fluid transfer tube 112 and the at least
one fluorescent material transfer tube 113 included in the first
catheter 110 may be provided side by side.
[0169] Referring to FIG. 6, the fluid transfer tube 112 and the at
least one fluorescent material transfer tube 113 may be positioned
in the region in the outer sheath 114 of the first catheter
110.
[0170] As illustrated, the fluid transfer tube 112 may have an
internal space in which the fluid 20 may move. Furthermore, the at
least one fluorescent material transfer tube 113 may have an
internal space in which the fluorescent material 30 may move.
[0171] Meanwhile, the fluid transfer tube 112 and the at least one
fluorescent material transfer tube 113 may be provided side by side
at the adjacent positions in the region in the outer sheath 114 of
the first catheter 110. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 6, one
surface of the fluid transfer tube 112 and one surface of the at
least one fluorescent material transfer tube 113 may be in contact
with each other.
[0172] For example, the fluid transfer tube 112 and the at least
one fluorescent material transfer tube 113 may have a `8` shape
formed by connecting surfaces of two tubes when viewed from one
side.
[0173] However, the positions at which the fluid transfer tube 112
and the at least one fluorescent material transfer tube 113 are
provided described above with reference to FIG. 6 are merely
several exemplary embodiments for assisting in understanding the
present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited
thereto.
[0174] Referring back to FIG. 5, the region of the first catheter
110, which is to be inserted into the blood vessel 10 of the
subject, may be surrounded by the outer sheath 114. Specifically,
the outer sheath 114 may be formed to surround the balloon 111, the
fluid transfer tube 112, and the at least one fluorescent material
transfer tube 113 of the first catheter 110.
[0175] Therefore, the outer sheath 114 may prevent the balloon 111,
the fluid transfer tube 112, and the at least one fluorescent
material transfer tube 113 from coming into direct contact with the
blood vessel 10 of the subject. That is, the outer sheath 114 may
prevent infection caused by a blood vessel insertion tool (in this
case, the balloon 111, the fluid transfer tube 112, and the at
least one fluorescent material transfer tube 113).
[0176] FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the first catheter according
to several other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the first catheter illustrated
in FIG. 7 taken along line B-B'.
[0177] Referring to FIG. 7, the first catheter 110 may include the
balloon 111, the fluid transfer tube 112, the fluorescent material
transfer tube 113, and the outer sheath 114.
[0178] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the first catheter 110 may have
the balloon 111 at the distal end thereof. In this case, the
balloon 111 may have the internal space that communicates with the
fluid transfer tube 112 included in the first catheter 110. In
addition, the balloon 111 may be formed in the form of an
expandable and shrinkable balloon.
[0179] Meanwhile, the fluid transfer tube 112 is connected to the
pressure control unit 150, such that a fluid 20 discharged by the
pressure control unit 150 may be transferred from the pressure
control unit 150 to the balloon 111. However, the present
disclosure is not limited thereto, and the pressure control unit
150 may draw the fluid 20, which has been transferred to the
balloon 111, through the fluid transfer tube 112. That is, the
balloon 111 may be connected to the distal end of the fluid
transfer tube 112, and the pressure control unit 150 may be
connected to the proximal end of the fluid transfer tube 112.
[0180] The fluorescent material transfer tube 113 included in the
first catheter 110 may include the fluorescent material injection
port provided at the proximal portion of the fluorescent material
transfer tube 113 and into which a fluorescent material 30 is
injected. In addition, the fluorescent material transfer tube 113
may include at least one micro-hole 113-1 provided at the distal
portion thereof.
[0181] Specifically, the fluorescent material transfer tube 113 may
have the at least one micro-hole 113-1 in the first region in the
horizontal direction. Furthermore, the fluorescent material 30 may
be discharged to the outside of the fluorescent material transfer
tube 113 through the at least one micro-hole 113-1.
[0182] More specifically, the at least one micro-hole 113-1 may
discharge the fluorescent material 30 to the outside of the
fluorescent material transfer tube 113 through a tube that
communicates with the outer sheath. That is, the fluorescent
material may be discharged to the outside of the first catheter 110
through the fluorescent material transfer tube 113, the at least
one micro-hole 113-1, and the tube communicating with the outer
sheath, and applied to the target point 11 in the blood vessel 10
of the subject.
[0183] According to the several exemplary embodiments of the
present disclosure, the fluid transfer tube 112 included in the
first catheter 110 may be provided in the fluorescent material
transfer tube 113. Specifically, the fluorescent material transfer
tube 113 surrounds the fluid transfer tube 112, and the plurality
of micro-holes 113-1 may be provided in the outer circumferential
surface of the fluorescent material transfer tube 113.
[0184] Referring to FIG. 8, the fluid transfer tube 112 and the
fluorescent material transfer tube 113 may be positioned in the
region in the outer sheath 114 of the first catheter 110.
