Percutaneous AVF Catheter Alignment Using Asymmetric Electric Fields

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for creating arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) for hemodialysis are invasive, require lengthy maturation periods, and have high failure rates due to thrombosis, stenosis, and infection, necessitating a minimally invasive and efficient method for vascular access creation.

Innovation Solution

A percutaneous AVF creation method using catheters with directional signal sources and sensors to align and form a fistula between vessels, employing asymmetric electric fields for precise alignment and connection, allowing for smaller, cheaper, and easier-to-operate devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If open surgery is used to create AVF, then the fistula can be created with established surgical techniques, but the procedure causes significant surgical trauma and requires lengthy maturation periods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefistula patencyVSAvoidsurgical trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical open surgical approach with a percutaneous catheter-based system. Two catheters are inserted through small punctures in the skin and advanced to the vessels, where they create the fistula connection without requiring large incisions or extensive surgical dissection, thereby reducing surgical trauma while maintaining fistula creation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces catheters as intermediary devices that facilitate the fistula creation process. The catheters serve as mediators between the surgeon's intent and the actual vessel connection, allowing the procedure to be performed through minimal access while still achieving the desired vascular anastomosis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If percutaneous catheter method is used, then surgical trauma is reduced, but accurate alignment of catheters is difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical traumaVSAvoidcatheter alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a feedback mechanism where a sensor in the second catheter detects the directional signal from the first catheter, providing real-time information about catheter alignment. This feedback allows the operator to adjust catheter positions to achieve accurate alignment, overcoming the difficulty of aligning catheters through percutaneous access

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical alignment methods with an electromagnetic field-based alignment system. Instead of relying on physical guides or visual alignment through fluoroscopy alone, the system uses directional electromagnetic signals and sensors to achieve precise catheter alignment, improving manufacturing precision in the percutaneous approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If complex alignment technology is used, then catheter alignment accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter alignmentVSAvoidalignment system

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the catheters to serve multiple functions: the first catheter acts as both a delivery device and a directional signal source, while the second catheter serves as both a delivery device and a signal detector. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate alignment devices, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining alignment accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses electromagnetic field copying instead of complex mechanical copying systems. The directional signal from the first catheter is detected by the sensor in the second catheter, creating an informational copy of the spatial relationship between the catheters. This approach achieves accurate alignment without requiring complex mechanical or electronic copying apparatus

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

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

Facilitates quick maturation of AVFs with reduced surgical trauma and improved patency rates, providing a reliable vascular access site for hemodialysis.

Implementation Method 1

employing asymmetric electric fields for precise alignment and connection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAsymmetric electric field: Electric Field

Implementation Method 2

catheters with directional signal sources and sensors to align and form a fistula between vessels

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric field detection: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentUS20260096833A1Method for the percutaneous creation of an arteriovenous fistula (AVF)

Publication Date: 2026.04.09 STENT TEK

AI summary

This document relates to the apparatus and methods used in the minimally invasive creation of arteriovenous fistula (AVF). In particular, the invention relates to the creation of an AVF using catheters and an alignment methodology that is based upon detection of asymmetric electric fields. The invention finds particular application in vascular access (VA) in the hemodialysis (HD) population.