Balloon Catheter Loading Tool with Axial Slits
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices and manufacturing methods for balloon catheters often require direct handling of the balloon, which can compromise pharmacological coatings or stents, and existing tools do not adequately minimize contact with the balloon during procedures like guidewire loading and valve insertion.
Innovation Solution
A loading tool with a tubular member featuring a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a necked down region with axial slits, allowing minimal contact with the balloon by providing structural support and enabling the tool to shift between elongated and shortened configurations for reduced contact and easy removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If direct handling of the balloon is used during manufacturing and procedures, then ease of operation is improved, but the pharmacological coatings or stents on the balloon are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The loading tool serves as an intermediary device between the operator and the balloon catheter. The tubular member with axial slits allows the operator to manipulate and load the balloon without direct contact, thereby protecting the pharmacological coatings while maintaining ease of operation. The tool enables guidewire loading and valve insertion procedures without the operator needing to handle the balloon directly.
2Reliability
If a rigid loading tool is used to provide structural support during valve insertion, then reliability is improved, but the tool cannot be easily removed from the catheter shaft
Solution Approach 1:
The loading tool transitions from a rigid state during insertion to a flexible state during removal. The axial slits in the tubular member allow the tool to flex and conform to the catheter shaft during insertion, providing structural support. During removal, the slits enable the tool to expand or deform, facilitating easy extraction from the catheter shaft without damaging the balloon or catheter.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a loading tool with minimal contact design is used, then protection of pharmacological coatings is improved, but structural support for valve insertion is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The loading tool distributes contact points locally rather than having continuous contact along the balloon length. The axial slits create discrete contact zones that provide sufficient structural support at critical points during valve insertion while minimizing overall contact with the pharmacological coating. This localized support approach protects the coating while maintaining necessary mechanical strength.
4Ease of manufacture
If the tubular member has a uniform diameter, then manufacturing is simplified, but the tool cannot shift between elongated and shortened configurations for reduced contact
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular member is segmented by the axial slits that divide the wall structure into multiple sections. This segmentation allows the tool to shift between elongated and shortened configurations by enabling the segments to move relative to each other. The necked down region further divides the structure, creating distinct zones that can independently deform. This segmented design reduces contact with the balloon while remaining manufacturable through standard forming processes.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include a loading tool (210). The loading tool may include a tubular member that is configured to be disposed about a balloon catheter. The tubular member may include a distal portion (212) and a proximal portion (214). The tubular member may be configured to shift between a first configuration and a shortened configuration.