Articulation Catheter Stiffening for Planar Distal Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheters face challenges in accurately locating and maintaining the position of the distal end, particularly during procedures requiring precise navigation and therapy delivery, as they tend to twist or torque out of the intended plane due to curvature within the vasculature.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating first and second stiffening materials on opposite sides of the catheter's lumen, aligned with a perpendicular plane, to maintain planarity and stabilize the distal portion, while steering lines deflect the catheter, ensuring alignment with the intended curvature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the catheter is made flexible to navigate through vasculature, then the ease of operation is improved, but the stability of the catheter's position is worsened as it twists or torques out of the intended plane
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into distinct functional segments: a flexible distal portion for navigation and a stiffer proximal portion for stability. The elongate body includes a distal portion with reduced stiffness to allow bending and a proximal portion with increased stiffness to maintain position, creating a segmented structure that resolves the contradiction between flexibility and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the catheter are assigned different mechanical properties tailored to their specific functions. The distal portion has local quality of flexibility to navigate vasculature, while the proximal portion has local quality of rigidity to maintain stable positioning. This spatial variation in material properties resolves the contradiction by optimizing each region for its specific requirement.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the catheter is made stiffer to maintain position, then the stability of the catheter's position is improved, but the ease of operation is worsened as it becomes difficult to navigate through curved vasculature
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into distinct functional segments: a flexible distal portion for navigation and a stiffer proximal portion for stability. The elongate body includes a distal portion with reduced stiffness to allow bending and a proximal portion with increased stiffness to maintain position, creating a segmented structure that resolves the contradiction between flexibility and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the catheter are assigned different mechanical properties tailored to their specific functions. The distal portion has local quality of flexibility to navigate vasculature, while the proximal portion has local quality of rigidity to maintain stable positioning. This spatial variation in material properties resolves the contradiction by optimizing each region for its specific requirement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the catheter deflected in multiple directions, then the adaptability is improved, but the planarity of deflection is worsened as it torques out of the intended plane
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter employs asymmetric structural design with stiffening elements positioned specifically to control deflection behavior. The asymmetric arrangement of structural reinforcements allows the catheter to deflect in intended directions while resisting unwanted torques, maintaining planarity during directional changes through asymmetric structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter incorporates preliminary anti-action by including structural features that preemptively counteract out-of-plane torques before they can cause significant deviation. The stiffening elements and asymmetric structure are designed to resist rotational forces that would otherwise cause the catheter to torque out of the intended plane, maintaining planarity during deflection.
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 solution ensures precise positioning and repeatability of the catheter's distal end, maintaining alignment with the intended plane during deflection, enhancing the accuracy of procedures like ablation and mapping by resisting bending out of plane.
Implementation Method 1
a first stiffening material and a second stiffening material spaced on opposite sides of the first lumen relative to a third plane of the three mutually perpendicular planes and extending along the first plane of the three mutually perpendicular planes, the first stiffening material and the second stiffening material being configured to maintain planarity of deflection of at least the distal portion of the elongate body
Implementation Method 2
a first steering line and a second steering line arranged on opposite sides of the first lumen relative to a second plane of the three mutually perpendicular planes and extending along the first plane of the three mutually perpendicular planes, the first steering line and the second steering line being configured to deflect at least the distal portion of the elongate body
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure may be directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods that include a medical device including an elongate body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and three mutually perpendicular planes. The medical device may include a first steering line and a second steering line and a first stiffening material and a second stiffening material. The first stiffening material and the second stiffening material may be configured to maintain planarity of deflection of at least the distal portion of the elongate body.