[0185] As illustrated, the fluid transfer tube 112 may have the
internal space in which the fluid 20 may move. Furthermore, the
fluorescent material transfer tube 113 may have an internal space
in which the fluorescent material 30 may move.
[0186] Meanwhile, the fluid transfer tube 112 may be provided to
penetrate the internal space of the fluorescent material transfer
tube 113. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the fluid transfer
tube 112 may be provided in one region of the internal space of the
fluorescent material transfer tube 113.
[0187] Therefore, the fluid 20 may be transferred through the
internal space of the fluid transfer tube 113 provided in one
region of the internal space of the fluorescent material transfer
tube 113. Furthermore, the fluorescent material 30 may be
transferred through the region different from one region of the
internal space of the fluorescent material transfer tube 113 in
which the fluid transfer tube 112 is provided.
[0188] However, the positions at which the fluid transfer tube 112
and the fluorescent material transfer tube 113 are provided
described above with reference to FIG. 8 are merely several
exemplary embodiments for assisting in understanding the present
disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.
[0189] Referring back to FIG. 7, the region of the first catheter
110, which is to be inserted into the blood vessel 10 of the
subject, may be surrounded by the outer sheath 114. Specifically,
the outer sheath 114 may be formed to surround the balloon 111, the
fluid transfer tube 112, and the fluorescent material transfer tube
113 of the first catheter 110.
[0190] Therefore, the outer sheath 114 may prevent the balloon 111,
the fluid transfer tube 112, and the fluorescent material transfer
tube 113 from coming into direct contact with the blood vessel 10
of the subject. That is, the outer sheath 114 may prevent infection
caused by a blood vessel insertion tool (in this case, the balloon
111, the fluid transfer tube 112, the fluorescent material transfer
tube 113).
[0191] FIG. 9 is a view for explaining an example of a method
applying the fluorescent material to the target point in the blood
vessel by the first catheter according to the several other
exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The contents
identical to the contents described above with reference to FIGS. 5
to 8 will not be repeatedly described again with reference to FIG.
9, and the drawing for assisting in understanding the present
disclosure will be briefly described.
[0192] For the convenience of the description, the description in
FIG. 9 will be described with reference to the basic drawings of
the first catheter 110 described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.
However, the contents illustrated in FIG. 9 are not limited
thereto, and the same following exemplary embodiments may be
applied to the first catheter 110 described with reference to FIGS.
7 and 8.
[0193] Referring to FIG. 9A, the first catheter 110 inserted into
the blood vessel 10 of the subject may have the balloon 111 at the
distal end.
[0194] Specifically, as illustrated, the balloon 111 of the first
catheter 110 may be inserted into the blood vessel 10 of the
subject in the state in which the balloon 111 is not expanded
(i.e., the balloon is shrunk). That is, the balloon 111 illustrated
in FIG. 9A may be in a state before the balloon 111 receives the
fluid through the fluid transfer tube 112.
[0195] Referring to FIG. 9B, the balloon 111 of the first catheter
110 may be expanded at the target point 11 in the blood vessel 10
of the subject. In this case, one region of the target point 11 in
the blood vessel 10 of the subject may be blocked by the balloon
111. That is, the expanded balloon 111 may block one side of the
target point 11 in the blood vessel 10 of the subject to prevent
the blood from flowing to the target point 11 in the blood vessel
10.
[0196] Referring to FIG. 9C, when the balloon 111 included in the
first catheter 110 is expanded to block one region of the blood
vessel corresponding to the target point 11 in the blood vessel 10,
the fluorescent material 30 may be discharged to the outside of the
fluorescent material transfer tube through the at least one
micro-hole 113-1. In this case, the fluorescent material 30
discharged through the micro-hole 113-1 may be applied to the
target point 11 in the blood vessel 10 having the blocked one
region.
[0197] That is, the first catheter 110 according to the several
exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure applies the
fluorescent material by blocking one region of the blood vessel at
the target point in the blood vessel and then discharging the
fluorescent material, and as a result, it is possible to prevent
the fluorescent material and the blood from being mixed, thereby
preventing the time required to apply the fluorescent material from
increasing. In addition, the first catheter 110 may minimize the
time required to apply the fluorescent material, thereby enabling
the second catheter 120 to quickly acquire the near-infrared
fluorescent image together with the optical coherence tomography
image.
[0198] Therefore, the first catheter 110 according to the several
exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may shorten the
time required to elapse to apply the fluorescent material to the
target point 11 in the blood vessel 10 of the subject.
[0199] FIG. 10 is a view for explaining the first catheter
according to the present disclosure.
[0200] As described above, the first catheter 110 according to the
several exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may apply
the fluorescent material to the target point in the blood vessel
through the at least one micro-hole of the fluorescent material
transfer tube after the balloon is expanded.
[0201] Referring to FIG. 10, the first catheter 110 may have the
balloon in a balloon region positioned at the distal portion.
