Bidirectional Deflectable Catheter for Complex Vascular Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing deflectable catheters are unidirectionally deflectable, making it difficult to accurately position implanted devices at complex or distorted vascular sites, requiring multiple catheters and increasing surgical complexity and risk of complications.

Innovation Solution

A deflectable catheter with a sheath having a bendable section, anchored by first and second traction wires, and a driving mechanism that synchronously pulls and releases these wires for bidirectional bending, allowing precise positioning at complex vascular sites.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If unidirectional deflectable catheters are used, then the catheter structure is simple, but the positioning accuracy at complex vascular sites deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatheter structureVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter shaft is divided into multiple deflectable sections with independent control, allowing each section to be bent independently to navigate complex vascular pathways and achieve accurate positioning at distorted vascular sites

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter transitions from a fixed pre-shaped tip to a dynamically adjustable multi-directional deflectable structure, enabling real-time repositioning and adaptation to complex vascular anatomy through controlled bending of multiple sections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If multiple pre-shaped catheters are prepared, then the positioning accuracy improves, but the device quantity and surgical complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidcatheter selection flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

A single catheter integrates multiple deflection capabilities and adjustable configurations, replacing the need for multiple specialized pre-shaped catheters while maintaining the ability to adapt to various vascular paths and lesion locations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If unidirectional deflection is used, then the catheter manufacturing is simple, but the operational efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatheter productionVSAvoidsurgical efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter is segmented into multiple deflectable sections that can be controlled independently, enabling complex positioning maneuvers in a single procedure and eliminating the need for multiple catheter exchanges, thereby improving surgical efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Measurement precision

If multiple catheter adjustments and substitutions are made, then the positioning accuracy improves, but the surgical time and complication risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidsurgical time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The dynamically adjustable multi-section deflectable structure allows real-time repositioning and angle adjustment without catheter substitution, reducing surgical time and minimizing the risk of complications associated with multiple interventions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Facilitates accurate positioning of implanted devices at complex vascular sites with reduced catheter adjustments and replacements, simplifying surgery and minimizing the risk of surgical complications.

Implementation Method 1

a sheath (10) having a bendable section (11); a first traction wire (21) anchored to the bendable section (11) of the sheath (10); a second traction wire (22) anchored to the bendable section (11) of the sheath (10)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4272795B1Adjustable bent catheter
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 LIFETECH SCI (SHENZHEN) CO LTD
  • EP4272795B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4272795B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4272795B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A deflectable catheter is provided with a sheath having a bendable section, a first traction wire and a second traction wire anchored to the bendable section of the sheath, and a driving mechanism configured to pull and release the first/second traction wire, wherein when the driving mechanism pulls either of the first traction wire and the second traction wire to bend the sheath towards the side of the pulled traction wire, the other traction wire is correspondingly released, so that the sheath is bidirectionally bendable at its bendable section in at least two directions of the sheath. In this way, the requirements for interventional treatment of complex lesion sites with vascular distortion and varied vascular opening positions may be fully met, and the frequency of catheter adjustments and replacements by clinical operators can be greatly reduced, thereby facilitating the operation and reducing the risk of complications.