Balloon Catheter Wing Layout to Prevent Protrusion Catching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing balloon catheters with protrusions on their outer surface face reduced insertability due to wings covering the protrusion vertices when deflated, leading to increased outer diameter and potential catching during insertion.
Innovation Solution
The balloon catheter design features protrusions with wings that are disposed between adjacent protrusions in the circumferential direction, allowing the wings to elastically deform inward and reducing the likelihood of catching on vessel walls, thus maintaining insertability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the wings are disposed to entirely cover the protrusions when the balloon is deflated, then the protrusions are protected, but the outer diameter of the balloon increases and insertability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon surface is segmented into distinct regions: protrusion-covered regions and wing-disposed regions. The wings are strategically positioned only in circumferential intervals between protrusions rather than covering the entire balloon surface, achieving protection where needed while maintaining insertability in protrusion areas.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the balloon are given different functional qualities. The protrusion regions maintain a smaller outer diameter profile for easy insertion, while the wing regions provide protection and structural support. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction between protection and insertability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the wings are disposed to entirely cover the protrusions when the balloon is deflated, then structural support is improved, but the contour of the balloon is located outer than vertexes of the protrusions by a thickness of the wings
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon structure is segmented into protrusion regions and wing regions. Wings are disposed only in circumferential intervals between protrusions, creating a segmented pattern that provides structural support where needed while maintaining a compact contour at the protrusion vertices.
Solution Approach 2:
The wing disposition transitions from a full-surface coverage approach to a selective circumferential interval approach. By positioning wings only between protrusions rather than covering the entire surface, the structure gains support stability while the contour dimension at protrusion vertices remains compact.
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 design enhances the balloon's insertability by minimizing the outer diameter increase and reducing the chances of protrusion vertices catching on vessel walls, ensuring smooth and efficient insertion.
Implementation Method 1
The wing may include a bending portion that may be bent to protrude in the circumferential direction. The bending portion may allow elastic deformation of the wing in the radial direction.
Data Source
AI summary
A balloon catheter includes an inflatable and deflatable balloon and linear protrusions that protrude from a surface of the balloon and extend in an axial direction of the balloon along the surface of the balloon. Multiple protrusions are disposed at intervals in a circumferential direction of the balloon. The balloon includes wings that are formed when the balloon is deflated. The wings protrude outward in the radial direction of the balloon. The wings extend in the axial direction of the balloon. Each wing is disposed such that the entire wing is located between the protrusions that are adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the balloon in a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction.