Balloon Catheter Retractable Sheath for Adjustable Length
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Solution Overview
Problem
Balloon catheters used in surgical procedures face challenges with sizing, as they either damage surrounding tissue if too long or are ineffective if too short, and drug-coated balloons experience premature activation and elution due to exposure to intravascular fluids before reaching the treatment site.
Innovation Solution
A balloon catheter with a retractable sheath and locking mechanism that allows for adjustable balloon length, combined with a mechanical stop to prevent balloon escape and a watertight seal to maintain the drug coating until the treatment site is reached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a balloon catheter is made longer to ensure effective treatment coverage, then the treatment effectiveness is improved, but the risk of damaging surrounding tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon catheter employs a retractable sheath mechanism that allows dynamic adjustment of the balloon's exposed length. The sheath can be retracted to expose only the necessary portion of the balloon for treatment, while keeping the remainder protected. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to adapt between different operational states: fully retracted for safe navigation, partially retracted for targeted treatment, resolving the contradiction between ensuring adequate treatment coverage and preventing tissue damage.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a balloon catheter is made shorter to avoid tissue damage, then the safety is improved, but the treatment effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The retractable sheath mechanism allows the balloon length to be dynamically adjusted based on treatment requirements. When needed, the sheath can be retracted further to expose more of the balloon for comprehensive treatment coverage. This dynamic capability ensures that the balloon can provide adequate treatment effectiveness when required, while maintaining safety by keeping unnecessary portions protected during navigation.
3Reliability
If a drug coating is applied to the balloon to enhance treatment effectiveness, then the therapeutic benefit is improved, but premature activation and elution occur due to exposure to intravascular fluids
Solution Approach 1:
The sheath acts as an intermediary protective barrier between the drug-coated balloon and the intravascular environment. It physically isolates the balloon surface from contact with blood and other fluids during navigation and deployment. By maintaining this protective barrier until the balloon reaches the intended treatment site, the sheath prevents premature activation and elution of the drug coating, ensuring that the therapeutic benefit is delivered only when needed.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a retractable sheath is added to enable adjustable balloon length, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a nested structure where the balloon is positioned within the sheath, similar to a nested doll configuration. This nesting arrangement allows the smaller balloon to be contained within the larger sheath structure, enabling compact packaging and simplified deployment. The sheath can be retracted along the length of the balloon, providing adjustable exposure without requiring complex mechanical mechanisms. This nested design achieves adaptability while minimizing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An intravascular balloon catheter device is disclosed having an inner member, an outer member disposed about the inner member and further comprising a balloon. A sheath is disposed about the outer member that moves relative to the balloon so as to selectively expose a first portion of the balloon for inflation. A clamp may be used to selectively secure the sheath at a desired position relative to the balloon wherein the desired position is less than full retraction such that a second portion of the balloon remains within the sheath.