Atherectomy Catheter Cup-Shaped Cutter Particle Redirection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Atherectomy catheters face challenges in cutting both soft and hard tissues, and in directing cut particles towards the catheter-based particle collection structures, as particles tend to be displaced tangentially away from the cutter.

Innovation Solution

An atherectomy catheter with a rotatable cutting element featuring a cup-shaped surface and raised elements that redirect cut particles towards the axis of rotation or tissue collection chamber, allowing for effective cutting and collection of both soft and hard tissues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a rotating cutting element is used to remove material from a blood vessel, then the cutting element can effectively cut both soft and hard tissue, but the cut particles are displaced tangentially away from the catheter and away from particle collection structures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting effectivenessVSAvoidparticle displacement away from collection structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful tangential displacement of cut particles into a beneficial effect by using the cup-shaped surface to redirect these particles. The centrifugal force that initially pushes particles away is harnessed to guide them along the cup-shaped surface into the collection chamber, transforming the harmful dispersion into controlled collection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a cup-shaped surface with a specific curvature profile to redirect particles. The curved geometry of the cup-shaped surface, with its varying radius of curvature, effectively guides tangentially moving particles into the collection chamber while maintaining the rotational cutting action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Strength

If the cutting element is designed to cut hard calcified plaque, then effective removal of hard tissue is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting capability on hard tissueVSAvoidcutter structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the cutting element to perform multiple functions: the cup-shaped surface both cuts tissue and redirects particles, while raised elements on the surface provide additional cutting action for hard plaque. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for cutting and particle management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different surface characteristics to different regions of the cutting element. The cup-shaped surface provides smooth particle redirection, while raised elements provide concentrated cutting action for hard plaque. This local differentiation optimizes performance for both soft tissue and hard plaque without requiring entirely separate cutting mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10499947B2Device for cutting tissue

Publication Date: 2019.12.10 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

A catheter which includes a cutting element having one or more raised elements is provided. The cutting element has a cup-shaped surface at the distal end that may be smooth and continuous except for the raised elements. The raised elements have a surface that tends to direct cut particles of material towards one or more of the axis of rotation of the cutting element, the catheter axis, or a particle collection chamber. In further aspects of the invention, a cutting element oscillates in a direction roughly parallel to the axis of rotation of the cutting element.