Adjustable Catheter Shaft for Radial and Femoral Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current catheters for neuromodulation and denervation require different lengths for femoral and radial access, leading to the need for multiple configurations, which complicates insertion and manipulation within the patient's vasculature.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable catheter shaft system with a handle assembly that allows for changing the working length of the catheter shaft, featuring a movable shuttle and clamping actuator, enabling the catheter shaft to be securely positioned and manipulated within the vasculature for various access methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If different catheter configurations are used for femoral and radial access, then the catheter can be optimized for each specific access route, but the device complexity and need for multiple configurations increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different access routesVSAvoidnumber of configurations

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter shaft incorporates a dynamic adjustment mechanism with a movable shuttle that can be repositioned along the shaft length. This allows the catheter to change its effective working length from a first configuration to a second configuration, enabling adaptation to different access routes (femoral vs radial) without requiring multiple separate catheter devices. The shuttle can be selectively positioned to provide different shaft lengths suitable for different vascular access points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter is designed as a universal device that can perform multiple functions across different access routes. By incorporating the adjustable shaft length mechanism, a single catheter design can serve both femoral access (shorter working length) and radial access (longer working length) applications, eliminating the need for separate specialized catheters for each access type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If a fixed catheter shaft length is used, then the manufacturing and inventory management is simplified, but the ease of operation for different access routes is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidoperational flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter incorporates a movable shuttle mechanism that enables dynamic adjustment of the shaft length during use. The shuttle can be repositioned along the catheter shaft to provide different working lengths, offering operational flexibility for different access routes while maintaining a single manufacturing process for the base catheter design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple catheter configurations are maintained for different accesses, then each configuration can be optimized, but the loss of time for selecting and switching between configurations increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptimization for specific accessVSAvoidtime for configuration selection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter employs a movable shuttle that can be repositioned during the procedure to change the effective shaft length. This eliminates the need to select between multiple pre-manufactured catheter configurations, as the single catheter can be dynamically adjusted to the appropriate length for the chosen access route, saving time during patient procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Length of moving object

If the catheter shaft is made longer for radial access, then the reach to renal artery is improved, but the manipulation and torque transmission becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter shaft lengthVSAvoidtorque transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter uses a movable shuttle mechanism that allows the effective working length to be adjusted based on the access route. For radial access requiring longer reach, the shuttle can be positioned to extend the shaft length. For femoral access where shorter length provides better操控性, the shuttle can be repositioned to reduce the effective length, thus optimizing both reach and maneuverability as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20240206966A1Catheter with adjustable working length catheter shaft

Publication Date: 2024.06.27 MEDTRONIC IRELAND MFG UNLIMITED CO

AI summary

Various embodiments of catheters are disclosed. In one aspect, a catheter includes a catheter shaft actuator (e.g., a catheter handle) and a catheter shaft, where the working length of the catheter shaft is adjustable, and where this working length is defined between distal ends of the catheter shaft actuator and catheter shaft, respectively. In another aspect, a catheter includes a catheter handle and a shuttle to which a catheter shaft may be secured, with the shuttle being movable relative to at least a distal end of the catheter handle. In another aspect, a catheter includes a catheter shaft, a catheter shaft actuator that is movably mounted on the catheter shaft, and a housing, where the catheter shaft extends proximally to the housing, where a generator cable extends proximally from the housing, and where the catheter shaft actuator is disposable distally of the housing along the catheter shaft.