Balloon Catheter Integral Dilation Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional balloon catheters face challenges in effectively dilating hardened and calcified stenosed regions due to limitations in adhesive attachment methods for dilation wires or beads, which can lead to detachment and reduced efficacy, and integral dilation elements are limited by the material properties of the balloon, hindering effective pressure focusing for stenosis dilation.
Innovation Solution
A balloon catheter with integral dilation elements made from the same material as the balloon wall, featuring specific cross-sectional shapes such as trizoid, trapezoid, or triangle designs, which enhance the area and polar moment of inertia to resist bending and torsional loads, improving the ability to focus pressure and crack hardened stenoses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If adhesive attachment methods are used for dilation wires or beads, then the balloon can apply focused pressure to dilate stenosed regions, but the adhesive may detach during expansion reducing efficacy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the dilation element and balloon wall into a single integral structure made from the same material. This eliminates the adhesive interface that causes detachment, while maintaining the ability to focus pressure on stenosed regions through the geometric design of the integral dilation elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the same material for both the balloon wall and dilation elements, creating a composite structure that behaves as a unified system. This material integration ensures that the dilation elements remain firmly attached during balloon expansion while still providing focused pressure to crack and dilate hardened stenoses.
2Reliability
If integral dilation elements are used, then adhesive detachment risk is eliminated, but the material properties of the balloon limit the ability to focus pressure effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating dilation elements with specific geometric features (protrusions, ridges, or beads) that concentrate force at localized points on the stenosed region. These geometric variations allow the integral structure to focus pressure effectively despite being made from the same material as the balloon wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the balloon surface by incorporating protrusions, ridges, or beads with specific dimensions and distributions. These parameter changes enable the integral structure to focus pressure effectively on stenosed regions while maintaining reliability through the unified material construction.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional balloon material is used, then the balloon can expand and contract, but the material properties limit the dilation elements' ability to resist bending and torsional loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite-like structure within a unified material system, where the balloon wall and dilation elements are integrally formed from the same material. This integral construction allows the dilation elements to resist bending and torsional loads effectively while the balloon maintains its ability to expand and contract for deployment and retrieval.
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 integral dilation elements effectively concentrate pressure on stenosed regions, enhancing the balloon's ability to dilate hardened areas by resisting bending and torsional loads, thereby improving the efficacy of stenosis dilation without the risks associated with adhesive detachment.
Implementation Method 1
The integral dilation elements effectively concentrate pressure on stenosed regions, enhancing the balloon's ability to dilate hardened areas
Implementation Method 2
featuring specific cross-sectional shapes such as trizoid, trapezoid, or triangle designs, which enhance the area and polar moment of inertia to resist bending and torsional loads
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3C
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A balloon catheter is provided for dilating hardened stenoses. The balloon catheter has dilation elements integrally formed on the outer surface of the balloon. The dilation elements have cross-sectional shapes that improve the performance of the balloon catheter.