Because the balloon region has been described in detail with
reference to FIGS. 3 to 9, a specific description thereof will be
omitted.
[0202] The first catheter 110 may have a fluorescent material
injection port 115, a connector 116, and a latch 117 at the
proximal portion thereof.
[0203] The fluorescent material injection port 115 may receive the
fluorescent material after the balloon of the first catheter 110 is
expanded. That is, the inspector may expand the balloon of the
first catheter 110 and then inject the fluorescent material into
the fluorescent material injection port 115.
[0204] In this case, the fluorescent material may be applied to the
target point in the blood vessel of the subject through at least
one micro-hole of the fluorescent material transfer tube.
[0205] Specifically, the fluorescent material injection port 115
may be connected to the proximal end of the fluorescent material
transfer tube. That is, the fluorescent material may be injected
into the fluorescent material injection port 115, may pass through
the fluorescent material transfer tube, and then may be applied to
the target point in the blood vessel through at least one
micro-hole provided at the distal end of the fluorescent material
transfer tube.
[0206] Meanwhile, the connector 116 may connect the first catheter
110 to the apparatus 100 for scanning a blood vessel.
[0207] Specifically, the first catheter 110 receives motion ability
provided from the driving unit 130 through the connector 116 and
may rotate and move in the blood vessel. In addition, the first
catheter 110 may receive the fluid for expanding the balloon from
the pressure control unit 150 of the apparatus 100 for scanning a
blood vessel through the connector 116.
[0208] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and
the first catheter 110 may receive, through the connector 116,
various motion abilities, control signals, and specific substances,
which are required to operate the first catheter 110, from the
apparatus 100 for scanning a blood vessel.
[0209] Meanwhile, a latch 117 provided on the proximal portion of
the first catheter 110 may be used to disconnect the first catheter
110 connected to the apparatus 100 for scanning a blood vessel.
That is, in order to disconnect the first catheter 110 connected to
the apparatus 100 for scanning a blood vessel, the inspector may
disconnect the first catheter 110 by pulling or pushing the latch
117 provided at the proximal portion of the first catheter 110.
[0210] FIG. 11 is a view for explaining an example of a method of
acquiring microstructure information and biochemical information of
the blood vessel by a second catheter according to several
exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0211] According to the several exemplary embodiments of the
present disclosure, the second catheter 120 may acquire the
scanning data of the target point in the blood vessel. In this
case, the scanning data may include the optical signal for
acquiring at least one of the optical coherence tomography image
and the intravascular ultrasonic image.
[0212] Specifically, referring to FIG. 11, the second catheter 120
may be connected to the apparatus 100 for scanning a blood vessel
in order to acquire the microstructure information and the
biochemical information of the blood vessel. More specifically, the
second catheter 120 may be connected to a data analysis unit 140
and an OCT device 160 of the apparatus 100 for scanning a blood
vessel.
[0213] The OCT device 160 may transmit first light to the second
catheter 120 by means of a first light source in order to acquire
the optical coherence tomography image. In this case, the second
catheter 120 may emit the first light to the target point in the
blood vessel.
[0214] The OCT device 160 may transmit second light to the second
catheter 120 by means of a second light source in order to acquire
the near-infrared fluorescence image. In this case, the second
catheter 120 may emit the second light to the target point in the
blood vessel.
[0215] Meanwhile, the second catheter 120 may acquire the optical
signal reflected at the target point in the blood vessel as the
first light and the second light are emitted. Furthermore, the
second catheter 120 may transmit the light, which is reflected at
the target point in the blood vessel, to the data analysis unit
140. In this case, the data analysis unit 140 may acquire the
optical coherence tomography image and the near-infrared
fluorescent image by using the light reflected at the target point
in the blood vessel. Here, the second catheter 120 may be an
OCT/NIRF (optical coherence tomography/near-infrared fluorescence)
catheter.
[0216] Therefore, the inspector may accurately check the state of
the blood vessel of the subject based on the microstructure
information related to the external appearance of the blood vessel
of the subject and the biochemical information related to whether
the blood vessel is abnormal.
[0217] The description of the presented exemplary embodiments is
provided to enable any person skilled in the art of the present
disclosure to carry out or use the present disclosure. Various
modifications to the exemplary embodiments will be apparent to
those skilled in the art of the present disclosure, and the generic
principles defined herein may be applied to other exemplary
embodiments without departing from the scope of the present
disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that the present
disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments presented
herein but should be construed in the broadest scope consistent
with the principles and novel features presented herein.
MODE FOR INVENTION
[0218] As described above, the related contents have been described
in the best mode for carrying out the invention.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0219] The present disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus
for scanning a blood vessel, and more particularly, to a method and
an apparatus for scanning a blood vessel that acquire
microstructure information and biochemical information of a blood
vessel.
* * * * *