Balloon Catheter Bending Adjustment with Steering Handle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing balloon catheters face difficulties in accurately bending and fixing the catheter tip at desired angles for effective sinusitis treatment due to limitations in flexibility and positioning.

Innovation Solution

A balloon catheter design featuring a bending adjustment part with a ring and wire mechanism, a steering handle, and a rotation stopper allows for precise bending and fixation of the catheter tip, along with a balloon moving part and fluid supply system to ensure accurate placement and inflation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional balloon catheter is used, then the catheter can be inserted into the nasal cavity, but it is difficult to bend and fix the catheter tip at a desired angle for accurate sinusitis treatment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter positioningVSAvoidcatheter tip angle control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter incorporates a bending adjustment mechanism with a steering handle that allows the catheter tip to be dynamically bent to desired angles during insertion. The steering handle can be rotated to adjust the bending angle, enabling precise positioning at various angles rather than being fixed at a single angle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter is divided into functional segments including a bending adjustment part with a ring and wire mechanism. The wire extends through the catheter body and connects to the steering handle, allowing independent control of the catheter tip angle while maintaining the integrity of other catheter sections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the catheter structure is made more flexible for bending, then positioning accuracy improves, but the structural stability and strength may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebending adjustmentVSAvoidcatheter structural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter utilizes a flexible wire structure that can be bent and shaped while maintaining sufficient strength. The wire is embedded within the catheter body, providing flexibility for bending adjustment while the surrounding catheter material maintains structural integrity and strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The bending adjustment mechanism allows the catheter to transition between different bent states dynamically. The steering handle can be rotated to change the bending angle, and the wire structure maintains structural strength while accommodating these dynamic shape changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If a bending adjustment mechanism is added to the catheter, then positioning precision improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter tip positioningVSAvoidcatheter structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bending adjustment mechanism is segmented into distinct components: a ring part fixed at the catheter tip, a wire extending through the catheter body, and a steering handle. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while keeping the overall design relatively simple and manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wire acts as an intermediary element that transmits the rotational motion from the steering handle to the catheter tip, enabling bending adjustment. This simple intermediary mechanism achieves precise positioning without requiring complex actuation systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the steering handle is made rotatable for angle adjustment, then adaptability improves, but the risk of over-rotation and positioning errors increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangle adjustment rangeVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter incorporates a rotation stopper that provides tactile feedback when the steering handle reaches its rotational limit. This feedback mechanism prevents over-rotation and positioning errors by alerting the operator when the desired angle has been achieved or when further rotation would be harmful.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The rotation stopper uses a mechanical blocking mechanism instead of electronic sensors or complex control systems. The stopper physically prevents the steering handle from rotating beyond a predetermined angle, providing reliable positioning control through simple mechanical means.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10737064B1Balloon catheter

Publication Date: 2020.08.11 IMEDICOM

AI summary

A balloon catheter is provided, which includes a balloon guide tube, a balloon moving part, and a bending adjustment part for bending an end of the balloon guide tube, wherein the bending adjustment part includes first and second wires of which one ends are fixed to a ring part, respectively, and a steering handle to which the other ends of the first and second wires are fixed, the central portion of the steering handle is positioned on an extension line from a center line of the balloon guide tube, the other ends of the first and second wires are respectively inserted into wire guide holes of the steering handle formed at a same distance from the central portion of the steering handle, and a plane formed by the first and second wires is perpendicular to the central portion of the steering handle.